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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

The Blaze Started in a Second -- Who Can I Count on to Restore Fire Damage in Chicago Quickly?

7/26/2020 (Permalink)

Flames erupting from window in burning home “Like it never even happened.”

Rely on Your Local SERVPRO to Respond Promptly and Manage Chicago Fire Damage Fast

A moment of inattention can throw your Chicago home into chaos, fire flaring after a pot boils dry or bubbles over, or children playing with the fireplace matches set paper ablaze. Even if you bring the fire under control with an extinguisher, the effects can linger and be much harder to resolve than you ever knew possible.

How Are Fire Residues Different Than Other Dirt and Grime?

When structural components and the contents of your Chicago home suffer fire damage, restoration needs professional intervention. Because of the chemical changes occurring during combustion, burned items transform into smoke holding solid incompletely combusted particulates -- soot -- that settle, adhere, and stain surfaces throughout your home. Your HVAC system and superheated air current team up to spread the soiling far from the ignition site, so the entire house needs inspection and treatment.

What Are the Challenges to Removing Soot Residues?

SERVPRO technicians delve deep into scientific theories developed to break the bond between soot and surface during coursework at the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). On-site, they put these theories to the test. Three broad types of soot respond well to the following products and techniques:

    •    Loose, ashy soot (paper and wood fueled)
    •    Brushing
    •    Vacuuming
    •    Dabbing with a dry (chemical) sponge
    •    Foam cleaning

Thick, sticky soot (plastic, rubber, synthetic fabric fueled)
    •    Cleaning products matched for effectiveness through testing
    •    Spray and wipe
    •    Immersion of loose items if durable
    •    Addition of abrasive substances into cleaning solution
    •    Use of abrasive tools -- gently -- to loosen stubborn residues

Protein-based soot (food and grease fueled)
    •    Solvents
    •    Carefully used scraping and abrasive tools
    •    Immersion or ultrasonic cleaning if available

We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City, on duty to set things right after a household fire. Contact us 24/7 at (773) 337-3993.

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