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Faqs About Smoke Damage Cleanup

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Are you a recent victim of a home fire? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), between 2014 and 2018 there was an average of 353,100 home fires per year. If your home was one of the many annual residential structure fires in the United States, take a look at what you need to know about restoration services and smoke damage cleanup.

What Is Smoke Damage?

Fire singes carpets and tears through buildings. Even though the flames and heat can cause serious damage, smoke can also cause problems. Smoke residue and soot can affect your entire home. While the flames may not have reached every corner of the structure, the smoke may have. As it travels through the indoor air, the smoke can spread across the entire space. 

Not only can smoke impact your (or other household members') health, it can also damage furniture, flooring, and more. The acids in smoke can even tarnish metals in your home, such as kitchen hardware. It can also corrode exposed pipes — resulting in water damage. Beyond acidic corrosion, smoke can discolor home decor, appliances, fixtures, window coverings, furniture, flooring, and clothing. 

How Should You Clean or Remove Smoke Damage?

It's tempting to try a do-it-yourself smoke removal method. Fires are expensive. The damage to your home and the items in it can cost more than you would like to pay to restore. But this doesn't mean you should try to save money on a smoke cleanup. 

Smoke damage removal is a job for a professional. Even though you can wipe or scrub away minor damage on walls or replace items such as furniture and clothing, serious discoloration and an odd odor can linger. Fortunately, a qualified contractor has the knowledge, experience, and equipment necessary to effectively remove smoke damage and restore your home to a like-new look.

Who Should Clean Smoke Damage After a Fire?

Now that you know smoke damage restoration is not a DIY job, it's time to take the next step and learn more about the contractor who should help you after a fire. General damage and restoration contractors can provide some cleanup services. But you need to hire a professional who is skilled in smoke removal. Only a smoke removal service provider can assess or inspect your home for damage and effectively eliminate the issue.

If this is your first experience with restoration services, ask friends, family, co-workers, or other people who you trust for references. You can also ask the contractor for reviews. A qualified professional should provide future customers with detailed recommendations or reviews from past clients and possibly before/after photos of their work. Contact a smoke damage cleanup service for more information.


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