New Orleans, House Fires and Bad Smells, and a SERVPRO Solution

10/7/2019 (Permalink)

And the Firemen Ask: How did SERVPRO get here to this New Orleans House Fire BEFORE We Did??

Eliminating Smoky Odors After Fire Damage In Your New Orleans Home

Getting rid of odors is one of the most challenging elements of fire damage mitigation. This is because smoke seeps into upholstery, carpeting, clothing, and even wood, making it a pervasive smell. Experienced SERVPRO technicians employ a variety of cleaning methods and procedures to eliminate damaging odors.

Types of Odors
The type of odor from the fire damage in your New Orleans home determines what products or equipment is used to get rid of it. The surface that has been blackened by smoke also needs to be taken into consideration. For example, wood that has been penetrated by smoke molecules needs a solvent-based counteractant to mask the scent slowly.

Deodorant pellets absorb stubborn smells like a sponge which quickly freshen up a room. Water-based misters deodorize the air itself, using chemicals that can penetrate most surfaces to start breaking odor down at the molecular level. While the cleanup is in process, HVAC units should be turned off, and ducts closed. Eventually, after the cleaning agents break down the smells, the vents and fans in your home are turned back on to start exhausting the stench and bringing in the fresh air.

Sanitization and Cleaning
While the air and porous surfaces are being deodorized, the fire damage done to your furniture and belongings is assessed. Materials such as upholstery are uniquely affected by fire and smoke, and cannot be cleaned with water-based solutions. Dyes from the pattern may bleed in water. Related materials, such as rugs and dense fabrics, should also be kept away from water. SERVPRO specialists recommend foam cleaning agents and detergents, which not only eliminate unsavory odors but introduce pleasant ones into the room.

Any personal items or plants that are a part of the fire-damaged area need to be cleaned. Items that are ruined beyond repair are double bagged and disposed of swiftly. A combination of airing and cleaning can lift smoky smells from smaller items.

Eliminate smoke and odor before the effects of fire damage set in. Contact SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank at (504) 348-7526 for fast and efficient fire damage restoration.

The Westbank of NO is here.