Fires can be devastating, leaving behind destruction and immeasurable hardship. If your home or business survives a blaze, it is important to have a professional inspect the property to find what’s salvageable and work on restoring the structure. The first step is removing irreparably damaged items. Water used to extinguish the fire could also have caused damage. You’ll also need a thorough inspection of the property to ensure no mold or mildew is forming because of the water damage and that no electrical or gas systems were harmed in the fire. Firefighters may also have cut holes in the walls while attacking the flames, which also must be repaired.

A thorough inspection isn’t just a quick walk around the property. The interior and exterior must be evaluated, including basements, attics, crawl spaces, and duct systems. This helps the technicians handling your restoration know what they’re up against and how much damage was sustained.

The next order of business is cleaning the soot out. That’s the dark powder left behind after fires, and it is highly toxic. Touching the carcinogen can lead to absorption through the skin, inhaling it absorbs through your lungs, and ingesting it absorbs through your stomach. It should be handled by a professional with the proper equipment, which protects its user against the cancer-causing material and ensures the material is removed correctly. 

Fire damage isn’t the only thing you’re up against, however. Smoke is damaging on its own. Microscopic particles from the smoke seep into the porous materials within your house, including fabric on clothing or furniture, walls, floors, and other soft surfaces. Carbon monoxide leads to discoloration of the materials it seeps into, and the smell of soot is difficult to remove. The particles can also aggravate allergies and lead healthy people to experience scratchy throats, stuffy noses, and itchy eyes. Over time, those particles can also lead to heart and lung issues.

Layering chemicals over the smell by trying a scented spray or candle or turning on fans to improve ventilation are only temporary fixes that don’t eliminate the particles causing the odor. That requires the work of a professional with special de-odorizing equipment that destroys the smoke molecules themselves.

When it comes to fire and smoke restoration, the quality of work impacts your everyday life on your property for years to come. The need for restoration work in the first place stems from stressful, challenging situations. That’s why it’s so important to contract with experienced technicians capable of the best quality work and who make the process as smooth as possible. McMahons Cleaning & Restoration is a locally-owned business operated by folks with over 20 years in the industry. Our experience ranges from small, older homes to ultramodern facilities. We’re here for whatever you need, whether an emergency restoration visit following a fire or preventative cleaning work to keep your home or business as comfortable as possible. Contact us today for an estimate or to find out more about our full line of services.