Have a Smoke-Damaged Home? Here’s Why You Need an Expert Cleaning Crew

Anyone who has ever experienced a house fire knows the tragedy all too well. The loss of sentimental items like family photos, the shock and mental trauma of seeing your home in flames, and the structural damage can be devastating. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there. 

Even after the flames have been extinguished and debris has been removed, dangers still exist. Smoke leaves behind persistent odors and, more importantly, harmful toxins that can pose serious health risks if not promptly addressed by a professional cleaning crew.

At The BioClean Team, we understand that it’s a stressful and emotional time, and we recognize the risks. That’s why we provide comprehensive smoke damage cleanup services to restore your home to its pre-damage condition. 

In this article, we’ll explore the dangers of smoke damage and why you need to hire experts to handle the job.

LEADING CAUSES OF HOME FIRES 

Every year, there are more than 300,000 house fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), leaving in their wake injury, death, and destruction.

Many of these fires trace back to the kitchen. According to USFA, cooking remained the leading cause of residential building fires between 2014 and 2023. In 2023 alone, there were 167,800 cooking fires in homes, resulting in a loss of roughly $573 million.

Additional causes of home fires, based on USFA’s 2023 national estimates, include: 

  • Heating fires (27,900)
  • Electrical malfunction fires (23,700)
  • Other unintentional, careless fires (31,500)

Of course, wildfires also pose a threat to homes in California. Over the years, it appears that the wildfire cycle has become increasingly extreme.

WHY IS SMOKE DAMAGE SO DANGEROUS? 

Once a house fire starts, it can quickly spread and cause severe damage. Unfortunately, even after the fire is out, the health hazards still linger in the smoke residue. 

It can be harmful to stay in a home with smoke damage because of the highly toxic and carcinogenic particles, chemicals, and gases that smoke leaves behind. These dangerous particles can become embedded in furniture, HVAC systems, walls, and carpets, making them difficult to detect and remove.

Exposure to the smoke residue and toxic air can lead to a number of health problems, including respiratory issues like shortness of breath and coughing, irritated eyes, lung damage, and an increased risk of cancers.

The longer smoke and soot are left untreated, the more damage they can cause to air quality and surfaces in the home. That’s why time is of the essence when dealing with smoke damage.

WHAT WILL THE CLEANING CREW DO? 

Improper cleaning can leave harmful residues behind and spread contaminants, so it’s important to hire a certified cleaning crew that is expertly trained in smoke cleanup.

To protect both your well-being and your home, the experts will immediately begin a multi-step process that complies with industry standards. These steps are:

  1. Gather information. The crew will gather as many details about the fire as possible to make sure they arrive quickly with the right tools.
  2. Create an action plan. To do this, the crew will inspect the property to assess fire, smoke, and soot damage. If necessary, they can test the ash to justify the cleaning to the insurance company or management.
  3. Secure the property. The team will make sure your home is protected by boarding up windows, walls, and tarping the damaged roof.
  4. Address water damage. If there’s water damage, the professionals will remove the water and use specialized equipment to dry the area thoroughly.
  5. Remove smoke and soot. The crew will use advanced techniques and equipment to clean smoke and soot from walls, ceilings, and surfaces.
  6. Clean and deodorize. They will then restore items and structures, remove any odors, and sanitize the home using industrial equipment.
  7. Repair and restore. The team will then repair damage, whether it’s minor fixes or major reconstruction, and restore your home to pre-fire condition.

REMAIN CAUTIOUS 

We understand that you’re eager to enter your home, assess the damage, check on your personal belongings, and begin putting your life back in order. However, it is important to remain cautious while you’re waiting for help to arrive. This means:

  • Wait for officials to give you the go-ahead before approaching your home.
  • Watch for any electrical hazards and debris.
  • Take photos from a safe distance.
  • Open windows and doors to help air out your home and remove the smell of smoke, if your home is safe to enter.
  • Do not attempt to enter or move anything until the officials have deemed it safe to do so.
  • Do not stay in your home if a cleaning crew has not addressed the smoke damage. Remember, the air is toxic.

If you’ve experienced a home fire, we are here for you and ready to help. Our technicians have the skills and tools needed to restore your home’s safety as quickly as possible. Call now!

Call The BioClean Team Today