Checking Your Home after a Fire

A fire is one of the most devastating damages that can strike your home. Though it is not too common, it can occur unexpectedly in any house and wreck untold damage. And the fire damage can spread even to rooms that aren’t reached by the flames.

The three types of common fire-related damages are:

  1. Damages due to flames.
  2. Damages due to smoke.
  3. Damages caused by substances and in the act of extinguishing the fire.

In the unfortunate situation of a fire in your home—and after the fire has been extinguished—one of the first tasks you should undertake is to assess the magnitude of damage and what items have been lost in the fire.

You should also speak with your insurance company, find out what is covered, and document the damages comprehensively for commensurate compensation.

So how do you check your home after a fire?

1) Begin by assessing structural damages

The first check you make after a fire is on the structure of the building. Before you or anyone else can re-enter the house, confirm that its foundation and overall structure is safe.

Do a walk-through to check for cracks in the foundation, damage to power lines, sagging of the ceiling, and breaks in the floor.

And if there are structural damages, have a professional secure the building before any fire damage restoration work begins.

Structural damages are checked in two stages: assessing the exterior, and then examining the interior of the home for damages.

How do you check for damages on the exterior?

  1. Inspect the area around the building before entering it.

    Look for damaged gas lines, loose power lines, missing support beams, or foundation cracks.

    If you find any of these damages outside, it indicates a serious problem inside.

    In that case, have the home checked by a building contractor or inspector before entering it.

  2. Assess the door’s position.

    Don’t force your way through if the door is jammed—it could be supporting the rest of the building. So find an alternative route in.

  3. Sniff for gas.

    Don’t move in if there is smell of natural gas or propane, or if you hear a hissing noise.

    Instead, leave the property right away and have the fire department check the situation inside.

  4. If you use a propane tank, turnoff all its valves. Then contact the supplier to check it before you can use it again.

  5. If the locks are damaged, take them apart and wipe them with oil.

    For locks that can’t be removed, squirt machine oil through a keyhole or bolt opening, then distribute the oil by working the knob. Also clean and oil the hinges.

How do you check for damages on the interior?

  1. Be on the lookout for animals like snakes, rodents, spiders, and insects that might have entered your home while you were away.

    Tap loudly and repeatedly on the floor with a stick as soon as you are inside so they know you’re back.

  2. Various objects inside your home may be damaged and unstable. So handle them with caution and avoid leaning against, pushing, or holding furniture, stairs, and damaged parts of your building.

  3. A sagging ceiling is probably wet, heavy, and dangerous. So you need to bring it down as it will have to be replaced.

    Wear a hard hat and eye protection and use a long stick to knock it down, making sure to stand a suitable distance away from the damaged area.

    With the stick, poke holes in the ceiling starting with the bulge. This will let the water drain out slowly.

    Avoid striking the center of the damaged area as the ceiling may collapse all at once.

  4. Don’t walk through a sagging floor as it can collapse under your weight.

    Instead, use thick strong boards or thick plywood panels to bridge the sagging sections.

    Boards that can extend by at least 8-12 inches on each side of the sagging area are ideal.

  5. When a fire occurs during dry weather, open the doors and windows to allow air in and to dry and ventilate your home.

  6. The interior may be dark if power is out, but don’t use any open flame, including candles. Use a flashlight instead as you inspect the damage.

    Disconnect and check all appliances for damages before you can use them.

  7. Perform temporary repairs like bracing walls, covering holes, and removing debris. Keep all the receipts.

  8. Document the damage using videos, pictures, and notes. You will need to substantiate your insurance claims later.

2) Next, check for damages on utilities and major systems

  1. For the telephone, check if it is still on the hook and hang up any phones that aren’t.

    Pick up one phone, and then listen for a dial tone to find out if you still have a working telephone service.

    If there is no dial tone, unplug all the phones and plug in one at a time to listen to the dial tone. This will indicate whether the telephone itself is broken or your service is fully out.

    If the service is out, call the telephone company to report the issue and request for a repair.

  2. Turn off electricity from the main fuse box or circuit breaker if you see sparks, frayed wires, or smell of hot insulation.

    If there is a pool of water on the floor between you and the main fuse or circuit breaker, don’t step on the water as you try to reach the circuit breaker or main fuse.

    Instead, use a dry wooden stick to reach and turn off electricity at the circuit breaker or main fuse.

    If it is impossible for you to reach the fuse or circuit breaker, call a competent electrician to assist.

  3. The panel box may have breakers that have tripped. So check for tripped breakers in the box.

    Tripped breakers may indicate damaged wiring inside your home. But don’t try turning them on. Instead, call an electrician.

  4. Inspect fuses using a flashlight.

    Replace broken fuses with those of the same amperage rating. And avoid using an object like a strip of metal or coin to bypass the protection that the fuses offer.

  5. If there are damaged water pipes, turn off the water supply at the main valve.

    And if there is damage in the sewage lines, stop using the toilets, showers, and sinks. Call a plumber to fix the water, sewage, or drainage issues.

  6. If you’ve been using a heating oil tank system, turn off all its valves. Then, call a professional skilled in its maintenance to check it before you can use it again.

3) Now, check the state of your household items

  1. Handle household items safely and avoid mixing them. Items such as cleaning products may cause toxic fumes and other hazards if mixed.
  2. For spillages of chemicals that don’t pose health risks, wear rubber gloves and use rags to clean up the spillage. Discard spilled chemicals.
  3. Throw away beverages, medicine, and food exposed to smoke, soot, or heat. If food that was in the freezer still has ice crystals, you can use it. If it doesn’t, then discard.
  4. Examine your family keepsakes to determine what is salvageable. Then, organize and separate your possessions into piles to see what you need to submit to the insurance company for compensation.
  5. Open doors and windows, if possible, so that everything can dry out from the water used by the fire department.

4) Lastly, clean up your home

  1. Use soap and warm water to remove soot from the ceilings and walls. Allow them to dry completely before repainting.
  2. Add bleach in with your clothes to remove the smell of smoke.
  3. Wash all your kitchen items to prevent possible illness due to the smoke.
  4. Keep lists of everything that was damaged so you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Are you dealing with fire damage and need help? Would you like to work with a reputable fire damage restoration company that can be by your side in the event of a fire?

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we have a skilled, experienced team of fire damage restoration technicians that will help you with every fire situation, big or small.

Call us today for help with fire, smoke, and soot damage. For more information on fire damage restoration, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration.”

How to clean up after a fire in your home

After a fire in your home has been extinguished by firefighters, the process of restoration begins. But before you can do anything inside or around it, make sure the home is structurally safe. Remember, fire can cause both obvious and hidden damages in electrical wiring, wall supports, foundation, deck, roof, porch or entrance. 

Call a professional fire damage restoration service to assess the safety of the entire structure before you begin cleaning. Also, if the damage is big consider letting professionals clean it up as they have the experience and the right cleaning tools for the job.

So how do you clean up after a fire in your home?

  1. Beware of burned debris and ash

Your home may be structurally sound, but may not be chemically safe due to the burned debris and ash left behind after the fire. Burned debris and ash tend to contain harsh chemicals with potential to damage your lungs, skin or eyes.

For instance, if the chemicals in the ash land on your skin, they may cause a burn, rash, or skin irritation.  Also, if the chemicals come into contact with your eyes, they can cause eye damage. Plus, when inhaled, the chemicals may irritate and damage the lungs.

So protect yourself before you begin handling the ash and debris.  Wear long pants, long sleeves, protective shoes with closed toes, and an N95 mask. Equally, have your hands covered with thick gloves. 

Open all the doors and windows to allow in air. Enough inflow of air will dilute and clear some of the harsh chemicals and lingering smoke. And as you clean up the damage, take short breaks to help you get out to the open air.

  1.  Clean up the damage in a stepwise manner

Following fire damage, generally the entire home will be in such a state that it’s extremely difficult to clean it up. It is advisable to perform the cleaning in a stepwise manner for better efficiency.

So begin by removing all the debris and ash. After that, remove any standing water. Then, replace or repair areas with signs of water damage.  

Next begin removing soot and smoke particles from all the areas of the home. This includes clearing vents to get rid of any soot and smoke particles. It also involves a thorough cleaning of the HVAC system to make sure it doesn’t spread soot or smoke particles to other areas of your home.

You will then need to determine items to keep and those to dispose of. All clothing and household items that are burned or damaged beyond repair should be cleared. Of course, this can be an emotionally difficult step but necessary. Try and keep in mind that most of these items are replaceable. 

Finally, eliminate the smoky aroma and purify the air to improve air quality throughout your home.

  1. Cleaning interior surfaces

Begin interior cleaning by first inspecting various surfaces. As you complete the inspection, remove debris, trash and all undamaged items you intend to keep.  This will give you a clearer view of the floors, walls, and ceiling, and enable you to determine the extent of the damage.  

If there is standing water, remove it before you can clean the surfaces. You can suck up all the standing water into a vacuum and deposit it outside the house away from the foundation. But you can also elect to use a bucket or other container especially if there is only a small amount of water.

As with the water, you should actively remove all loose soot and other debris from the surfaces. Use a large shop vacuum to achieve this step. If there is any mold growth caused perhaps by the water used to put out the fire, contact a professional mold removal service to help with assessment and possibly the cleanup. 

Next you can begin cleaning the surfaces. Start by wiping them with a bleach solution to prevent potential mold and mildew growth. A mixture of 1 cup bleach with 1 gallon of water will effectively clean the surfaces without discoloration.  An alternative is to apply a homemade mixture of trisodium phosphate, bleach and warm water. These solutions work well for most hard and flat surfaces. 

To clean walls, floors and ceilings and remove soot and smoke, deploy a mixture of trisodium phosphate, bleach, and water. For this purpose, mix 6 teaspoonfuls of tri-sodium phosphate, 1 cup of chlorine bleach, and 1 gallon of warm water.  Then, put on rubber gloves before you begin using the prepared solution to wipe these surfaces.  

Begin at the floor, move to the walls, and work your way up to the ceiling, going one small section at a time. Avoid dumping water over large areas at a time and use small amounts of cleaning solution on limited areas. This will prevent mold and mildew growth. Rinse every small area with warm water immediately after cleaning.

Next, allow the cleaned areas to dry. You can use large fans and also open the windows to hasten the process.  Remember, the walls, floors and ceilings should dry faster to avoid mold and mildew growth. 

Also, if these steps are unsuccessful, avoid using harsher solutions if you don’t achieve the results you desire. Instead, contact a professional service to help achieve better results or to handle a more substantial damage of the walls or hard-flooring.

  1. Dealing with smoke and soot in salvageable items

Some furniture, clothes and home accessories that are only slightly damaged may have residual smoke and soot. If you want to salvage those items, quickly clean them of the smoke and soot.

For upholstered furniture that is saturated with water, save the wooden frame by stripping off the fabric and padding to prevent growth of mold and mildew. Then clean both the hidden and exposed components of the furniture with appropriate solutions.

If you intend to throw furniture and other items into a washer, have a professional cleaner tackle the stains and smoke odors. Ensure that only clothes labeled as dry clean are taken to the dry cleaner and that they are treated to remove smoke odors as part of their cleaning process. 

For soot-stained washable fabrics, follow the washing recommendations on the label. Ideally, these items should be cleaned using oxygen-based bleach and a heavy-duty detergent. And if some stains still remain after washing, mix a fresh solution of oxygen bleach with warm water and allow the items to soak for at least 4 hours or overnight before you rewash.

If there are washable items that are not soot-stained but smell smoky, you can wash them as usual though adding 1 cup of baking soda to the final rinse cycle. And if the smoky smell persists, fill the washer with water and 2 cups of baking soda, allow the items to soak overnight, and rewash as usual.

For leather shoes, clothes, and various accessories, wipe them down with a damp cloth soaked in plain water. Then blot dry. Allow all the leather items to dry, but away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Once dried, clean with a saddle cloth and apply a leather conditioner to restore their supple finish. For best results, secure the services of a professional cleaner to help you with leather and suede coats. 

Place papers and books that have a smoky smell in a large, sealable plastic container. Add a powdered odor eliminator and seal the container for at least 48 hours. Next, remove the books, smell them, and assess if the odor has been successfully removed. If the odor persists, reseal for a few more days.

  1. Cleaning the exterior of your home

Clean the exterior surfaces using a power washer. Alternatively, you can use a stiff brush with a mixture of water and borax or other safe cleaning solution. 

But as much as possible, avoid cleaning the exterior by hand as it would require a substantial amount of time. So instead consider renting a power washer or hire a professional if cleaning a large area.

After power washing, clean the porch, deck, gutters, driveway, sidewalks and windows. These surfaces tend to collect dust and other debris during a fire. A power washer will help you clean the areas well, but again you can complete the cleaning faster and more thoroughly by hiring a team of professional cleaners.

  1. Disposing must-toss items

After fire damage, there are often items that simply must be tossed because there is more damage than immediately noticed or there may be more extensive contamination. 

Generally, the 7 items that should be thrown out after a fire in your home are electrical equipment, burned clothes, large textiles, furniture and mattresses, cosmetics and toiletries, medicine, and food items.

Small electrical appliances, entertainment equipment, and other electrical devices must never be used after a fire before they are checked for heat and water damage. In fact, when not sure about their condition, it is advisable to toss them as re-using such items carries the risk of starting another fire.

It is not advisable to clean and wear burned clothes. The smoke and soot chemicals in them may irritate your skin. You may also inhale harmful chemicals into your respiratory system. Plus, they may carry the smell of chemicals used by firefighters, which may be harmful. 

Apart from clothes, larger textiles like rugs, bedding, drapes, and carpet tend to absorb smells and chemicals of smoke, soot, and firefighting chemicals. And because they are too large to clean effectively when burned or compromised, consider throwing them out if practical.

The potency of medicines can be affected by the heat, water, soot, smoke, and chemicals present in your home during a fire. So, check with your doctor but more generally throw away medicines and buy new over-the-counter drugs or request your doctor prescribe a refill.

Throw away all the food in your home during the fire, even non-perishable food as they will be compromised by the fire. Some food, like canned and sealed foods, may appear okay after a fire, but the heat from the flames will still activate bacterial growth. Likewise, water and chemicals used to extinguish fire can contaminate food. 

You must throw away food in open containers, rusting or bulging cans, charred food, food with fire extinguisher dust on them, and perishable food left at room temperature for too long. Also, throw away anything you suspect is contaminated and any food stored in permeable packaging like cloth, cardboard, or thin plastic bags.

Dependable, efficient fire damage clean up services

After a fire in your home, the subsequent clean up can be an emotional and stressful undertaking. That is why you need the help of professionals to manage the situation more safely and efficiently.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we offer emergency fire damage clean up services in Lecanto, Florida. We arrive quickly, help with safety inspections and cataloging of losses, and proceed to conduct a methodical and efficient cleanup.

You can trust us to provide sound advice throughout the process and to handle your home with utmost care. For more information on fire damage restoration, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration.”

What To Do After a Fire: A Homeowner’s Guide

A house fire can turn things upside down pretty fast. It is an emotionally terrifying experience, it can wreck untold damage to your home and possessions, and it can have a lasting psychological impact. But as with every other setback, taking the right, quick steps prevents further damage and allows for restoration of your property to its original, livable condition.

So what should you do after a fire?

  1. Contact your homeowner insurance provider

Soon after the fire has been extinguished, you should call your insurance company to get a claim number, the day and time when a claims adjuster will visit your property, and the permission to go ahead to begin emergency mitigation and remediation.

 Also, during the call, report about the fire incident and find out what will be needed to file a successful claim. The insurer may even provide you with resources to help you tackle the fire damage as they deal with fires often.

 Similarly, inform them you intend to document items damaged or lost in the fire for later reimbursement. Of course, an adjuster may have to personally inspect the damage before you can proceed, but photos are usually satisfactory in minor fires.

  1. Call a professional fire damage restoration company

Restoration professionals will help you through the recovery process and suggest the best steps to take based on the severity of the fire. Having an expert early in the process will mitigate the damage, ensure thorough cleaning, and reduce the overall costs associated with the damage. 

Soon after arriving, the professionals will do initial cleanup of burnt possessions, including books, furniture, articles of clothing, and other prized items. This step is taken to de-clutter your home. It usually also includes sorting through the items, and determining what items to save and those damaged beyond repair.

Generally, items burnt or directly exposed to the fire will be tossed, including medications, food, household items, burnt clothing, burnt books and paper. This is usually a difficult and emotional thing as most of the items thrown away have personal significance.

  1. Document the damage

With the help of the fire damage restoration professionals, you should now take inventory of damaged items. This will enable you to have a clear picture of what you have lost in the fire and what you ought to claim. 

The inventoried list should include damaged items and their purchase price, brand, and serial number, and other information that can help determine the loss. 

Keep track of all the receipts for housing, meals, clothing, toiletries, and other out-of-the-ordinary expenses you may incur during this period. The insurance carrier may reimburse the expenses and will need the receipts for that.

You should also cancel or suspend subscriptions or utilities, such as water, cable, electricity, internet, and even mail if you’ll not be residing in the home during the restoration period. 

Usually, emergency responders shut off utilities during a fire. But if you need them back on, you should check with the fire department before doing so as electricity can reignite a fire.

  1. Deal with smoke and soot damage

The heat and flames are not the only elements in fire damage. Usually, the adverse effects of a fire will reach every crevice of your home in terms of invisible smoke odors and visible soot.

In fact, even if the fire has been contained in a single room, it will cause damage in rooms far away from the flames. That’s because smoke has a tendency to flow from one room to another and cause as much damage as the fire itself.

Since fire damage restoration professionals understand the adverse effects of smoke and soot, you need them as early as possible to assess and deal with the smoke and soot damage. You can trust them to tackle the acidic soot residue and soot-related damage on various surfaces with utmost efficiency.

  1. Secure the property

Though your insurance policy will cover fire-related damages, any further damages or losses that occur after the fire is put out will not be covered. 

Therefore, have your home secured from vandalism, theft, and inclement weather. Have all openings boarded up and lock and secure all outside doors that survived the fire.  If you’re leaving the property, make sure all valuables are removed.

Timely, efficient fire damage restoration

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we are a premier fire disaster and restoration service based in Lecanto, Florida. We have a team of qualified and dedicated staff on call 24/7 to respond to your fire, smoke, soot, water, mold, and wind damage. 

And with over a decade of experience in the emergency restoration industry, you can trust us to restore your property to its pre-fire damage condition. For more information on fire damage restoration and other emergency remediation, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration.”

What Can Be Safely Salvaged After Fire Damage?

A fire outbreak in your property carries with it a huge destructive power. In a matter of minutes, it can burn up all your possessions. And in most cases, you will have to throw away quite a number of items that are irrecoverably damaged.

But there are also some items in your home that can withstand the fire damage.  Such items can be salvaged during the home restoration process, and can help minimize the psychological impact of the fire incident on your family. 

So what can you safely salvage after fire damage?

You can salvage any item that is strong enough to survive the heat and the flames without absorbing water and smoke. Some will be stained, but with a little cleaning you’ll restore them to a state where they can be used.

If you need help cleaning salvageable items after a fire, contact a professional restoration service. They will provide expert advice on how to correctly salvage items and how to get your home back to a livable condition.

  1. Clothing, curtains, bedding, towels

After the fire, you will be forced to throw away burned or charred textiles. However, for clothes, towels, curtains and bedding with only minor soot stains or water exposure, you can wash them thoroughly and use them. 

Put all the cloth items that have not burnt or charred into the washing machine, then add 4-6 tablespoons of tri-sodium phosphate and one cup of chlorine bleach. Use cold water to clean and rinse the cloth items.

Many of these items can get clean again and will be free from the smell of smoke and chemicals. Make certain to dry them properly before putting them back into use. And if washing fails to remove the smell of smoke from the fabrics, get the help of a professional odor removal service.

Just make sure to be careful when it comes to children’s bedding, clothes, and toys. Children generally have much more sensitive skin. So any chemicals on the fabric can irritate their skin.

  1. Glass and Ceramic

When comparing ceramic to glass, glass stands out because it can be salvaged easily. In case of a fire, glass objects are often not badly destroyed, but only get covered in soot, which is easier to wash away. 

Ideally it’s better to clean the affected glass using soap and vinegar, though professional cleaning may be necessary for best results. By nature, ceramics are porous. This makes them vulnerable to being damaged by smoke and water. But some ceramics that can still be used and restored by a professional cleaning service.

  1. Hardwood Flooring

Though hardwood floors are porous, they are usually protected by a coating and seal. So in the event of a fire, the coating may reduce the damage and prevent the smoke and water from reaching the porous portions of the hardwood flooring.

Therefore, unless they are completely burnt or charred, you can clean your hardwood flooring with soap, sand them down, and refinish them to their original state. And when necessary, you can get help from a professional restoration service to assist you salvage the flooring instead of spending thousands of dollars replacing them.

  1. Metallic items

Metallic items are some of the toughest in your home. Because metals have high melting points, they aren’t susceptible to fire and smoke damage. They are also easy to dry.

So while metallic items in your home will stain a bit, you can usually remove the stains by using simple vinegar and dish soap then rinsing the items with water. Once the items are clean, you can allow them to stand in sunshine for a few hours and then give them a fresh coat of paint. They should be as good as new.

Though a house fire can be devastating, salvaging some items can quickly restore a sense of normalcy after the fire. In most cases, you’ll be able to salvage items that are hard, non-porous and washable as they can survive the fire, smoke, water, and possible mold damage.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we work with homeowners to minimize the impact of fire accidents on their life. We will help you identify any items you can salvage, assist you through the cleaning and pack-out, and help you get back to your home after the restoration process. 

For more information on fire, water and mold restoration, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration.”

How do you remediate fire damage?

A fire in your property can be a destructive and overwhelming incident. It can damage the contents and structure of your premises, and leave you in horror and devastation. Plus, if it is not quickly attended, the destruction may be too much to recover from.

After a fire, it is critical that the damage is quickly fixed by trained and experienced professionals. This prevents exacerbation of the damages, minimizes loss of valuable items, and reduces the overall impact of the fire to the property owner.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we offer top-notch fire damage remediation services in Lecanto, Florida. Our technicians are skilled in thorough cleaning of fire damaged property, handling of items, and restoration of the property. They work methodically through all the stages, from scoping, contents inventory auditing, to decontamination, ensuring the home is restored to a livable condition.

So how do we remediate fire damage?

  1. Scoping and assessment

When our technicians arrive at your property, they first assess the home to determine whether it is safe to enter. Once they are satisfied that it is safe, they’ll begin a comprehensive assessment of the damage and establish the extent of remediation that is necessary.

Usually, some damages are obvious, but some are quite subtle—such as damages hiding under a plasterboard or soot tags on the walls. But our technicians are trained and experienced in assessing the damages effectively, separating recoverable from non-recoverable items, cleaning up the mess, and crafting a detailed scope for the remediation work.

  1. Inventory of contents

Since we normally undertake fire damage remediation as part of an insurance claims process, we take care to do an inventory of all the affected contents. Eventually, this gives you the peace of mind that none of your items is lost or neglected during the removal, cleanup and restoration processes.

We apply a detailed inventory program to classify and separate items and to determine what can or can’t be cleaned and recovered. We then give you the most accurate quote of the remediation of recoverable items, and a guide on making the insurance claim for any non-recoverable items.

  1. Cleaning of items

Fire can damage many items in your home. Some will be charred; some will have soot in their crevices; while others will have a lingering smell of smoke. After we have done the inventory, we’ll remove and dispose items that are too damaged to clean and repair.

But we’ll also remove items that have not been damaged and those that can still be recovered from the property for repair and cleaning. Removal of recoverable items prevents further contamination.

We’ll then clean them thoroughly to remove any contamination, soiling, and smoke odor and ensure they are in a condition to be returned once the home is restored. We are equipped to clean hard items like furniture, kitchen equipment, and appliances, and soft ones like clothes, curtains, linen, shoes, and soft toys.

The items are typically cleaned before your property is restored. So we will store them at our facility until we are done with the home restoration process. We have a spacious warehouse for storing all the items from various remediation jobs we undertake and we’ll ensure your items are stored safely and protected against scratches, bumps and the elements. When your property is clean, restored and ready, we return all the items.

  1. Property cleanup

We’ll begin our comprehensive cleaning process by removing damaged or burnt structural materials. This is usually in preparation for the necessary repairs. Removal of burnt building materials helps to get rid of a major source of soot deposits and eliminates potential particulates that may become airborne.

We also remove all debris that could get in the way of the restoration process by wiping, sweeping, and vacuuming. The removal of debris and soot will boost air quality and minimize airborne odors. 

Next, we clean the hard surfaces such as floors, bench tops, cupboards, walls, ceilings, lighting, furniture and other surfaces. We remove soot and other contaminants that have settled on them and clean them thoroughly.

Cleaning hard surfaces often requires multiple chemical wipe-downs, clean water rinsing, vacuuming, and pressure cleaning. You can count on us to do a meticulous job, leave all the surfaces fully restored, and have your indoor surroundings sparkling again.

If your carpets, curtains and other items have been ruined by the fire but can still be used, we give them special attention. If necessary, we shampoo and restore the carpets, and wash or clean the fabrics.

Lastly, we remove lingering smoke odor from your property by deodorization. We use specialized generators that can remove and dissipate odors from the air within hours, leaving your property smoke-free and odorless.

Trustworthy fire damage remediation

At West Central Equipment and Restoration we are skilled and experienced in fire damage remediation. We understand that you trust us to help get your property to a livable condition, so we make sure to do everything right to give you the peace of mind you need.

We’ll arrive as soon as you call us and begin the process. And at every stage, we’ll share with you the progress made and the condition of your home. Our focus is to restore your property and its contents to its originally high standard, making it fully functional as quickly as possible.

Do you need help after a fire damage? Or would you like a partner you can trust during such an eventuality? Call us today at +1 (352)-270-8417 to find out how we can help you at that hour of need. For more information on fire damage remediation, visit the site “West Central Equipment and Restoration”.

24 Hour Emergency Fire and Water Damage Restoration

You’re a business owner and you want to partner with a fire and water damage expert that can provide a quick remedy with the least possible downtime to your business?

Or you are a homeowner who cares about the comfort of your loved ones should a fire or water damage occur in your property?

If so, you can trust West Central Equipment and Restoration with your fire and water damage restoration. We offer a 24-hour emergency restoration service that will help repair and restore your home with minimal downtime and losses.

Need immediate help ?

A fire on your property is a scary and an ultimately destructive affair. Uncontrolled fire can quickly spread through the property, destroy valuables, and inflict immense structural damage. 

And since the fire is likely to expose and destroy your property’s water system, you can expect it to be accompanied by water damage, making the situation more overwhelming and stressful. And of course water can be absorbed by porous building materials, worsening the damage and causing mold growth.

So when your home or business is impacted by fire or water disaster, you need immediate help to mitigate potential damage quickly.  You also need the right calibrated intervention to tackle the soot, smoke, residual odor, water damage, and any other damages beyond the fire or water, including structural damage from the fire extinguishing efforts, together with smoke damage.

Having a trusted restoration company you can reliably turn to at the hour of need can make a huge difference. 

Why Go West Central 24-hour emergency fire and water damage restoration?

Working with a company that does all critical aspects of fire and water damage restoration will save you money, time and hassle. You’ll have trained experienced professionals assess the fire or water damage promptly, help you understand the extent and severity of the damage, and guide you to make the best decisions on how to restore your property.

Go West Central also uses the most targeted and advanced equipment to detect hidden moisture, extract standing water, clear smoke, soot and foul odor, and repair damaged areas. And critically, it will massively improve the chances of having your insurance claim fully covered.

In fact, as soon as your property is declared safe to enter after a fire or water, you can expect our technicians to quickly inspect the damages and make a full assessment. And if any parts—doors, walls, windows or sections of the roof—have been compromised by the fire, we’ll work to quickly to secure the property to protect your property from further damage.

You can trust the professionals at Go West Central to cover exposed access points, like missing walls, blown out windows, doors, holes in the roof to minimize both damages and expenses to your home or business.

Why Go West Central Equipment and Restoration ?

At Go West Central, we offer a full service 24-hour emergency fire and water damage restoration to homes and businesses throughout Florida and the southeastern United States. You can rely on our certified repair technicians that are trained in fire, soot and smoke damage repair to complete the necessary repairs after the fire, using proper protocol to carry out the repairs until you’re satisfied. Plus, we use powerful water extractors and dehumidification equipment to completely dry the affected areas

The goal of our 24-hour fire and water damage restoration is to protect your investments and your health. So our professionals will arrive as quickly as possible, contain the fire or water from spreading, minimize the damage, and effectively restore the damaged areas. We use time-tested, effective and successful restoration solutions.

Our technicians specialize in business and residential fire and water damage restoration, with training and experience on restoring salvageable items, minimizing the damage, speeding up the drying process, and accurate documentation of the entire process. That’s why we have earned the reputation as a trusted leader in fire and water damage, specialty cleaning, mold remediation, and so much more.

Want to work with a 24/7 fire and water restoration service that you can trust? At Go West Central Equipment and Restoration, you can count on us. We’ll respond immediately to your fire or water damage emergency. 

 

What to Do After Fire Damage in Your Home

Few things are as scary, destructive, and distressing as a house fire. In minutes, it can consume all the belongings you have acquired in a lifetime. It can destroy cherished items and wipe out the fond memories you’ve made in your home. Most of all, it can leave you physically and mentally exhausted, emotionally unsettled, and financially unstable.

You may not expect a fire in your home, but you should still prepare for the eventuality. Don’t be caught unprepared.

 At West Central Equipment and Restoration in Lecanto, Florida, we encourage homeowners to prepare and anticipate possibilities of fire damage in their homes.

From our experience in dealing with fire accidents, we’ve seen how much damage is prevented by just being prepared.

What should you do after a fire damages your home?

  1.   Make sure you are safe

With fire, you never really know when you will be hurt. Even when things look safe and clear, it can still be dangerous. That is why you must start with your safety and the members of your households.

When fire strikes, evacuate them to a safe place and stay away from your house until after a professional has assessed the situation and given permission that it is safe enough. Doing so will protect you from accidents due to unstable structures or harm from a fire that starts again after it appears to be out.

You must only move into your home again after authorities determine that it is safe. Avoid turning on gas, electricity, or water utilities; keep off cleaning smoke or soot damage; don’t move or start your vehicle if it has been damaged.

  1.   Make the right calls

You’ve moved to a safe place, but the fire won’t extinguish on its own. The next step must be to call the fire department to alert them of the fire and request immediate help.

You should alert utility providers (electric, gas, and water) as well of the fire.

If your family members are not with you, call to inform them of the incident. Where necessary, you should notify your children’s school to make teachers aware that your children are going through a difficult time.

You must also call your homeowner’s insurance company to begin the claims process. They can even arrange temporary lodging and offer a lot of support.

Additionally, call your fire damage restoration company to hurry over and get assistance with the situation.

  1.   Get a copy of the fire report

With the fire contained, the fire department will furnish a fire report that covers the specifics of the fire incident. The report will indicate the condition of the home, the time and date of the fire, who was involved, and the extent of the damage.

The fire report is a critical official document that is very important for insurance purposes. You must make sure to get a copy of it.

Apart from the official report, you must also document all the damage. Use detailed notes, photographs, and videos, and organize them in readiness for your insurance claim.

  1.   Protect your property

You’ve lost a lot already due to the fire, but you can still lose a lot more if you don’t protect your property.

Remember that the fire has rendered your home more vulnerable to the weather and unlawful entry.

Your insurance policy may require that you take steps to secure your home soon after a fire and may ask you for specifics during the claims process.

Board up the windows to prevent entry, looting, and exposure to the elements. Cover areas of the roofs damaged by the fire and reinforce the doors.

If utilities in your home aren’t safe anymore, make sure they are shut off and never turned back on again.

You should also call the local police department to inform them that your home will be temporarily vacant.

  1.   Deal with your finances

You will need to continue with your payments even if your home has been damaged or destroyed. If your valuable documents are trapped inside, and authorities certify that it is safe to enter, then go in to find the documents.

If you’ve lost any of your credit or debit cards in the fire, you should cancel them immediately and replace them. Do not disregard the possibilities of it being in the hands of other people.

You can also start the process of replacing important documents lost in the fire, such as passports, social security cards, birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and other equally essential cards or documents.

  1.   Clean up the mess

Your home will be a mess because of the fire and may need a thorough cleaning to restore it to its prime condition.

If only a small area is affected by the fire, you may clean it yourself. You will need to use tri-sodium phosphate mixed with water to wipe off soot from the wall. You will also need a vacuum cleaner to remove soot and extinguisher residue. Do not forget to open doors and windows to let air circulate in your house.

However, for most cases of fire damage, large areas and several items are usually affected. The damage can be much more severe than observed. The smoke, soot, and extinguisher residue can widely spread and be difficult to clean.

You will need to call a professional fire damage restoration service to assist with the cleanup and meticulously clean your carpets, rugs, curtains, and other items.

Fire damage is usually associated with water damage and mold growth. It is best to leave fire damage cleanup to a professional restoration company, as mold can spread quickly and must be removed properly to prevent health risks.

  1.   Recover your possessions

It is most likely that the items destroyed in the house fire are covered by insurance on a replacement-cost policy. Hence, you can expect to receive the actual cash value of the damaged items at the time of settlement and can recover the replacement cost after your insurer replaces them.

But for maximum recovery and to account for all the items, you will need to have a home inventory of your possessions. The detailed inventory should include the type, description, date of purchase, and cost of purchase of every item.

  1.   Protect emotional health

A fire in your house can cause intense emotions and severe stress.

After the fire, you should ensure that your emotional and mental health, together with everyone in your family, is also taken care of.

Be patient with yourself as you work through the stress. Seek support for members of your family experiencing difficulties.

Likewise, take care of your pets as their lungs can be damaged by smoke, and burns can hide under their fur. Have them checked by a veterinarian after the fire.

Working with a reliable fire damage restoration service

Once the fire in your home is contained, you will need your home restored to a habitable condition. You can’t do it by yourself. It is best to trust professional technicians to clean up the mess and restore your home to its previous state.

At West Central Equipment and Restoration, we are happy to work with Lecanto homeowners to help them repair and restore the condition of their homes after fire damage.

We have a pool of skilled and experienced technicians who will treat your property with the utmost respect and help salvage your treasured items. You will be satisfied and proud of the service we’ll deliver.

Want a fire damage restoration service in Lecanto, Florida? Give us a call today at (352) 270-8417 to benefit from the skill and experience of our competent technicians.

Cleaning vs. disinfecting/sanitizing: What’s the difference?

Germs are everywhere. They are in the air, soil, water, skin, bodies, and the objects and surfaces we touch. Some germs are useful, but many of them are harmful and can cause life-threatening infections.

How to minimize the problems associated with germs? Surfaces and objects need thorough cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.

Related but different terms

Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are best practices for maintaining a healthy, habitable environment.

However, while the terms imply the same thing, the processes are quite different and not interchangeable.

Understanding the difference between these terms is valuable in knowing what cleaning products to buy and how to use them, ensuring a clean and safe environment.

What is cleaning?

To clean means to physically get rid of dirt, debris, impurities, organic matter, and germs from a surface. Usually, cleaning involves washing or scrubbing surfaces with water and soap, detergent, solvent, or enzyme.

Cleaning does not kill but merely removes germs from the surface being cleaned. The process lowers the number of germs on surfaces and minimizes the risk of spreading infection. Because it does not kill germs, cleaning does not guarantee that the surfaces will be safe since some harmful pathogens may remain.

When is cleaning appropriate?

Cleaning is ideal for almost every surface as a first step in making it dirt-free and safe. The process may then be followed with sanitizing or disinfecting. Hence, every visibly dirty surface should be cleaned as soon as possible.

Apart from noticeably dirty areas, surfaces that are touched more frequently need regular cleaning. Surfaces like desks, phones, door handles, phones, light switches, and faucets need routine cleaning—likewise, floors, doors, windows, carpets, and restrooms.

When cleaning, a suitable material should be used to wipe or scrub the surfaces for a better outcome. For example, a microfiber mop is more effective for trapping germs and dirt than a cotton-loop mop. With a microfiber mop, bacterial contamination can be reduced by 99% compared to only a 30% reduction when a cotton-loop mop is used.

What is sanitizing?

To sanitize means to reduce the number of pathogens on a surface down to a safe level. The bacteria are usually killed using chemicals called sanitizers. Sanitization does not remove bacteria or dirt but kills and reduces pathogens after cleaning to minimize the risk of spreading infection.

A sanitizer is a chemical product that can kill at least 99.9% of germs on a hard surface.

A simple water and bleach solution can be a sanitizer depending on the bleach concentration in the solution. If the solution has a lower concentration of bleach or is highly diluted, it is a sanitizer. But when a higher concentration of bleach is used, then the product is a disinfectant.

In a sanitation process, a sanitizer is applied on a surface and allowed to sit for at least 30 seconds to kill the pathogens. The process is less thorough and does not kill viruses and fungal growth, but it kills bacteria quickly and is a great way to reduce pathogens from surfaces.

Sanitizing is a common part of routine cleaning and is done only on surfaces that are already clean.

When is sanitizing appropriate?

When dealing with surfaces that do not often come into contact with dangerous bacteria or should be cleaned without powerful chemicals, it is best to sanitize.

For example, children’s toys, computer keyboards, desks, telephones, and cooking tools should not come into contact with certain powerful chemicals, so it is best to sanitize them.

You can also sanitize spaces that are not touched often, such as long-term storage areas. Actually, for out-of-the-way areas, cleaning and sanitizing are usually sufficient between prolonged disinfections. And for surfaces that cannot withstand disinfectants, such as hands, sanitizing is advisable.

What is disinfection?

Disinfection means killing every form of microbial life from surfaces or objects. It uses chemicals or physical methods (usually heat) to kill nearly 100 percent of germs. So disinfecting a surface kills almost all the fungi, viruses, and bacteria, helping to lower the risk of infection.

A disinfectant is more potent than a sanitizer and kills 99.99% of germs on hard, non-porous surfaces or objects. Though this difference seems minimal, it can make a big difference in stopping the spread of infections. But since the overuse of disinfectants can result in harmful health and environmental effects, disinfection is not a common part of routine cleaning.

Disinfection is usually done to tackle serious messes involving body fluids and other biohazards. It can be done on sinks or toilets at home or on anything that comes into contact with dangerous bacteria and viruses. High-touch surfaces like faucets and doorknobs should also be disinfected after cleaning them.

When is cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting ideal?

For low-risk surfaces like floors and windows, the likelihood of pathogen transfer from the surfaces is low. Hence, cleaning alone may be sufficient.

Sanitizing is ideal for food contact surfaces and other sensitive areas that can be adversely affected by disinfectants. But since sanitizing does not kill viruses and fungi, disinfection is appropriate for frequently touched surfaces and areas that are likely to harbor pathogens.

Safe, effective cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfection

At West Central Equipment and Restoration in Lecanto, Florida, we offer a comprehensive cleaning and disinfection service for homes and commercial spaces.

Our trained and experienced technicians are equipped with approved, effective cleaners and industrial-grade disinfection gear to clean and restore your property. Plus, we provide you with advice on the right tools and solutions for routine cleaning.

Want to ensure a continuously safe and hygienic environment? Call us today at (352) 270-8417 for help with your home or property cleanliness and disinfection issues.