A Guide for People Returning to Fire-damaged Homes

The American Red Cross website lists a few important things to remember when initially re-entering the home. First off, USE CAUTION. There is always the possibility of flareups much after the fire is gone. Also, stay away from electrical wires and outlets of any kind, particularly if water was used to put out the fire. Be especially wary of burned trees and power/telephone poles, for they may have lost stability and could potentially fall.

If a power line should fall within your proximity, hop away from the area, as you are less likely to be shocked if you are hopping as opposed to walking.

Make sure that you check for structural damage. A wall, beam, or ceiling could appear to be in decent shape, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will remain stable.

Obviously the best move is to call a professional cleaning service, such as ServPro, which hopefully your Homeowner's Insurance would cover the costs. If you rent, the first call should be to your Landlord so that you can assess the damages together. However, statistics show that in many cases, because of the current economic situation, many homeowners have lapsed home insurance and may not be able to afford a professional service. I have scoured the web and spoken to some individuals in this line of work, and although some damage may be unrepairable and uncleanable, there are some things you can do to get rid of soot and the smell of smoke after a fire.

As far as black surfaces, such as walls and countertops, a damp sponge with bleach should help get rid of (most) of the soot damage. Some say other helpful solvents are denatured alcohol and paint thinner for soot/smoke stains on surfaces. Obviously, these liquids would cause damage to wood, formica, and painted surfaces. If an item is mildly scorched, most surfaces can benefit from a light sandpaper scrubbing.

Before starting soot removal from carpeting, furniture, or textiles, you should replace all air filters and place cheesecloth over airvents so that smoke is not redistributed throughout the space. Then begin vacuuming the affected areas lightly and without actually touching the surface. Any soot or smoke stains that are treated with brushes or rubbed with vacuum extensions will only force the soot into the item.

Any removable upholstery, drapes, and clothing should be washed 1-5 times to remove the smell of smoke and any remaining soot from the item. However, most cloth covered furniture is likely a lost cause. There is really no way to properly clean and deodorize a fabric sofa or loveseat to the point that it is usable. (Aside from hiring professionals with the proper equipment.)

Many dry cleaning establishments are quite knowledgeable in the removal of these types of stains from certain fabrics.

As far as home electronics, check the devices to see if they operate. Items such as computers, DVD players and stereos could very well be affected by not only the heat, but soot and dust entering through the vents. Some of these items, if determined to be in working condition, can be taken apart and dusted with a dry cloth. Also, many electronics manufacturers' warranties will replace the item if the damage is great enough.

As far as the smoke smell, I was told that a common trick is to set several small, open containers of white vinegar throughout the home. Replace them every few hours, and within a few days the smell should fade. After that, once the carpeting is clean and dry, baking soda should be shaken lightly and vacuumed several times. Repeat this process once a day for a week, then shampoo the carpets.

Inexpensive rugs and fabric floorcoverings can sometimes benefit from pressure spray cleaning, found at most carwashes. After pressure-spraying, when the item is dry and clean, sprinkle the item with baking soda and vacuum several times.

Keep in mind that most aerosol air fresheners will NOT help rid the smell of smoke. After thorough cleaning, your best bet would be vanilla or sweet smelling candles or scented oil burners to mask the smell. Anything floral or musky smelling will only bring the smoke scent back.

Anytime you return home to find items damaged or destroyed there will be a large degree of stress and a feeling of helplessness. talk to your insurance adjuster or someone who has been through this type of situation and remember to remain calm.

Again, these tips are for the MILDLY damaged home. Under no circumstances should you try to self restore a severely fire-damaged home. If the damage is too great for these tips to help, check your local Social Services office for temporary assistance to help cover day to day costs after you pay for a professional restoration service (which can be upwards of thousands of dollars in some cases.)

So, to anyone dealing with this unfortunate situation, good luck and stay calm.