The fire damage left behind in a Toronto basement needs specific applications to remove the smoke damage, soot, and odor. Before the cleaning happens, several actions need to occur beforehand.
Charred items need to get removed first as they are a source of foul odors and have the potential to be a source of soot spread to other areas of the home. After that, the removal of the smoke residues begins.
There are two main types of walls in the majority of basements—sheetrock over the brick or cinder block walls and unfinished basements which have exposed masonry. The method for smoke residue removal from sheetrock depends on if it is dry or wet smoke. The use of solvent-based cleaners is necessary with wet smoke to release the grip it has on all types of surfaces. However, if dry smoke comes into contact with liquids, it can compound the situation. The correct method for removal is through the use of dry-cleaning sponges.
Masonry is porous, and during a fire, when the hot air expands, soot gets driven into the surfaces, and until it gets cleaned or neutralized, fire odors can remain present. A basement brick or cinderblock wall with smoke damage needs specially formulated cleaners.
One extremely powerful professional-cleaner has a formulation including a natural rubber that assists with the removal of dirt, soot, and stains leaving all types of masonry like new. The rubber as a liquid adheres to surfaces stains and residue and, after exposure to air, traps the particulate and gets lifted away. Many consumer-grade cleaners contain acids that pit and mar a surface as they clean.
Thorough attention to the removal of the charred items and soot goes a long way to avoid fire odors. Thermal foggers or hydroxyl generators are ideal choices for the neutralization of any remaining scents.
SERVPRO of North Mississauga helps property owners with the restoration of any size fire damage. Our certified techs are available 24/7, call us at (905) 238-7376