Cleaning Up from Fire Damage in Indianapolis

3/22/2016 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can be devastating for an Indianapolis home or business. A little grease fire in the kitchen can produce smoke and soot that spreads throughout the house sticking to everything in its path. The fire damage can be overwhelming but as long as everyone got out safely, your home or business and all your possessions can usually be replaced or cleaned. So once the smoke has cleared and the fire has been extinguished, what should you do?

The first thing you need to do is call your insurance agent to start your claim for the fire and smoke damage. You should work with your agent in hiring a professional Indianapolis cleaning and restoration company like SERVPRO of Indianapolis West. 

We specialize in fire and smoke restoration and can quickly access the damage and stop any further damage from happening. For instance, ash and smoke not only leave a strong odor behind but can also cause corrosion and etching that needs to be stopped before it becomes an even bigger problem. 

We will work with you and your agent to create a fire and smoke restoration plan that will quickly restore your Indianapolis home or business. When it comes to fire and smoke damage, timing is of utmost importance. So call your insurance agent and then call us if you live in the Indianapolis area including Avon, Plainfield and Brownsburg.

Now that you know what to do, here are a few things you shouldn't do right after a fire. 

• First and foremost, make sure you have permission from the fire department to enter into your home after the fire is extinguished. 

• If you have any electronics that were exposed to the fire or smoke, do not try turning them on. Not only could you be electrocuted or cause a new fire, the smoke and ash could cause further damage to the internals. We can examine your electronics and determine whether they can be professionally cleaned and restored. 

• Do not take or use clothes that have smoke odors from the fire. The odors can be transferred to your car's upholstery or to the home or place where you take them. 

• Don't try cleaning any walls, surfaces, fabrics, carpets or furniture as you could cause further damage. Smoke and ash require specialized cleaning solutions, tools and processes to remove.  It's best to leave everything untouched and wait for us to arrive to assess what can be cleaned and what needs to be replaced.

If you have questions about certain possessions or cleaning processes, we will be happy to answer them for you. We know a fire can be devastating and our highly trained restoration specialists will work hard to get your home or business and your life back to normal as quickly as possible.