After fire damage it is natural to want to jump right in and clean the building and contents. Timely action can be a great help, but incorrect action can jeopardize or impede satisfactory restoration.

do....

• Clean and protect chrome trim on faucets and other brightwork by washing with detergent and applying a coating of vaseline or oil.
• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery draperies and carpeting.
• Open windows for ventilation if weather permits.
• Empty refrigerators and freezers if electricity is off, and prop doors open with a rolled towel or news- paper to allow air circulation.
• Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, tanks, sink and tub drains to prevent freeze damage if heat is off in winter.
• Call a plumber to drain and blow out all water lines if heat is off in winter.
• Remove pets to a clean environment if heavy fire residues are present.
• Send a sample group of garments for cleaning and deodorization in order to observe the results.
• Retain a contractor to board up open windows, roofs, or other penetrations in order to prevent additional damage,

do Not...

• Wipe or attempt to wash fire residues from walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
• Use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris.
• Use food items or canned goods exposed to heat.
• Turn on computers, TVs, stereos or electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and checked.

• Ventilate wet areas. Turn on air conditioning for accelerated drying in summer; in winter alternate cycles of opened windows and heating.
• Remove standing water from flat surfaces by sponging and blotting.
• Take up saturated rugs and carpets when hard-wood floors are at risk.
• Stay out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
• Transport computers to a dry environment, remove cases and blow dry with low pressure air.
• Remove lamps, telephones and decorative items from wet furniture tops.
• Open drawers and cabinet doors for interior drying, but do not force open stuck drawers or doors.
• Freeze valuable books and documents to retard mildew growth until drying can be performed.
• Place aluminum foil squares, china saucers or wood blocks under furniture legs to avoid carpet staining.

do Not...

• Operate TVs, vacuums or other appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors. Serious injury may result.
• Use heat to dry closed building interiors; mildew and expanded moisture damage may result.
• Leave wet fabrics in place; space them apart and dry as soon as possible.
  

Quality Residential recommends the following:

A. Foremost, consider safety:
1. Structural Integrity – Before entering a storm or flood-damaged structure, consider structural integrity, which may be impacted by the force of the wind on, or the force of the water entering the structure. When in doubt, obtain an evaluation by a licensed and qualified builder or structural engineer before entering.
2. Ventilation – Fresh moving air discourages the growth and amplifications of microorganisms. Open windows and door and air the structure out thoroughly.
3. Shock Hazards – Ensure that electrical shock hazards have been eliminated by turning off the supply of electricity (circuit breakers) to damaged areas. Anticipate that electricity may be restored suddenly without notice.
4. Personal Protective Equipment – Wear protective clothing, boots with steel or fiberglass shanks, and a hard hat. Protect yourself from injury or exposure to microorganisms.

B. Remove quantities of debris (silt, vegetation, floating objects brought in by the storm surge), if present, with shovels, rakes, etc. Carefully clean all tools with appropriate detergents after use.

C. Identify the source of water extent of wetting:
1. When wind-blown rain water enters a building, it is important to identify the route of entry and to trace its path, as possible, to identify all wet components (ceilings, walls, insulation, framing). Morocco Restoration uses specialized water-detection equipment and may be available to assist in the determination.
2. In rising water situations, typically there will be a visible water line on
drywall or paneling. However, water may migrate or wick upward within the wall material itself or within insulation behind the wall.

D. Remove unsalvable or wet materials:
1. When wetting is caused by storm damage and comes from overhead or around openings in the building envelope, especially when power has been interrupted in hot climates, it is important to remove wet components, as possible, to expose pockets of saturation to air circulation before microbial growth can occur.
a) Begin at the point of water entry and trace the path of wetting, removing ceiling and wall components and insulation as you go.
b) Professionals with specialized equipment to dry carpet, pad and sub flooring materials should be called. It is normally prudent to remove saturated carpet and pad.
c) It is highly recommended that solid or laminated wood flooring, or sheet vinyl be removed to expose pockets of saturation.
2. In rising water situations (storm surge with contaminated ground
water):
a) Remove and dispose of drywall, paneling or other wall
materials up to a point of 15-24 inches above the water line visible on the wall. If possible, stay within four feet of the floor to salvage as much wall material as possible, since drywall is usually installed horizontally in 4x8 or 4x12 panels.
b) Remove and dispose of wet insulation materials exposed during wall removal. Look for evidence of moisture wicking up insulation materials.
c) Remove and dispose of floor coverings; carpet, cushion, pad, felt, and sheet vinyl, laminate, or tile flooring materials.

E. Dry structural components with plenty of air circulation, while maintaining constant ventilation (weather conditions permitting.)

F. Leave cleaned structural surfaces exposed to fresh air movement for
several days or even weeks, or until you are sure that they have returned to within four percentage points of normal moisture content (MC) levels (generally the normal MC of structural wood is around 10%).

G. Reconstruct or replace components as required.