The Ultimate Guide to Crossville Fire Damage Remediation Services

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires increase as we approach the holiday season. Be safe! And call SERVPRO for your fire damage restoration needs.

Specialized Fire Damage Cleaning Training Is Why SERVPRO Comes Through for Crossville

You scored a fantastic price on a package of new appliances for your Crossville home just before the holidays. A kitchen fire has transformed the fresh look of these recent purchases into a dingy and sticky mess. Before you get out the bucket and brush to try to make them look new again, schedule a consultation with our talented fire residue cleaning team. Intensive training in evaluating residue damage and informed product and technique matching is why we offer consistent and positive results.

Appliance Construction

Most of the surfaces that make up modern appliances risk permanent fire damage in Crossville if appropriate cleaning steps are delayed or unforthcoming. Fire residues are highly corrosive and can discolor, warp, and etch even non-porous, solid materials. Appliances such as stoves, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers are typically made of some combination of the following, all of which are vulnerable to acidic fire damage:

• Metal
• Paint
• Glass
• Plastic
• Composite materials
• Formica
  

Location Exposes Appliances to Challenging Residues

The residues from a kitchen fire are protein-based, which means the coating adheres tightly to any surface and carries a distinctive and extremely unpleasant malodor. Because of the oiliness of the soot, water-based detergent solutions likely cannot loosen and carry away the soiling. Our technicians consider other options, and SERVPRO stocks a broad range of cleaning products. We might try increasing the alkalinity of the cleaning solution by mixing in additives to an all-purpose cleaner. Only trained employees should alter a solution to avoid toxic reactions. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended when working with highly alkaline cleaners.

Take Care with Highly Polished Surfaces

Some materials such as aluminum can pit or dull if strong cleaners are applied and allowed to dwell too long. Consistent and thorough rinsing is critical, and SERVPRO maintains data on cleaning activities. Hard to remove residues might loosen with abrasive cleaners or tools, but the integrity of a glossy finish is then at risk. Our proprietary paste cleaners can produce excellent results if short dwell times are respected, and proper application and cleaning action follows. We use clean, soft cloths or extremely fine “000” steel wool to scrub in a circular motion. A thin film of the paste lubricates during cleaning to prevent scratching. 

Training and experience are why SERVPRO of Cumberland, Morgan & White Counties can restore your appliances to like-new condition after a fire. Call for an evaluation at (931) 250-5333 as soon as practical.