Smoke damage repair and other fire damage repair jobs need the expertise and guaranteed quality service of a Diamond Restoration professional, available 24 hours a day.

Diamond Restoration specializes in the cleaning and repair of home and commercial property that has suffered smoke damage and fire damage, including furnishings, contents, floor coverings, and walls. Insurance adjusters recognize Diamond Restoration as a trusted partner when dealing with fire and smoke damage repair situations.

MORE ABOUT THE FIRE / SMOKE RESTORATION PROCESS

Everyone understands the destruction a fire can do. Diamond Restoration understands the damage that can be done after the fire is out. Much of the material found in furniture, flooring and appliances is synthetic. When burned, synthetics create a variety of complex chemical reactions. After a few days, these items go from cleanable to unsalvageable.

The professionals of Diamond Restoration are experts in understanding the chemical combinations that can effectively clean and salvage belongings. They can even remove soot from fabrics in upholstery, carpets and clothes, thus helping to avoid additional expenses.

We use the latest equipment and supplies in our four-step fire and smoke damage restoration process:

• Emergency pre-cleaning
• Content cleaning
• Content pack-out
• Wall and ceiling cleaning deodorization
• Understanding the Chemistry of Fire

The chemistry of fire is a series of complex reactions, sometimes involving well over 100 chemical elements. The many different substances that can fuel a fire and the different resulting chemical reactions that take place mean that fires may be very different in their cause, their composition and their waste. Mitigation professionals must understand the chemistry of each fire in order to react appropriately and to effectively restore the area.

Fires are classified into two groups: simple and complex. Simple fires result in complete combustion and are usually fueled by relatively pure fuel, producing no soot and only small amounts of gasses, fumes and smoke. Complex fires, on the other hand, are the result of incomplete combustion and are fueled by synthetic materials, including those found in many toys, carpets, furniture, clothing, plumbing and bathroom equipment. As complex fires cause the most damage and leave the most waste, they are usually those handled by disaster restoration professionals like Diamond Restoration.

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Acids Cause Permanent Damage

In a complex fire, the acid gases combine with heat and water vapour and penetrate cracks and crevices. When the surfaces cool, the gases condense and form high corrosive solutions.

These solutions can permanently etch and stain many sensitive surfaces, including machinery and tools, precision instruments, household appliances, and marble, glass and aluminum surfaces. In addition, salts produced when acids mix with metal can cause further damage to a metal surface. An example of this is the corrosion on cars from salty snow and ice treatments.

Another common product of a fire is soot, which is comprised of carbon and other materials that are incompletely burned or oxidized. Some soot particles are dry and can be vacuumed effectively, but most are combined with grease and oils and can not be vacuumed. These situations require an alkaline solution that reacts with the oil or grease and releases carbon particles, creating a water-soluble product that can be washed away with water.

Other soot deposits, depending on their chemical make-up and the surface on which they rest, may demand physical removal with a putty knife or similar instrument.

Even though the chemistry of each fire may be different, the most important thing is to dry out the area as soon as possible to avoid further damage caused by acids and contaminants. A careful consideration of the materials and surfaces affected will then provide an understanding of the fire’s chemistry and allow for a targeted and informed restoration effort.

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Fire Prevention Tactics

Fires can begin anywhere, but two areas in your home pose the biggest fire threat; the kitchen and the garage. You can reduce your risk of fire in these vulnerable places with the following precautions:

• Use only Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) approved appliances and tools.
  
• Check regularly for frayed or worn power cords or plugs, and replace them immediately.
  
• Do not operate appliances, switches or outlets with wet hands.
  
• Never plug in more appliances than a socket is designed to handle.
  
• Do not store flammable items over the stove.
  
• Turn pot handles inward so children can not pull them down.
  
• Keep a fire extinguisher on a wall near the stove.
  
• Keep areas around stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers clean to prevent dust particles from igniting.
  
• Keep trash and other items away from the furnace or water heater, preferably stored in sealed containers.
  
• Check heating equipment annually.
  
• Store gasoline and flammables in tight metal containers, away from the house, never near heating equipment or pilot light.

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Smoke and Fire Damage

In the event that smoke and fire do invade your home, it is important to take the appropriate action to prevent further damage. Here are some helpful dos and don’ts to aid in the restoration process.

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Do's

• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.
• Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
  
• Discard open food packages. The food could be contaminated.
  
• If electrical service is off, clean out your freezer and refrigerator.
  
• Leave the door propped open or place charcoal in the unit.
  
• Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified professional dry cleaner.
  
• Clean Formica and chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent permanent tarnishing.
  
• Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
  
• Wipe the leaves of house plants to remove smoke residue.
  
• Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
  
• Tape cheesecloth over intake and outlet air registers to capture any loose soot in the air.
  This is even more effective if the cheesecloth is damp.
  
• If the outside temperature is above 15 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odour.

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Don’ts

• Do not attempt to wash any papered or flat painted walls without consulting your professional cleaner. Incorrect cleaning procedures could compound the soot residue problem.
  
• Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Again, incorrect procedures could increase damage.
  
• Do not use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked. They could malfunction.
  
• Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. A short circuit could result.
  
• Do not touch anything. Soot on your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing further damage.
  
• Do not eat food that has been exposed to fire or smoke.
  
• Do not wait to call for professional help.