Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration

Fire has the ability to cause large amounts of damage to your home or business. Smoke odor invades building materials and personal belongings of every kind. Soot can corrode structures and contents that have not been burned by flames.

Duraclean understands that experiencing a fire can be devastating and that your possessions, livelihood and memories are at stake. Our trained and certified technicians will respond with the goal of helping you get back into your home or business while being both compassionate and efficient.

If your home or business has suffered damage by fire, it is critical to contact a company that specializes in the fire and smoke restoration process as soon as possible to prevent additional damage. Duraclean is the go-to company for many insurance companies, property managers and households throughout the Chicagoland area.

Fire Damage Cleanup Process:

  • 24/7 emergency services
  • Prompt damage assessment
  • Emergency board-up
  • Site Stabilization
  • Detailed structure and content cleaning
  • Deodorization
  • Contents inspection, cleaning, packing, moving and storage
  • Water Damage mitigation (if necessary)

Quick Tips

Here are some helpful tips on what you should do when you experience fire and smoke damage:

  • Call Duraclean Restoration at (800) TO-CLEAN
  • Call your insurance agent/company and tell them Duraclean is on the way
  • If the temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor
  • Clean laminate surfaces as well as chrome, porcelain, and aluminum fixtures to prevent permanent tarnishing or etching (corrosion mitigation)
  • Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air
  • Tape damp cheesecloth over returns and supply registers to capture loose soot in the air.
  • Discard any open food packages
  • If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave doors propped open
  • Collect money, jewelry, and weapons – put in one spot while waiting for your Duraclean professional to go over the next process

What not to do:

  • Do not touch anything with your bare hands. Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing additional damage.
  • Do not wash the walls. Improper cleaning could streak or spread the soot residue.
  • Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
  • Do not use electrical appliances until they have been checked.
  • Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.

FAQ

How Can I Assist the Restoration Process?

Every property owner will want to start the restoration process and do everything they can themselves to make it more efficient. But any effort in using household cleaning agents of any kind can actually make the damage worse as it can cause the residue to smear and seep further into the affected material.

It’s best to wait for the restoration technicians to arrive. They have the proper equipment, products, and training to safely restore your building materials and items.

How Long is the Restoration Process?

This will depend on the extent of the damage. Destruction across multiple floors will take days or weeks to restore compared to one roof of a home. Also keep in mind that commercial buildings like offices and warehouses will take longer than homes due to their size, and they also have to pass an inspection code with the city.

Do I Need to Move Out During the Restoration Process?

This will also depend on the extent of the damage. If the structure is not stable or you are left without running water or electricity, you should relocate temporarily. But for smaller fires that affected a single area of the home, small factors like noise disruption and smoke smell will be present. Its 100% your decision but we are more than happy to advise in anyway we can.

Which Items Should I Take with Me?

Any items with personal or high monetary value should be kept with you at all times, such as:

  • Family valuables, coins, and artwork
  • Personal documents
  • Checkbooks, cash, and credit cards
  • Medication

Should I Pack Up My Belongings?

In most cases, the contents will be restored on-site, but sometimes the property has suffered extensive damage which makes this impossible. If the structure is not stable or does not allow for ideal conditions, we will perform inventory, pack, and deliver your personal property to our climate-controlled facility for proper restoration.

If any high-value items require specialized restoration, we will contact the help of local specialists that our part of our preferred vendor list.

Can I Access My Items While they are in Storage?

Yes! You will always have access to your stored items, especially important documents and clothing. We just ask that you call ahead of time and schedule a time that works best for you. An additional charge may be applied to access the items.

How Can I Inventory Items that Need to Be Replaced?

It can be difficult to remember all your items that were damaged, but general information including the quantity, year purchased, and price will be sufficient information to have the insurance claim cover the cost. In many cases we are more than happy to assist in make non-restorable item lists by using our picture inventory process and printed lists.

Can I Turn on My Furnace or Air Conditioner?

As tempting as this may be, we recommend that you do not turn the system. We ask that you please leave the HVAC unit off until it has been inspected by one of our technicians. Without even knowing, fire damage may have affected the unit and turning it on can lead to spreading soot particles throughout the property. Please wait until we have inspected and approved the unit for use.

**Ask us about our Emergency Response Agreement**

Duraclean’s Emergency Response Agreement (ERA) will give you:

  • Resources ready to handle any disaster or event
  • An established, pre-qualified contractor who will prioritize your needs
  • Knowledge of pricing and procedures for emergency response – and no surprises afterward
  • Emergency responders you know and trust
  • A professional restoration company that has the experience to deal with insurance pricing and insurance program requirements