Deductible Assistance • We will work with your insurance
Fire and Smoke Damage Remediation Services
After a fire, we'll be there to help get your home—and your life—back, all while keeping you informed every step of the way.
Extensive fire damage is unequivocally one of the most severe losses and stressful situations that a homeowner can ever experience in their home. This type of devastating loss can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure, but having clear guidance and support from the right restoration crew can offer reassurance and peace of mind.
At ServiceMaster Restore of Lynchburg, we don't just employ talented experts in the field. Our staff is full of caring professionals who will take the utmost care getting you back into your home as quickly as possible while offering guidance and reassurance each and every step of the way. We offer a complete range of fire-damage restoration services that also include soot, smoke, and odor removal, so, no matter the extent of your damage, ServiceMaster® has your covered.
Call (434) 385-7862 any time day or night, for comprehensive fire and smoke damage repair in the Lynchburg, VA area.
Fire Damage Beyond the Flames
Most people think big flames and total destruction when they think of a fire-damaged home, but even small fires can cause extensive damage.
- Even after the flames are extinguished, ash and smoke can damage materials left behind.
- Smoke odor is pervasive and will spread through the home causing damage long after the fire if not properly remediated.
- It only takes a few minutes for walls and other surfaces to become discolored and a few hours for the finishes on kitchen appliances to begin to yellow.
- Smoke can cause etching in glass and tarnish on metal after a very short time.
- Soot leaves behind a greasy, caustic residue that is difficult to remove with conventional cleansers.
All Fire Damages are not Created Equal
At ServiceMaster®, we understand that every fire damage is unique. Our thorough restoration process includes:
- Identifying the source of the fire to most effectively treat it based on the cause.
- Evaluating any water damage incurred from firefighting efforts and remediating the damage if necessary.
- Assessing sensitive materials for damage due to smoke and soot particles.
- Removing damaged contents, especially items that are immediately needed such as clothing, prescriptions, school books, business needs, etc.
- Providing pack out services from remaining content to be cleaned and stored.
- Structural remediation including removal of porous contents that will hold onto smoke such as insulation and charred wood.
- Evaluating other materials and structures such as carpets and floor coverings for removal.
- Inspecting the structural integrity of the home for safety.
- Treating and sealing surfaces for smoke odors to eliminate odors and restore surfaces to pre-loss conditions.
- Packing in cleaned and restored contents to their original location.
Common Types of Fires
Protein Fire
Protein fires occur when food from an oven or stove has burned. These fires leave a very strong odor of burned food as well as smoke residue on nearby contents and surfaces.
Complex Fire
Complex fires are, as they sound, complex. These occur when both natural and synthetic items inside the home have burned. This combination causes thick, black smoke that leaves smoke and soot residue of contents and surfaces as well as synthetic smoke odors. Complex fires may require emergency corrosion mitigation to protect at-risk surfaces.
Natural Fire
Natural fires occur with the burning of natural, not synthetic, materials. When things like trees, shrubs, and bushes burn smoke can penetrate the structure from outside leaving smoke residue and odor.
Furnace Malfunction
Oil-fired furnaces and other heating appliances can malfunction causing smoke and soot to be distributed throughout your home.
Fire Damage is Not for the DIYer
Although it may be tempting to clean yourself, even small fires should be remediated by a professional. Fires leave behind a biohazardous residue that can cause health issues if not properly cleaned. This type of damage should only be handled by experts with the right training and tools to do the job properly.
Call (434) 385-7862 for expert fire, smoke and soot removal today.
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What to do When You Experience a Loss
Although fire damages should never be handled alone, there are a few things that can be done while waiting for professional mitigation services to begin.
- Open windows and doors to air out the house if the temperature is about 60 degrees.
- If safe, wipe down laminate surfaces as well as chrome, porcelain, and aluminum fixtures to reduce the risk of permanent tarnishing or etching.
- If you have a forced air furnace, replace the filter right away.
- Dampen cheesecloth and tape it over returns and supply registers to capture loose soot blowing through the HVAC system.
- Discard all open food and clean out the refrigerator if the electricity is turned off.
- Pack up clothing with heavy smoke damage for professional dry cleaning.
There are also things that should be avoided in the aftermath of a fire.
- Never touch anything with your bare hands. Not only is the fire residue a biohazard, but oil from your hands is able to permeate porous surfaces causing additional damages.
- Do not attempt to wash the walls. Proper cleaning methods are necessary when dealing with soot, and incorrect cleaning can make the problem worse.
- Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstery. Again, improper cleaning can compound the problem.
- Do not use electrical appliances until they've been assessed for safety.
- Avoid using ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.
When the worst happens and you experience fire, smoke, or soot damage in your home, know that you can count on ServiceMaster Restore of Lynchburg for compassionate and professional service to get you back to normal as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's never a quick fix, though we've gathered together a multi-discipline team of contractors and technicians to work in tandem to complete the work as soon as possible. From structural repairs to sand/soda-blasting to odor removal to contents cleaning, our fire damage restoration crew begin as soon as the project scope is determined, and we don't stop until the job is done and both you and the insurance company are satisfied with the results.
Most often, yes. You'll need to check your specific policy for the full scope of coverage, but in general, if the damage was caused by a flame, it's covered. Your best bet is to hire a professional restoration to help you through the claims process. We know how to avoid some common missteps when it comes to making sure the entire loss is documented and covered. Many homeowners and insurance companies forget, for instance, to consider that your HVAC system will need to be cleaned of soot, and, since fires are extinguished using water, many areas of your home may need to be restored due to water damage even if they weren't directly affected by the fire.
Depending on the extent or location of the fire damage, some homeowners can move back in a few days or longer. The fire department will usually turn off electricity and gas to the property right away, and that won’t be restored until a building inspector says that it’s safe to turn those utilities back on. If you experienced significant smoke damage and the home’s occupants include elderly persons, young children, or those with chronic health conditions, you may be wise to stay until the smoke cleanup is complete. Contracting with a company experienced in fire damage restoration can often get you back home sooner, because they’ll have the resources to hire and manage the many tradespeople who will need to work together to make the home liveable again.
DIY soot removal is not recommended. Commercially available products can actually cause permanent damage to surfaces. Soot itself is primarily oil-based, but that residue also contains toxic, possibly biohazard contaminants.
Smoke damage is rarely limited to one area of the house, and it leaves behind residue that can hide in crevices and out-of-reach areas, and a simple "airing out" may not be sufficient. We recommend consulting with a smoke damage technician who can help you troubleshoot the next steps.
Proudly Serving the Greater Lynchburg, VA Area
- Amherst
- Appomattox
- Buena Vista
- Campbell
- Danville
- Halifax
- Lexington
- Lynchburg
- Nelson
- Pittsylvania
- Rockbridge
