How Can I Get the Fire Odor Out of My Area Rug?

4/26/2020 (Permalink)

Facing fire damage and some odors? Contact the certified team at SERVPRO for effective fire remediation efforts. Call immediately for best results.

SERVPRO has the tools and knowledge to mitigation any size or type of fire loss in Brigantine properties

Many Brigantine homes have area rugs as an accent piece as part of the decor. They are a convenient and attractive solution for protecting floors and allow homeowners to change out the look of their room whenever they wish by merely replacing the rug. When fire loss occurs, area rugs can absorb smoke odors and require both fast action and extensive cleaning to have the potential for reuse. 

What Types of Cleaning Works on Smoke Damage to Area Rugs?

Many of the same tactics that work on carpet get used in the restoration of fire damage in area rugs in Brigantine homes. Before SERVPRO technicians work on a rug or carpet, they do the following: 

• Test the carpet fibers to determine the construction materials 
• Determine the potential for restoration of the area rug
• Note any spots and stains that need addressing
• Choose the best cleaning agents to handle the cleaning for the best outcome

The Rug May Have Water Damage Cleanup Needs

Copious amounts of water get used in the extinguishing of home fires in Brigantine. When the fire is active, the firefighters drench items and push them towards the middle of the room. Often these items wind up on the area rug. Once the technicians remove the items from the pile, they separate the things into two distinct groups: items with restoration potential and items that require disposal (with approval of the homeowner or adjuster). Water can leave behind spots on rugs, combined with fire loss; wet soot creates more significant cleaning challenges on fibers. The technicians choose cleansing solutions to allow any dirt or residues to release their grip on the threads. 

How Does a Subfloor Get Dried After a Home Fire?

When the items get saturated during the firefighting, it is not uncommon for seepage to occur into the subfloor. In the case of a fire in an upper story of a home, soot-tainted water may drip through to lower levels. The floorboards, tile, or carpet may need to get removed to dry underneath. When walls and ceilings wick water, they may buckle or warp and require removal. It is vital to open up wall cavities or drying and possibly necessitate the removal of the insulation within. If the detection equipment used by the techs identifies elevated moisture levels within the structure, steps get taken to dry it quickly. A combination of air movers and drying mats often results in the most favorable outcome for the subfloor. 

Addressing the Air Quality and Odor Control Issues After Fire Loss

Smoke has a distinctive, pungent odor that can spread throughout the home unless neutralized. The technicians have a diverse selection of odor eradicating equipment, depending on the level of scent reduction the property needs. During the entire mitigation process, it is not uncommon for the techs to deploy machines called air scrubbers that grab airborne motes out of the air and trap them in their internal maze of HEPA filtration. 

Odor control often needs multiple layers to eliminate fire scents in the home entirely. The reason is that the residues on surfaces can leave behind odors, and they need different treatment than airborne soot particles that also contribute to the smells in a home. Areas of the house with painted surfaces may not respond completely to cleaning, and in those cases, the techs apply a sealant to trap any odorous soot, and once repainted, no sign of the fire odor lingers. Hand cleaning surfaces with deodorizing cleaning agents work to lessen odors, and the application of thermal fogging or hydroxyl generators assist in the neutralization of any remaining residual fire odors.

Deep Cleaning for Area Rugs

Depending on the construction materials that make up the fibers of the area rug, the techs may choose different types of cleaning methods. Foam or other wet-based cleaners work on many types of rugs. For wool-based rugs, the potential for shrinkage or bleed may necessitate removal for cleaning in-house. 

Who Can Do Repairs and Rebuilding After Fire Damage?

Once the restoration services get completed, there are often repairs that need attention to bring the property back to its pre-fire loss condition. With their general contractor license HIC #13VH05086500, the technicians can:

• Reinstall floorboards
• Repair cut away sheetrock
• Deep clean carpet and area rugs as needed for reuse
• Repaint walls

Don't wait to clean up fire damage, call SERVPRO of Atlantic City / Hamilton / Hammonton at (609) 965-0885. The certified technicians bring decades of experience and advanced equipment for the best outcome from all types of fire loss.