How do you clean up smoke damage and remove any evidence of it?
Fall is a fantastic time to start lighting fires in the fireplace or building a bonfire in your backyard. Those chilly nights are about to get cozier. But if your Annapolis home has recently suffered some fire damage, you might also notice residue left behind by the smoke. How do you clean up smoke damage and remove any evidence of it? Here are some ways you can accomplish it.
Examine the Extent
Before you get started, you should see just how extensive the smoke damage was. Are your walls and ceilings ruined? If they are, then it might lead to several problems you won’t be able to handle on your own. Your Annapolis home is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make, and getting it clean, bright, and back to normal before winter comes is also essential. You don’t want any cave-ins or collapses due to the weight of the snow.
Get What You Need
A side effect of fire and smoke damage is the amount of soot that will be left behind. One cleaning solution you can use is the substance known as trisodium phosphate or TSP. TSP can cut through the layers of caked-on soot, but you should exercise extreme caution when you go to use it. TSP is a harsh chemical, and you could harm your eyes and skin if you’re not careful. Thus, wearing some personal protective equipment is in your best interests. Gloves, goggles, and face masks are some of what you need before you can get started. Also, don’t forget the largest sponge you can find.
Start Cleaning
Now that you have everything you need, here’s what you should do:
- Wipe off the walls, ceilings, and floors to remove any debris that you can lift without too much effort.
- Next, combine a single tablespoon of TSP with one gallon of water. You might need more than of each, depending on heavily your Annapolis home is damaged. Make sure your gloves and goggles are properly situated before you continue.
- Once you’ve washed everything, you’ll need to rinse the TSP away. Does your home contain a lot of drywall? Don’t use too much water on it, since you could cause irreparable damage to the drywall or encourage unnecessary mold and mildew growth.
Time to Start Over
Even after you’ve cleaned up all the smoke damage, it might be time to start over. We don’t mean going through the cleaning process again. Instead, it could just be a sign to repaint the room or remodel your Annapolis home.
Where’s There’s Smoke, There’s North Arundel Contracting!
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