Should I Wet or Dry Clean My Walls After a Fire in My Los Gatos Home?

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says Protect your Los Gatos Home from fires by installing smoke detectors--or call us for cleanup and restoration

SERVPRO Fire Restoration Specialists Assess the Conditions of Your Home to Determine the Appropriate Cleaning Method

Even the smallest fire in Los Gatos can cause significant damage to your walls and ceilings. Before you immediately start washing your walls, it is vital to determine the best cleaning method for your particular situation. If your fire consisted mostly of natural materials like paper or wood, the smoke residue is generally dry, while synthetic materials produce wet residue, requiring a different cleaning technique. It is also entirely possible that the fire may consist of more than one type of residue.

What is the Difference Between Wet and Dry Cleaning Methods?

SERVPRO Technicians Use Both Methods to Remove Smoke Residue

You may encounter both wet and dry smoke residues when dealing with fire damage in your Los Gatos home. Just as the names indicate, wet cleaning requires the use of liquid to remove the residue, and dry cleaning implements the use of vacuums and sometimes dry sponges on porous surfaces.

What Does the Dry-Cleaning Method Entail?

• Dry smoke often does not stain as deeply as wet smoke, but it can cause more damage because dry smoke fires are usually hotter.
• Dry cleaning uses less aggressive methods, such as vacuuming.
• Technicians use dry sponges to remove residue from porous surfaces.

Wet Should I Know About Wet Cleaning?

• Wet cleaning has three steps: wash, rinse, dry.
• It is essential to test a small spot on the wall to make sure you are choosing the right type of cleaning solution and technique.
• Technicians should use a towel to apply the cleaning solution, moving in one direction only.

With both types of cleaning, it is important to protect your furniture by covering it. It is also critical to clean the ceilings first to avoid having to clean the walls twice. Sometimes, when the residue causes deep stains, technicians may choose to restore the walls by painting them.

For assistance after a fire, contact SERVPRO of Los Gatos / Monte Sereno at (408) 600-2020.