The After Effects of Smoke Damage

                                                               Pic Credits: flickr

Although the after-effects of a fire damage are obvious, the effects of smoke lingering around during the fire are something we do not take into consideration. It can be a serious factor that could affect the life and productivity of the machines and appliances in the house. The after effects of smoke can be far more serious and may take weeks to recover.

Here are some of the factors to consider while dealing with smoke damage:

Time

Smoke and other harmful off-gases during a fire can cause secondary damage, and the longer the surface is exposed to smoke, the worse the cleaning or etching process can be. Most electronics can conduct through the smoke. When the smoke sediments after the fire, it can cause short circuits on boards which can cause electronics to lead a pre-mature breakdown.

Humidity

With a high amount of moisture content in the air, there is a great risk of corrosive reactions and more subsequent damage.

Temperature and Pressure

The air volume doubles every 10 degrees. Which means that greater the pressure, the more smoke is driven into the porous surfaces in the house. It should be noted that the curtains and all other fabrics that survived the fire need to be properly cleaned and treated before being used again. 

Type of Combustion Materials

House fires are rather complex since they are fuelled by a lot of synthetic materials rather than natural materials. Complex fires cause significant damage.

The first plan of action after a fire damage is to contact your insurance agency and get a professional cleaning job done. As mentioned above, the after-effects of smoke are not visible to the naked eye and need expert cleaning job done. Even though it appears like you can handle the job, its best to hand it over to the professionals.

See Also: 7 ways to fireproof your house

Fighting the Effects of Smoke Damage

• In order to prevent any sort of secondary damage, apply a surfactant agent (e.g. cooking oil) to materials metal, glass, tile/grout and marble. 
• Provide proper ventilation by keeping the doors and windows open for as long as possible so that air flows freely and prevents soot from settling in. 
• Pre-treat fabrics by soaking them overnight in warm water and one cup of dishwasher detergent. 
• Check all the electrical appliances before using them. As mentioned earlier, smoke may have damaged these and a simple spark could give rise to another catastrophe. 

Never ignore the after-effects of a fire damage. Lingering smoke can have many health hazards. At Bio Cleanse Services, we deal with all kinds of fire damages, including dealing with smoke removal. We can restore your home to perfection. Call us on 0427 411 789.

Safety with Flammable Liquids at Home

If you are an average homeowner with regular household items like hair sprays, rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, linseed oil under your roof, then you must also be aware of the risks these have to offer. While they may not seem like a serious threat in most cases, they sure can increase your risk during a fire accident. Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind while housing these liquids.

1. Hand sanitizers

 A true fact but hand sanitizers are flammable because of the high alcohol content in them. Whether gel or liquid, all alcohol-based hand sanitizers pose a great risk in case your house gets caught in a fire. A safety measure to follow here would be to keep sanitizers away from heat or direct sunlight. Avoid keeping them near stoves, heaters or in areas directly exposed to sunlight or areas that tend to get warm.

2. Gasoline, paint thinner and turpentine

Paint thinners are a common household liquid used to lighten oil-based paints or clean up after their use. Being widely used, they are also the reason for top residential fire accidents. In most homes, these liquids are carelessly stored in garages and often with negligence, a spillover is capable of causing sparks. To avoid accidents, these flammable solvents should be stored in tightly sealed containers away from sources of heat.

3. Nail polish remover

Because of the acetone content in this liquid, this is considered one of the most common flammable household liquids. The vapours it produces are also flammable as they are able to travel through the air, igniting any nearby flames. If you are using a candle, make sure to blow it out and keep it at a safe distance before you apply or remove any nail polish.

4. Linseed oil

Linseed oil a common household liquid used for staining and finishing work and dried upon exposure to heat. It generates heat as it dries, which can cause the spontaneous combustion of materials. Rags, waste, and other oily materials having residues of linseed oil can cause spontaneous combustion fires if not handled properly. This liquid is to be handled with great caution and stored in an appropriate place away from sunlight.

5. Aerosol cans/sprays

Over half of the household products stored in residential homes are contained in aerosol cans. Aerosol sprays are no surprise in catching fires when sprayed in close proximity of a flame or a fireplace. As much as possible store these cans away from heat-related appliances and warm areas and do not spray them near candle flames and kitchen stoves.

See Also: Fire damage and the Need for Restoration  

Safeguard your homes with these simple tips. In case of fire accidents, fret not! Our team of fire damage restoration experts at Bio Cleanse Services is always there to help. Call – 0427 411 789 in case of an emergency. You may also email us at – info@primerestorations.com.au

Do you need professional cleaning services?

We, Bio Cleanse Pty Ltd, provide all kinds of cleaning services, right from hoarding and meth lab cleaning to water and fire damage clean-ups and insect infestation control services. You must be wondering why you should hire us, when you can do the cleaning all by yourself.

We have answers to some of your questions.

Whenever there is a blood spill in a crime scene situation, there are fair chances of pathogens getting involved with blood and spreading infection all around. If the incident goes unnoticed, the surrounding areas get highly disease-prone. Removal of the matter does not solve the problem; for pathogens can infect the air, floor and furniture. We will ensure you that the area is thoroughly disinfected. The same would be true for mould, insect and other such infestations.

It starts with a single item and then, piles up to be a burden. Yes! We are talking about hoarding. Throwing away things which were dear to you (or someone you know), which you thought you would use in future, can be difficult. You might end up in keeping all of them. We take up this for you. We make sure that your stuff is properly disposed and also that your place is thoroughly cleaned.

Sharp objects and syringes clean-up also requires some training. You just cannot discard these objects for you might end up hurting yourself or others in your vicinity. We do sharps and syringes clean-up for hospitals and clinics. We believe in the - Your safety is our mission - adage.

Deaths of dear ones leave a void in our lives. We cannot bring ourselves around to the fact that they are gone. Cleaning up their room or house or living areas often becomes a difficult or traumatic thing to do. We understand your situation. We can help you with the cleaning.

Visit our website www.bio-cleanse.com.au to know more about us! We are really the cleaning specialists.

Bio-hazard cleaning – why and what?

Mention the term bio-hazard, and we think of a risk to human health or the environment arising from biological work, especially with microorganisms. In simple words, if any living organism comes in contact with a biological hazard, it can pose a threat to its health.

We might know what a bio-hazard material is and what the causes are for it. But do you know what is involved in a bio-hazard clean-up?

If you do know (Great!), if not, then go ahead and read this blog.

When a bio-hazard clean-up takes place, the situation is completely assessed with caution and all items like carpet, furniture, wallpaper, etc. are removed and dealt with carefully. They get disposed in bio-hazard bags at a federal and state regulated site for disposal. If you think wearing a safety gear is enough to take up the task for a bio-hazard cleaning then you’re wrong, because no family member, colleague or regular cleaner are trained to deal with bio-hazardous situations. A professional however will have blood-borne pathogen (BBP) training, own protective gear, would be receiving regular inoculation of Hepatitis B vaccine and exposure evaluation.

Therefore bio-hazard cleaning is no layman task and requires well trained and equipped professionals. Bio Cleanse Services is a company dedicated to clean and remediate the affected area by following strict guidelines in the clean-up, removal and disposal of bio-hazardous/bio-medical waste.

So if you’re caught in a bio-hazard situation? Call Bio Cleanse at 042 741 1789 or visit our website: http://www.bio-cleanse.com.au/ . We are here to help

Tips for Fire Safety During the Fall Season

With the daylight becoming shorter and leaves taking a new form of green to orange, you’re preparing for the cold season and all the exciting festivities. But are you really prepared? Here are a few important fire safety tips to keep in mind:

Replace smoke/carbon detector batteries and test the alarms. It’s advisable to change your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries when Daylight Savings Time begins and ends. This ensures the alarms don’t fail when you turn on the heat in your home. Once the batteries are changed don’t forget to test the smoke alarms. Ensure all the fire extinguishers are in working condition.

Before cranking up the heat, have your heating devices fully checked:

• Have a certified HVAC contractor inspect your HVAC system. Check and replace furnace filters with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.
• Ensure sufficient space of at least three to four feet around space heaters. Don’t place fabrics on space heaters to dry, and turn heaters off every night before bed.
• Have a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney. Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from the fireplace and install a mesh metal screen around it.

Halloween safety – Excited to decorate your home and mastermind scary costumes for Halloween? Don’t forget the safety aspects. Ensure considerable distance between decorations and open flames and other heat sources, and replace candles in jack-o-lanterns with battery-operated lights. We strongly advise you not to use real candles for decorating your home, but if you do, follow utmost care.

Outdoor fire risks – Periodically remove the leaves and other flammable debris that builds up around the house. Prune trees and rake up leaves and twigs. Avoid fuel storage in your home or garage. Clean your roof, gutters, and downspouts of debris and drain the fuel from lawn mowers before storing them for winter.

See also:  Safety with Flammable Liquids at Home 

Formulate a fire escape plan and make sure everyone in the house is well aware of it. In case a fire breaks out at 2 AM and your smoke alarms wake you and your family up – what do you do? This is when the fire escape plan comes into play. Designate an escape route for each area of your home and establish a meeting place outside. Practice escaping your home while staying low to avoid breathing in smoke. Also, practice escaping through windows using emergency ladders.

We, at Bio Cleanse Services, have an expert team of fire damage restoration technicians. If you ever face a fire incident in your home/office, contact us on 0427 411 789 for property remediation.

How smoke impacts your house

A devastating experience like a house fire can be overwhelming, making it hard for residents to deal with the aftermath. However, it is important to ensure that the house is safe, cleaned and repaired to avoid any further damages. In a stressful time like this, it's always good to bank on the services of a professional cleaning company to remediate and restore your house.

Even after the fire has been put out, there's a lot of toxic residue, smoke and soot all over the place that can have a bad impact on your health and your house. While some damages are clearly visible, there are few that take a while to show.

Stains:

After a fire, the house is all covered in ash and smoke residue which leads to discolouration of ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. Metal items start to rust and corrode, and plastic items start to turn yellow. Due to the acidic presence in soot, the tiles get stained permanently.

Strong Odour:

The smoke particles produce a strong smoky odour that can linger for long as it embeds itself in walls, carpets, upholstery, furniture, surfaces and other porous materials. This can be treated by detecting the source of the odour, cleaning and deodorising the entire area. Ignoring this may lead to respiratory problems.

Internal Damage:

If the house is not cleaned and remediated early, the soot and smoke particles will penetrate surfaces and destruct the house structure or framework, insulation, ducts, and vents.

Electrical Damage:

In a house fire, there is some amount of damage done to the electrical system. Electrical parts like switches, wiring, fuses, circuits, outlets

and light fixture boxes may get damaged. Hardwired appliances may not function properly and also start to corrode.

If you ever find yourself stuck in a situation like this and wondering how to fix the fire damage, do not worry, give us a call and we shall clean and remediate it all.

Common causes for fire damage

There are quite a number of causes for fires, and the effect of fire damage is endless too. When it comes to safety concerns, we should think about unseen possibilities that could happen. Let’s take a look at the chief causes of fire damage at homes and workplaces:

At home: 

• Cooking equipment - When it comes to cooking equipment in the house; unattended stoves, unchecked electric cords, overheated pan or pots are to be seen to. 

• Heating equipment - Some of the reasons heating equipment can cause a fire are being careless with portable heating appliances, no mesh guard in front of a fireplace, uncleaned chimney and flue, etc. Children and wet clothes should be kept away from heaters or fires. 

• Smoking - Smoking in bed can be fatal - tiny embers can smoulder unnoticed and burst into flames later. 

At workplace: 

• Flammable Material - This can be a dangerous hazard to your employee and your business. Inappropriate storage, incorrect disposal or improper processes handling these materials or substances can lead to fire damage. 

• Human error - Spillages of flammable liquid, burning off or combustible liquid can be due to human error or accidental, which can be a cause for fire damage.

• Faulty electrics - This is one of the biggest reasons for fire breakouts. Unqualified electricians could install inferior materials, unsafe switches, incorrect fuses, double adaptors and power boards which lead to power point overloads.

If you are having any of the issues mentioned above, contact Bio Cleanse Pvt Ltd. to help you clean, remediate and restore your surroundings to its previous condition. Our team of trained professionals will get the job done in a right and systematic manner.

Fire Damage Restoration- Why is it necessary?

Fire accidents can occur at any place, be it at your home or office. Fire damage can leave everything in ruins - ceiling, flooring, wall and furniture. There is no doubt this is a monetary loss. Did you know this also poses a risk to your health?

Fire emits loads of toxic gases- irritants and narcotic gases. Irritants are said to cause pain to your eyes and your respiratory tract, while the narcotic gases are found to cause skin rashes. A person who stays exposed to smoke for longer duration may also show confused or euphoric behaviour. These gases could pose a serious threat to a person’s health. The pungent odour of the smoke often remains in the air for a significant amount of time, thereby causing more damage to people and surroundings.

Exposure to fire may sometimes weaken your house/office structure. It could in-turn lead to the collapse of your house/office and cause harm to you, your family members and your office staff. 

Cleaning the mess caused by the fire all by yourself might probably place you in a dangerous situation. It is mandatory for you to understand the necessity of hiring professional cleaners for fire damage restoration.

Contact us, Bio Cleanse Pty Ltd for restoration of your homes/offices. We will do the complete restoration for you. Visit our website http://www.bio-cleanse.com.au/services/fire-damage-restoration/ for additional details.

What happens after a fire accident?

You may be anxious to clean your home after a fire, but unless you take the time to get professional advice, you may be wasting your efforts or creating further damage. Contact a professional service immediately once the fire is out. They can provide advice on restoration or replacement of damaged items. 

Why there is a need to hire a professional fire restorer? Fire restorers can prevent further damages, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished, provide estimates and services for thoroughly cleaning and deodorizing your home. Professional services at times can be expensive, but the cost may be substantially less than the cost of replacing damaged furnishings and floors. 

Preventing Further Damage

Before hiring a professional fire restorer to do the big tasks, you can minimize further damage by following these guidelines. Before starting with the tasks you need to be sure that its safe enough to re-enter your home, ask for expert advice. Get the air moving. Open windows to ventilate areas. Install a fan to circulate  air. 

Note: If there has been substantial water damage and the weather is warm, you will probably need to keep the windows shut and run a dehumidifier. In cold weather, your heating system is operating and the cold air will usually help remove the moisture.

Dry wet items as soon as possible. Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry carpets and draperies. If not thoroughly dried, carpets and floors underneath may be quickly damaged beyond repair by mould and mildew.

Remove brass and copper items and clean them using brass or copper cleaner. Place aluminum foil or plastic food wrap under furniture legs. Remove oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting. Cover dry, clean items with plastic while repairs are in progress.

Contact us at Bio Cleanse Pty Ltd on 042 741 1789 or visit http://www.bio-cleanse.com.au/ for a free quote.

Cleaning Fire Damage

A fire can spring out anywhere and anytime. It is unavoidable, and you can’t do much about it. So your responsibility begins after the fire is out. There are certain things you ought to do to minimize more damage and expenses. Here are some important things you need to keep in mind:

1. Always react to a fire accident as soon as possible; timeliness is an important factor during fire damage control operation.

2. Remove non-recoverable structural components.

3. Remove floor coverings, after the ceiling is removed.

4. Recoverable wall framing must be treated for odour.

5. The HVAC or air conditioning must be examined and decontaminated.

6. Ozone Deodorization.

7. Seal affected timber framing.

8. Clean affected walls, floors and ceilings.

9. Home contents are examined to see if recoverable and non recoverable.

10. Finally the clearance test.

The above tests are completed with necessary personal protective equipment to protect against fire damage contamination. Professional service is advised to perform the job in an accurate, fast and professional way. Contact us at 042 741 1789 or visit us on www.bio-cleanse.com.au for a free quote.

Why choose Bio Cleanse Pty. Ltd.?

Bio Cleanse Pty. Ltd. is a professional Bio-hazard cleaning service. Bio Cleanse has a dedicated team of highly trained professionals who are ready at all times to respond to and restore any situation that may arise from a crime scene, homicide, suicide, etc. 

The trained professionals and specialists at Bio Cleanse will thoroughly clean, re-mediate and restore any areas affected by a tragic event. We help in reducing your stress and perform the monumental task of cleaning up, affording you the peace of mind you deserve during any difficult, traumatic and emotional time.

We have advanced technologies to clean and deal with any kind of cleaning problems whatsoever. Our employees are well experienced and skilled in their areas and have special knowledge on the work they carry out. As you are aware, patience and skill are required for such delicate type of jobs. 

We deal with various kind of services in our field, some of them are:

· Crime Scene Cleaning

· Hoarding Management

· Meth Lab Cleaning 

· Trauma Cleaning

· Sharps and Needle Clean-up

· Urine and Faeces Clean-up

· Suicide Clean-up

· Sewage Clean-up

· Murder Clean-up

· Odour Control

· Fire Damage Restoration

· Water Damage Restoration

· Mould Remediation

· Dry Ice Blasting and so on…

We believe in quality, timeliness, and dedicated services for our customers, giving them 100% work satisfaction and no reasons to complain. 

Call us on 042 741 1789 or visit us on our website at http://www.bio-cleanse.com.au/ for a free quote or extra knowledge on each service provided by us.