Salvaging Appliances And Furniture From Fire Damage

Whether fire-damaged furniture and appliances can be saved or not depends on one thing - the extent of fire damage. If fire damage on furniture is minimal, then you can just brush off the soot and disinfect it in order to be reused again. However, if it is completely burned, then you have no business keeping them.

Before you start restoring your furniture, you have to remember first that the fire should be completely extinguished before you proceed. Also, you don't want to touch items that are still hot, so let things cool down first. Make sure that there are no sparks or flames anywhere near you. A lot of disinfectants are flammable and can react to mere sparks. Your best option is to stay away from your house and work in an open area or a well-ventilated room exposed to the outside air.

You might find it easier to hire a restoration professional to restore your furniture and appliances for you. They are equipped with the proper knowledge and skills to deal with different kinds of damages, including fire damage. In addition, they do not only know how to restore the look of your fire-damaged items; they also know how to remove the smoky other that clings to them. You may find these restoration professionals especially helpful in restoring highly valuable items, such as antiques and expensive furniture.

Keep in mind also that fire damage on furniture and appliances are also damaged by water most of the time, due to the extinguishing measures used during the fire. Aside from water, other chemicals may have also been used to extinguish the fire. Therefore, you also need to employ rules on water damage restoration before you start cleaning your salvageable furniture and appliances. Make sure that they are completely dry first.

For fire-damaged wood furniture, wipe them first to remove soot and grime. Burnt areas must be smoothened using sand paper. Scrub them thoroughly using a brush and cleaner, and dry them in a well-ventilated place to avoid the growth of mold and mildew. In the case of wooden furniture, it must be dried away from the heat or the sun. You can also opt to vacuum your furniture, or, as mentioned above, call a restoration specialist for best results.

If your furniture did not really incur fire damage but was exposed to smoke, a solvent can do the trick. To remove smoke stains, pain thinner can be used. Create small partitions in your furniture so that you only clean one area at a time, and then rub the solvent using a rough cloth. Once you have removed the stains, use a damp cloth to clean the surface again, and another clean cloth to dry it. Once it is dry, you can apply waxing material.

As for appliances, it is advisable to have them checked by an electrician first before deciding to use them. Don't try to clean or repair your fire-damaged electrical appliances yourself, since this may do more harm than good. Let an authorized technician repair it for you.

One thing to remember about salvaging fire-damaged furniture and appliances is that you should always keep safe. Your safety is more important than any saved item.

About the Author

Osmund Aft discusses homeowner problems for Long Island, NY Fire and Smoke Damage Clean Up Services and Long Island, NY Fire Damage Clean Up

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