The process of duct cleaning during insurance restoration can be a challenging task. It is imperative to get out as much soot, smoke, and mold out of the ducts to get a Columbia, IL home back in shape. These are the steps typically taken to ensure thorough insurance loss restoration:
- Investigation
- Evaluation
- Remediation
Those three steps are applied to all kinds of loss restoration.
Fire Damage Restoration
The first thing to look at when dealing with fire damage is finding what the fire had damaged. Seeing if the fire reached the HVAC system around areas like the booster fan and the blower motor is necessary, as if those were damaged, they can blow out soot through the ductwork. If the fire happened in the walls, then a wall cavity can be used to cut down on the cost by heating contractors. After determining what the fire has damaged, and the actions needed to fix the problems are evaluated, it’s time to get to work. Thorough cleaning of the HVAC system after the fire is needed to get the system back up and running properly. This process includes removing the smoke odors and removing any soot from the ducts. Any charred areas of the building part of the structure are also replaced.
Fire Extinguisher Dust Removal
Whether the fire extinguisher was used, or it had accidentally gone off, it is crucial to get that dust removed as exposure to the dust can cause irritation to the skin and respiratory system. This dust poses another reason to get the ducts cleaned. If that dust and soot get into the vents, it will blow out into the air that you breathe, which can irritate asthma and the lungs of the elderly and children. In addition to that, it will also coat just about everything in your home when your HVAC system kicks on.
Flooding and Sewage Backups
The first step when checking for flood and sewage damage is to see if and how much the water has spread through the ductwork and if it has damaged the insulation. Notably vulnerable to water incursions are areas where two pieces of flex duct combine. When the insulation between the ducting material’s layers is exposed to water, it is no longer possible to clean and must be replaced. These same concerns apply to sewage backups, however, with sewage backups, you must also check for anything solid that was brought up from it. After that, it’s time to open the ducts to see the damage caused by the water or sewage, see the amount of water or sewage in the system, and check which sections need to be replaced. Once all that is done, any water needs to be removed either by dehumidification or the use of a pump. After the duct is dry, proper cleaning can commence. It is imperative to get your duct cleaned in these situations as water and sewage in your duct can bring a host of issues including bacteria and mold. Proper sanitation of your ducts will help remove those germs and eliminate the odors.
Disasters can happen when you least expect them. Are you in need of home restoration services after a disaster? Give our expert team at Smoke Services Restoration a call today.
