thanks Ray; lots of work, but this seems to cover it all. I think I'll put this back with Lenny's suggestion, and let the adjuster figure it into the claim.
On Thu, 24 Jan 2008, Ray Boyce wrote: > Professionals use a heavy-duty suction machine to remove > tough soil from walls and ceilings. A homeowner may use a > vacuum wall brush attachment, emptying or changing the > bag often. You may need to clean the wall brush in suds, > rinsing and drying thoroughly before using again on clean > surfaces; or buy a new brush. > > Next treat clinging soot by applying the type of > absorbent putty used to clean wallpaper. Then washable > surfaces should be washed with suds. If repainting is > needed this preliminary cleaning is vital because paint > or varnish will not adhere to soil. Use moderately-strong > alkali solution such as 2 tablespoons to a gallon of > water of washing soda, trisodium phosphate or ammonia, > for soil-based soot if soot does not come off readily > with regular suds. May need to apply a sealer compound > such as "BIN" before repainting (see "REMOVING SMOKE > ODORS AFTER A FIRE" under ODOR. > > Wash windows, mirrors and lighting fixtures with > lukewarm suds, adding a little ammonia to both the suds > and rinse water. > > If woodwork is refinished with paint or enamel, > pretreat and suds the same as walls. > > Heat causes most plastics to melt and fuse. If there > is no heat damage, smoke and water have little or no > serious effect and plastics can be washed with suds. > > Wash porcelain enamel with hot suds. A special > cleaner of the type used for automobiles may be needed to > remove heavy smoke discoloration. > Removing Smoke Odor After A Fire > > Removable, washable/cleanable items > > Wash or dry clean, as appropriate, clothing, > curtains, bedding, etc. Send area rugs out to be cleaned, > or clean as described for carpets below. > > Walls: > -Wash with ammonia or trisodium phosphate or > detergent solution and rinse well. > -Apply compound "BIN" (or others which act as both > a sealer and a deodorizer). It seals the sooty residue > which didn't wash off so it can't bleed through new > paint; penetrates into dry wall and seals surface; seals > smoky smell in. > -Then repaint. > > Carpets: > Do NOT shampoo. Extract with steam extractor. Hire > professional truck-mounted unit, which is many times the > horsepower of home rental units. > > Lingering Smell: > If smoke smell lingers, rent a couple of ozone > machines and put around house. They filter, circulate, > and purify air. (Ozone is nature's way of purifying air.) > Removal of smell is gradual but it works. > > Check on commercial air purifying machines to see > what they recommend using for removing smoke odors (may > vary among brands). > > Odor removers such as "Odor Away" and other brands > may also help lingering odors. > Cleaning Upholstery and Mattresses After A Fire > > Any piece of upholstered furniture heavily coated with > soot should be cleaned by a professional service. If > attempting to clean at home, vacuum the surface to remove > spotty deposits of soot; then sponge with a turkish towel > dipped in cleaning fluid. These and other solvents are > very flammable. Work outdoors if possible or in well- > ventilated rooms with open windows. Be absolutely sure > there is no flame or spark anywhere in the area where it > could ignite vapors from solvents--no flame, pilot light, > spark, no smoking. Discard cloths in tightly closed metal > can, in trash. You don't want to start another fire! > > Also avoid breathing vapors wile working. Read label > on solvent and follow directions! The solvent will loosen > oily soil so it can be wiped off with a dry cloth. > > If the upholstery is washable, the next step is to > "shampoo" the entire surface with "dry"suds made by > beating a handful of dampened detergent to make thick > lather with no extra moisture to soak into the fabric. Or > use upholstery shampoo. Use this dense lather on a sponge > or soft brush to lightly scrub one section, and scrape > the soiled suds off with a spatula or knife. Repeat with > clean suds, then wipe that section with a clean damp > cloth. Continue shampooing and rinsing until all the > upholstery is clean. > > Wind a strip of clean cloth around a ruler, dip it > into "dry" suds, and use it to wash between the seat and > the arms or back of a chair or sofa. Wrap a clean damp > cloth around the ruler to rinse those crevices the same > way. Use only clean suds, clean water, and clean cloths. > If a professional steam extraction service is hired to > clean carpet, have them also clean upholstery and extract > water. > > For quick drying, open window, and turn on an > electric fan. If windows are closed, turn on air > conditioner if you have one, and also at same time use > dehumidifier in the room with upholstered furniture to > pull out the water. > > Clean mattresses and foundations as for upholstery > starting with dry cleaning solvent to reduce smoke odor > but observe all the cautions and warning listed for use > of these products. Before washing, let the solvent dry > for a day or longer. Observe caution in using cleaning > fluid. Read the label carefully and follow precautions > suggested.Basic Salvage After A Fire > > 1. Fast action is advised. > a) Separate and remove undamaged items to prevent > possible contamination; > > b) Air the premises or use a smoke odor counteractant; > > c) Clean up; > > d) In cold weather, prevent further damage from freezing > pipes by restoring heat or by draining boiler, pipes and > toilet bowls; > > e) Board broken windows or holes to protect the > property against trespassers and the elements; and > > f) Have an electrician check electric lines, motors, and > other equipment. > > 2. Water must be removed. > > If there is a volume of water to be removed use a > pump, broom or squeegee. Be careful not to cause added > damage by splashing water. All moisture should be > absorbed as rapidly as possible to prevent floors from > warping. Sponge mops can be used to take up small amounts > of water. Borrow or rent (from an equipment rental store) > a wet-or-dry vacuum to extract excess water from carpets > or other water-holding surfaces. > > Use a dehumidifier to pull water out of carpets, > furniture and other materials have absorbed water. A > heavy duty suction machine maybe required to remove > deposits of heavy bulk soil. > > If the fire was caused by an oil burner explosion, > everything is likely to be covered with oil-base soot > which must be removed promptly. Moderately-strong > solutions (washing soda, trisodium phosphate, ammonia in > warm-to-hot water) dissolve grease and can be used to > remove oil-base soot from surfaces. Wear rubber gloves on > hands, and scrub with sponge or soft-bristle brush; rinse > thoroughly with warm water and clean sponge or cloth, > changing water frequently. Start with 2 > tablespoonsful/gallon; add more alkali if needed to > remove soot, but remember too strong a concentration can > remove paint or other finishes. (However, walls, etc. > will likely need to be repainted or refinished anyway.) > > Smoke residue contains combustion products which vary > according to what was burned. Foam rubber, petroleum, and > synthetic products which contain petroleum produce toxic > smoke and leave an oily residue that is difficult to > clean. > > Insurance companies usually assign adjusters to > advise clients about property restoration. The homeowner > may wish to engage a professional service organization > that specializes in such cleaning to make the premises > liveable again. Effective deodorization of smoke may > require wide-area spray deodorization by a professional > service firm that specializes in the treatment and repair > of fire and smoke damage. However, many salvage > operations can be performed by family members if they > know the proper techniques. See also the entries under > "FLOOD" for more information on drying out and cleaning > up interiors. Remember though, cleaning after flooding > includes disinfecting which may not be necessary after a > fire. Quick drying is important to avoid mildew, rot, and > stains. >
