Time to Call a Professional

12/5/2023 (Permalink)

Soot in Warehouse

Grease fires can spread very quickly and the damage can be very intense, so it is always imperative to call a professional.  The damage of a grease fire can most often leave a heavy scent of smoke throughout your home.  It can also leave soot covering your kitchen, including the ceiling, cabinets, and much more. No matter what, there’s going to be grease residue and soot everywhere, grease is notoriously difficult to clean.

Calling a professional like the ones at SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park that have the knowledge and experience to quickly and effectively repair damage from a grease fire, as well as the tools and solutions to get the job done, is always the best decision.  In addition, Our Team will know the proper techniques for taking care of grease fire residue on different materials. It is in your best interest to only let a professional do this. 

Residue can often find its way onto paper, wood, plastic, natural substances, etc., there’s a proven process for cleaning each.  Each process is different. A professional has the knowledge to take care of these different materials in the best way possible for each.

Be Proactive While You Wait.

If you have experienced a grease fire in your home or in your restaurant, it’s important to be proactive. Here’s a few pointers of what you can and should do immediately:

• Find a Professional: It’s likely you’ll need fire damage restoration professional like SERVPRO to help. 
• Remove Pets and Children: Smoke and soot can cause health effects in both people and animals. So until the environment has been cleaned and repaired, children and pets should be taken out of the home. 
• Replace Your Filters: Because of the smoke and soot’s ability to travel throughout your house, it’s important that you change out your air filter. Replace the filters on your refrigerator also. 
• Toss Out Food: Discard any food substances that were out when the fire struck. Soot and smoke particles most likely have contaminated your food.
• Clean Cabinets: It is most likely your cabinets are covered with soot inside and out. Wipe them down. While initially cleaning them is important, you may need a professional to sand, reseal and repaint the cabinets to fully remove the odor.
• Check Appliances: If your microwave is located close to the fire it may need to be discarded.  The smoke scent is very difficult to be removed from the plastic. Check the gasket seals on your refrigerator for damage as well. If they are impaired, it may be time to get a new refrigerator. This is another area where professional guidance can be helpful.

Never enter a structure that has been affected by any kind of fire until it has been declared safe to do so by the fire department or other public authority. If you have any doubt about the structure’s soundness, wait until a professional can assess it.

There can be Hidden Damage Caused by Kitchen Grease Fires.

You can see soot when it is clinging to your kitchen ceiling and cabinets. But a restaurant kitchen fire or a home kitchen fire can leave damage that’s not as easy to see.

If not addressed, flames from a grease fire can find their way into the ductwork and cause damage there that will only get worse.  Smoky odors leftover from a grease fire can also linger if they aren’t dealt with in a professional manner.

Hidden damage is yet another reason why it’s often a good idea to call in professionals for help cleaning up after a grease fire. If left to take care of the damage on your own, you may get your kitchen and home looking great, but the hidden damage can cause problems down the road.  This can also hurt your home’s resale value. A professional will know all the places to look. They will also know how to repair that damage.

 Call SERVPRO of Babylon/Deer Park at 631-661-3802 for any emergencies, questions, concerns, and estimates. Here to help!