What Are the Challenges of Melrose Fire and Smoke Cleanup After a Kitchen Fire?

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

After a fire took place in the kitchen of your home, quick action is necessary. Contact SERVPRO to assess the situation and formulate a plan.

The Protein-based Residues Created in Melrose Kitchen Blazes Require SERVPRO’s Professional Fire and Smoke Remediation Strategies

It can be astonishing how widespread the need for Melrose fire and smoke cleanup is following even a seemingly minor kitchen fire. A property-wide inspection and assessment often finds characteristic protein-based soot on walls, ceilings, tables, and other surfaces several levels away and down long hallways. The soot spreads far from the ignition site, carried on super-heated air currents.

How Is Protein-Based Residue Created?

SERVPRO crews expect to find a variety of soots ranging from light and ashy to thick and sticky depending on what burned in your Melrose home. Trained SERVPRO technicians type the soot, critical to matching it to cleaning agents and methods that will loosen, dissolve, or emulsify the soiling. Protein-based soot is unique, not necessarily the result of combustion, developing as the temperature of a cooking source (burner, oven, rotisserie, grill) rises high enough or applies long enough to dry all the moisture out of food ingredients. The remaining particles of dehydrated oils, rancid grease, sugars, and proteins become airborne, coating surfaces with an almost colorless but exceedingly pungent and adhesive coating.

What Cleaning Products and Techniques Conquer Protein-Based Soot?

SERVPRO Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained technicians use various combinations of the following fire and smoke remediation products and cleaning methods to complete kitchen and house fire clean up:

• Oil-based cleaners (solvents) to release the bond between the coating and the surface
• Increased cleaning products dwell time to break down (emulsify) the protein-based residue
• Abrasive cleaning solution additives or abrasive tools to increase agitation while loosening the residues -- professional application is safest to preserve surface integrity
• Immersion and ultrasonic tubs to accelerate residue release on smaller, portable items  

Depend on effective fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup interventions delivered by SERVPRO of Malden / Melrose. Call for a prompt assessment at (781) 665-6396.