At Gateway Restoration, we recently had another case of a fire-damaged garage after an incident with the homeowner’s microwave. The fire caused damage to one of the walls and the ceiling, while thick smoke spread throughout the garage, covering the furniture and other belongings in soot. Our team responded quickly to remove affected materials, clean the area, and eliminate smoke odors with our expert smoke and fire restoration, ensuring the space was safe and ready for use once again.
The Cause of the Problem: Microwave Malfunction
The homeowner had been using a microwave in the garage when it suddenly caught fire. The flames quickly spread to a nearby wall, damaging the drywall and sending smoke and soot throughout the space. The ceiling also suffered heat and smoke damage, and the furniture in the garage was covered in soot, leaving a mess that required professional attention.
The Recovery of a Fire-Damaged Garage: The Process
To restore the garage, we followed a detailed process to remove fire-damaged materials and clean up smoke and soot.
Inspecting the Damage and Creating a Plan
Our first step was to assess the damage. We checked the structural integrity of the garage, inspected the burnt drywall and soot-covered materials, and determined the extent of contamination. Then, we went on to create a step-by-step plan for a safe and effective restoration.
Removing Fire-Damaged Materials
The removal process involved three stages:
- Furniture Removal: First, we removed the furniture and non-salvageable items from the garage for the insurance adjuster to review. This step was necessary to ensure the homeowner received compensation and replacement of damaged items.
- Drywall Removal: Then, we removed the burnt drywall from one heavily damaged wall to prevent structural issues and eliminate lingering smoke odors.
- Insulation Removal: Finally, we took out the damaged insulation behind the drywall to prepare the area for further repairs.
Drying Water Left from Firefighting Efforts
After the fire was extinguished, a significant amount of water remained in the garage, creating the risk of mold growth and further structural damage. To tackle this problem, we used industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out excess moisture from the floors, walls, and any affected belongings.
Cleaning Soot and Smoke Residue
Smoke and soot had settled on the furniture, walls, ceiling, and garage floor. We used HEPA vacuums to remove fine soot particles and prevent them from spreading. Then, we used air scrubbers, which are used to filter out contaminated smoke particles and improve air quality.
Wiping Down and Deodorizing the Space
To remove the stubborn soot stains, we carefully wiped down all affected surfaces with specialized cleaning agents designed for fire restoration. Our team treated the garage with a special solution to eliminate any remaining smoke odor. With this step, we finished the deodorization process and could move to repairs.
Repairing the Garage Wall
After confirming the fire-damaged garage was completely cleaned and deodorized, we repaired the burnt drywall and replaced the insulation. We patched and repainted the wall to restore it to its original condition.
Final Inspection and Customer Satisfaction
Once all repairs were completed, we checked every corner of the previously fire-damaged garage one last time to make sure no traces of smoke, soot, or fire damage remained. We walked the homeowner through the restored garage, checking if everything was to their liking and guaranteeing their satisfaction with the results.
Contact Gateway Restoration for Expert Garage Fire Damage Restoration and Soot Removal!
Need to restore your fire-damaged garage? Look no further than Gateway Restoration! We provide fast, thorough, and professional smoke and fire damage restoration services in Chandler, AZ, and surrounding areas. Contact us today at (480) 990-4142, or fill out this online form for a free estimate. Count on us for expert services to get your space back to normal!