Water Damage & Flooded Basement Restoration Services

Clean, Repair and Disinfect Floors

By Jonathan Meyer

Once the fire is extinguished and the structure is determined safe, you probably want to start cleaning and disinfecting to allow your family to get back to normal as soon as possible. Cleaning the floor is an important step toward cleaning your home.

Choosing the right cleaning and disinfecting method depends on the extent of the damage and the type of floor coverings. Different cleaning techniques are utilized for wood floors, carpets, vinyl, linoleum, and tile.

Before You Start

Before you can start salvaging your home and contents, you must take safety measures to confirm that the structure is determined safe. Make sure that the fire is completely extinguished and that the damaged items have been properly cooled down.

Many of the solvents and cleaning materials are very flammable. Be absolutely sure there is no flame or spark anywhere in the area where it could ignite cleaning material vapors. If possible, work outdoors or in a well-ventilated room with open windows.

Water Damage?

If the structure suffered additional damage from water as a result of extinguishing the fire, you will have to address that problem first and dry out the structure and content to prevent potential mold growth. For more information about recovering from water damage, please visit our water damage education center.

Hire a Restoration Professional

Hiring a restoration professional to help with your restoration process will minimize your loss as utilizing the appropriate knowledge and equipment will guarantee the best results. In addition, a fire damage restorer will be able to provide great results for soot and odor removal.

Assessing the Damage

Before you start cleaning your floor, assess the damage. If flooring materials are burnt or scorched, you will most probably need to replace the scorched area or even the entire floor. If the damage is mainly soot stains and smoke odors, the floor can be salvaged and deodorized.

Wood Floors

Generally, it is recommended to consult a flooring specialist about the particulars of your wood floors and the recommended cleaning technique.

One universal technique is to combine 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water and using a soft cloth, rub the floors in a circular motion. Use a dry, soft cloth to immediately dry the floor after applying the solution.

After the floor is cleaned allow it to dry out completely and apply a layer of wax as recommended for your specific type of flooring.

Carpets

To learn more about carpet cleaning, please refer to our article on how to clean, dry, repair, and disinfect rugs and carpets.

Tile, Linoleum and Vinyl Floors

To learn more about tile, linoleum, and vinyl floors cleaning, please refer to our article on how to clean, dry, repair, and disinfect tile, linoleum, and vinyl floors.

Recommended Reading
Recovering from Fire Damage: Cleaning, Repairing and Disinfecting