Fire and flood: When to call an emergency cleanup team

When your property sustains severe damage from fire or flood, the immediate aftermath can be overwhelming. A specialised form of recovery is needed: emergency deep cleaning and sanitisation. This work goes far beyond standard cleaning, focusing on mitigating further damage, preventing mould, and preparing the property for repair.

Knowing precisely when to call professional cleanup and building services—and whom to call—is the first critical step toward recovery.

1. Fire damage: More than just soot removal

A house fire is devastating, but the lingering effects of smoke and soot can continue to cause harm long after the flames are out. The residue from burning materials is corrosive and highly toxic.

When dealing with a fire, you need an emergency deep-cleaning team immediately for three key reasons:

• Soot mitigation: Soot particles are acidic and quickly etch into materials. These residues must be removed within hours to prevent permanent damage to fixtures and surfaces.
• Odour removal: Smoke penetrates deep into porous materials and ventilation systems. Cleaning professionals use industrial-grade equipment to permanently neutralise deep-set smoke odours, which regular cleaning cannot achieve.
• Debris clearance: They manage the initial, unsafe task of clearing fire-damaged materials and debris, making way for structural builders to begin the renovation work.

2. Flood and water damage: The race against mould

Whether caused by a burst pipe, a leaking appliance, or a severe storm, water damage is a race against the clock. Mould can begin to grow in saturated materials within 24 to 48 hours, making immediate intervention essential.

If you have significant water ingress, search immediately for an emergency flood cleanup specialist. The service should focus on:

• Water extraction: Rapid removal of standing water using commercial pumps and wet vacuums.
• Drying and dehumidification: Placement of industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry the structure. This is vital for preventing long-term structural issues and mould growth.
• Sanitisation: Treating the area with professional-grade antimicrobial agents, especially if the water was unsanitary (e.g., sewage backup).

Why use Rated People for post-disaster recovery

In these stressful and urgent situations, finding a reliable contractor is critical. You need someone who can quickly assess the damage and provide the necessary initial cleanup to prevent secondary problems like corrosion and mould before the full restoration begins.

The professionals on Rated People are ideally suited to manage the key post-disaster tasks:

• Cleaning specialists handle the essential, immediate tasks of water extraction, drying, sanitisation, and soot removal.
• Builders and refurbishment contractors are listed as specialists in “Fire and Flood Renovation” and can step in quickly to manage the structural repairs and refurbishment once the property is safe and dry.

Rated People is invaluable for finding builders and cleaning specialists who are reviewed, local, and experienced in managing fire and flood cleanup projects, ensuring you get transparent quotes and trustworthy service without delay.

With Rated People, you have the power to get it done. Find a trusted, local tradesperson today.