restoration tips Page

Don't Wait for the Damage to Become Permanent.

After a disaster, you have questions. We have the expertise. Rescue Packout provides the tools and information you need to make informed decisions about your most cherished belongings.

Rescue Packout

Fire & Smoke: The "Do's and Don'ts

Fire & Smoke: The "Do's and Don'ts

Protecting Your Items from Corrosive Soot.

Soot is acidic. If left sitting, it can permanently etch into glass, metal, and wood finishes.

DO:

Change your HVAC filter immediately to stop soot from recirculating.

DON'T:

Use a standard household vacuum. This will force soot deeper into the fibers and blow fine particulates back into the air.

DO:

Place plastic wrap or foil under furniture legs to prevent "wicking" of soot into carpets.

DON'T:

Attempt to wash soot-covered walls or upholstery with water. Without the right chemicals, you will create a permanent "smear" that cannot be removed.

Fire & Smoke: The "Do's and Don'ts

Fire & Smoke: The "Do's and Don'ts

Protecting Your Items from Corrosive Soot.

Soot is acidic. If left sitting, it can permanently etch into glass, metal, and wood finishes.

DO:

Move high-value items (photos, small electronics) to a dry, climate-controlled area immediately.

DON'T:

Wipe down wooden furniture to remove standing water, but leave the deep drying to the professionals to prevent cracking.

DO:

Use a standard fan to dry an area if you suspect mold. This will simply spread spores throughout the rest of your home.

DON'T:

Leave wet books or papers in a pile. If you can’t dry them immediately, place them in a freezer bag and freeze them to stop the ink from bleeding and mold from growing.

Specialty Item Care

How to Handle the Irreplaceable.

Fine Art

Never touch the surface of a smoke-damaged painting with your bare hands; the oils from your skin can react with the soot and cause permanent staining.

Fine Art

Never touch the surface of a smoke-damaged painting with your bare hands; the oils from your skin can react with the soot and cause permanent staining.

Fine Art

Never touch the surface of a smoke-damaged painting with your bare hands; the oils from your skin can react with the soot and cause permanent staining.

Electronics

DO NOT turn on any electronic device that has been exposed to smoke or water. A "quick test" is the most common way to permanently short-circuit a restorable device.

Electronics

DO NOT turn on any electronic device that has been exposed to smoke or water. A "quick test" is the most common way to permanently short-circuit a restorable device.

Clothing

Do not take smoke-damaged clothes to a standard dry cleaner. They require specialized molecular deodorization that standard cleaning cannot provide.

Clothing

Do not take smoke-damaged clothes to a standard dry cleaner. They require specialized molecular deodorization that standard cleaning cannot provide.

Clothing

Do not take smoke-damaged clothes to a standard dry cleaner. They require specialized molecular deodorization that standard cleaning cannot provide.

Serving the Communities of KC & Denver

We know the local challenges from Denver's dry-climate wood cracking to Kansas City's humidity-driven mold. Our tips are tailored to the environments of the Heartland and the Front Range.

Serving the Communities of KC & Denver

We know the local challenges from Denver's dry-climate wood cracking to Kansas City's humidity-driven mold. Our tips are tailored to the environments of the Heartland and the Front Range.

Serving the Communities of KC & Denver

We know the local challenges from Denver's dry-climate wood cracking to Kansas City's humidity-driven mold. Our tips are tailored to the environments of the Heartland and the Front Range.

Serving the Communities of KC & Denver

We know the local challenges from Denver's dry-climate wood cracking to Kansas City's humidity-driven mold. Our tips are tailored to the environments of the Heartland and the Front Range.

Don’t Let the Damage Become Permanent.

The first 24-48 hours are critical for saving water-damaged or smoke-compromised items. Contact the Rescue Packout team immediately for a professional assessment.