How Do Restoration Experts Clean Electronics After a Fire?
5/8/2019 (Permalink)
Electronics can easily become damaged in the event of a fire at a commercial property. Appliances and devices close to the fire may melt or warp and become unusable. Even electronics that are some distance away may sustain smoke damage that can cause short circuiting and result in an electrical fire. Electronics and computer cleanup experts can take several measures to reduce the risk of fire and restore data that might otherwise be lost.
Assessing Fire Damage
Electronics may become damaged or unpredictable after exposure to fire or smoke. Several common consequences include:
- Warping due to the heat of the fire
- Corrosion due to the acidity of smoke
- Black film coating due to soot
If a device short circuits, it can cause an electrical fire. Do not attempt to turn on electronics before handing them over to cleaning experts. Specialists can check for signs of damage and clean delicate components.
Removing Residual Debris
All build-up should be removed before a device that has been exposed to fire or smoke is tested. Restoration experts may:
- Clean circuits and other metal components
- Wipe off black film
- Vacuum out ash and soot
These methods may increase the likelihood that an electronic device can be repaired. If the device is any type of computer system, these specialists may back up or transfer data.
Backing Up Data
Regardless of whether a device seems to be functioning normally, it is still a good idea to back up data. An electronics cleaning service may offer to:
- Transfer data to a replacement device
- Back up data to a storage medium
- Upload data to secure cloud storage
Rely on the specialized services of a damage mitigation and restoration company after a fire at a commercial property in St. Charles City. These computer cleanup specialists can increase the chances of retaining important data while lowering the risk of an electrical fire.