[Michael D]

Hi all,
         I have been asked to clean a small office, it was damaged by fire and water
but has been left for about 5 months due to claims draging on. Can anyone offer advice on how to tackle soot on block walls, and what is the best method to take on this job.  Michael D

[martin19842]

hi there

where are you in the country

we undertake this type of work, i am more than pleased to talk to you about this

please give me a call

07771 526246

regards

martin

[John Kelly]

Hi Michael, this is a specialised business, especially commercial and you can come unstuck big time if it isn't done properly. If its just a small office with plain walls and ceiling then it shouldn't be much of a problem. You can't clean it. All you will be doing is removing the contamination ready for re-decoration. You need to remove any dry soot then spray the walls with a high alkaline detergent & deodouriser, then wipe off. You need to keep using clean cloths so will need a good supply.
All the light fitting and sockets will need cleaning inside, make sure the supply is isolated. The smoke will have travelled everywhere there is a gap or void. These areas also need de-contaminating.
If the office has a false ceiling or cable ducting then you are in a different ball game and I would suggest you sub it out. Smoke residues are acidic and eventually burn through plastics. As this has been left so long there could be major problems with computer cables etc.
A case study to bare in mind: A janitors cupboard caught fire in a very large office. The cleaners cleaned up and a builder re-built the cupboard. Nobody gave a thought to where all the noxious gases from the chemicals had gone too until 6 months later all the computer systems started failing. This was when they discovered the ceiling voids were full of soot. They had to re-locate and it cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
And the company, an Insurance company, can you believe it

[jasonl]

I agree , its is involved, I did a job , 3 years ago 500 flats , some partially constructed, took 65 men, 15 weeks to clean and cost 800k , pity it i was only managing it for a larger company was good experience though, 8 steam cleaners jetting a massive underground carpark , 14 lift shafts, all common areas, loads of voids and false ceilings. My advice is to get raining , or get some one in to project manage it for you .