A house fire leaves behind more than the damage you can see. Soot travels into rooms the flames never reached, water used to put the fire out soaks into flooring and wall cavities, and materials that looked solid the day before can be structurally unsound. Knowing the order to work through it makes the job less overwhelming and a good deal safer. Fortunately, Magic Skip Bins now have specific fire debris skip bins available.

Here is how a typical fire damage cleanup unfolds, and where the risks sit.

Wait for clearance before you go back inside

Nobody should enter a fire-damaged building until the attending fire crew has confirmed it is safe. Fires can reignite from hot spots buried in wall cavities and roof spaces hours after the visible flames are out, and floors, stairs and roof structures may have lost strength even where they look intact.

If the property has been isolated from power, gas or water, leave those services off until a licensed tradesperson has inspected and reconnected them.

Contact your insurer before you move anything

Most insurance policies want the damage recorded before a clean-up begins. Call your insurer as early as you can and ask what they need from you, because the answer varies between policies and between claims.

As a general rule, take plenty of photos and video of every affected room before anything is shifted. Photograph damaged contents individually where you can, and write down what you remember about the higher-value items: brand, rough age, what you paid. Insurers may also send an assessor, and moving debris ahead of that visit can complicate the claim.

Wear the right protection

Fire residue is not just dirt. Burnt synthetic materials, treated timber, plastics and insulation leave behind a mix of soot and chemical residue that irritates skin, eyes and airways.

At minimum, anyone helping with the clean-up should have a properly fitted P2 respirator, safety glasses, disposable coveralls, gloves and sturdy closed footwear. Ventilate as you go, take regular breaks in fresh air, and keep children and pets well away from the work area until it is fully cleared.

Work out what can be salvaged

Sorting is usually the slowest part of the job, so it helps to have a clear rule for each category.

Soft furnishings such as mattresses, lounges, pillows and rugs hold smoke odour deep in the fibres and rarely come back, even after cleaning. Food, including anything sealed in the pantry or fridge, should be discarded because heat and smoke can penetrate packaging. Cosmetics and medicines exposed to heat go the same way.

Metal, ceramic and glass items often clean up well. Timber furniture can sometimes be restored depending on how deep the charring goes. Documents, photographs and artwork with sentimental value are worth setting aside for a specialist restorer rather than binning them on the spot.

Anything electrical that was exposed to heat, smoke or water needs a qualified check before it is switched on again.

Separate the hazardous material out early

Some things cannot go into a standard bin under any circumstances, and mixing them in creates problems at the disposal end.

Asbestos is the big one. Queensland homes built or renovated before 1990 may contain asbestos in wall sheeting, eaves, roofing and floor coverings, and fire damage can leave it broken and friable, which is the most dangerous state it can be in. If there is any chance asbestos is present, stop and arrange a licensed removalist. Magic Bins provides asbestos waste bins by prior arrangement, and this material must never be mixed with other waste.

Set aside paint tins, chemicals, oils, gas bottles, batteries and tyres as well. These go to a council household hazardous waste facility, not into a skip. Brisbane City Council and the surrounding councils all run drop-off points for this kind of material.

Getting the debris off site

Once the sorting is done, the volume of material left over usually surprises people. Charred timber, damaged plasterboard, roofing sheets, ruined carpet and household contents add up quickly, and a fire-damaged room generates far more waste than the same room would during a renovation.

A fire debris skip bin placed on site lets you load progressively as you sort, rather than stockpiling debris in the yard while you work out what to do with it. Magic Bins delivers these bins across Brisbane and surrounds from the Acacia Ridge depot, and the team can talk through what you are clearing before anything is delivered.

Keeping the load to non-hazardous fire debris also keeps the disposal straightforward, which is another reason the sorting stage is worth doing properly.

When to bring in a specialist

Not every fire clean-up is a DIY job. Structural damage, a fire that spread through the roof space, heavy smoke contamination through a whole house or significant water damage from firefighting all point towards a professional restoration company.

Insurers frequently appoint a restoration contractor themselves, so check before you engage anyone directly. Smoke odour trapped in wall cavities and ducting is a particularly common reason people end up calling a specialist after attempting the work themselves.

Take your time

There is no prize for clearing a fire-damaged property quickly. Working through it methodically, with the right protection and the hazardous material separated out, gets a better result than rushing, and it keeps everyone involved safe.

If you need a bin on site for the clear-out, the Magic Bins team can help you sort out what you need. Call 07 3829 9457 or enquire online.