Fire Retardant Cleanup Spokane, WA
Removing Phos-Chek From Your Home
If you are coming back home after a wildfire, you might see something strange. Your roof, walls, windows, or driveway may be covered in bright pink or red stuff. Don’t worry. That is fire retardant. Planes dropped it to help save your home from the fire. It is important to to quickly start on fire retardant cleanup before it begins to set and stain.
Take a breath. Your house is okay. The retardant did its job. Now let’s get it cleaned off before it causes any new problems.
As featured on KREM 2 News during the Upriver Fire. [Read the full KREM coverage here.]
What is that pink stuff?
The pink stuff is called Phos-Chek. It is made mostly from the same kind of stuff used in plant fertilizer. The pink color is added so pilots can see where they already sprayed.
The company that makes it says the pink color fades in the sun over time. But here is the truth. We are not seeing it fade much at all right now. If you wait around for it to disappear on its own, you could be looking at pink walls for weeks. The best way to get your house back is to start fire retardant cleanup and get it off, not wait for it to disappear.
The retardant also has something in it to help stop metal from rusting. That helps a little, but it does not mean metal parts like gutters are totally safe if the retardant sits there too long.
The company that makes Phos-Chek says you should clean it off within 24 to 48 hours. Based on what we are seeing, treat that like a real deadline. The longer it sits in the sun, the harder it sticks to things like wood, stucco, and concrete.
How to clean it yourself.
All you need is a garden hose. Do not use a pressure washer. Pressure washers push the color and chemicals deeper into things like wood, stucco, and concrete. That makes the stain worse, not better.
Roof: Be careful up there. We are not getting rain for a while, so the roof should be dry, but safety still comes first. Check out the ladder safety tips on our WashGuide page before you climb up. Once you are safely up there, just use light hose pressure. A soft brush can help if it is stuck on. Work from the top of the roof down.
Siding: Spray from the top near the gutters down to the bottom of the house. Gravity will help you. Use a soft brush on any spots that are stuck.
Windows: A hose alone might leave some water spots. That is okay for now. We can come back later and do a real window cleaning once everything else is handled.
Driveway: Same idea. Spray it, let it sit, and rinse again if needed.
Plants: Rinse off your plants too. The retardant is made from fertilizer, so it might cause a little leaf burn, but a good rinse helps a lot.
One more thing. Keep your pets away from puddles while you clean. It is not something they should drink, and it is not great for fish or wildlife either.
This job takes patience. Spray it, wait 15 to 20 minutes, rinse, and repeat if you still see color.
Call The Bright Side Instead!
You have been through enough this is the last thing you want to do, trust us.
We show up when we say we will. We can usually clean an entire house, roof, siding, windows, and driveway, in just a couple hours. We know exactly which surfaces need a gentle touch and which ones can handle a deeper clean.
We know this is the last thing anyone wants to deal with after a scary fire. Good news, many home insurance plans cover this kind of cleanup. We take before and after photos of everything we clean. We also give you a detailed invoice you can send straight to your insurance company.
We are getting booked up fast, but we still have room to help your home. Reach out and let’s get your house looking normal again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the fire retardant hurt my house if I wait to clean it?
Probably not in just a day or two. But the maker says clean it within 24 to 48 hours. If it sits too long in the sun, it can stain surfaces and cause some rust on metal parts.
Can I use a pressure washer?
No. It pushes the color and chemicals deeper into things like wood and concrete. That makes stains worse. A garden hose is all you need.
Does insurance cover this cleanup?
Many home insurance plans do cover it. We give you photos and a detailed invoice to send to your insurance company.
Is it safe for my pets and plants?
It is made to be low risk, but keep pets away from puddles. Rinse your plants well since the fertilizer in it can cause a little leaf burn.
Will the pink color go away on its own?
Eventually, maybe. But do not count on it happening fast. Right now we are seeing it stay bright on homes with no real fading. If you want your house looking normal again soon, cleaning it off is your best bet.
