Fire Damage: What You Should Know
 

Although fires can be prevented, they are still often unpredictable. Here are some tips to prepare yourself for the fire damage restoration process, should your home experience a destructive fire.

While fire is always the immediate danger what it leaves behind will continue to affect the house. Ash and smoke will cause extensive corrosion, etching and discoloration, not to mention powerful odors. Our team specializes in cleaning fire and smoke damage in order to stop this before it becomes a major problem.

Before a Fire Happens

Have an insurance policy that covers fire and smoke damage. Make sure that your home is insured properly. Don’t wait to learn that you didn’t have the coverage you needed when it’s too late.

What to Do After A Fire

Get professional cleanup as soon as possible. It’s important that you contact a qualified fire damage restoration contractor (link to contact) to clean up in order to prevent permanent damage.

Practice caution when entering: fire damage leaves harmful particles in the air. Use a dust mask and gloves if you need to re-enter your home or property before cleanup.

Ventilate the home: if your home experiences fire damage of any severity, circulate fresh air in the home to help get the air and particles out.

Use professional laundering services: Draperies, clothing and other machine-washable items should be professionally cleaned in order to neutralize the acid in the soot. If they aren’t sufficiently damaged and in need of replacement, take these articles to your local dry cleaner.

Every Moment Counts

Fire damage increases and restoration costs escalate the longer neutralization, corrosion control and cleaning is delayed. Even after the fire is put out, it can still wreak havoc on your home. If you prolong the restoration of your home, you’ll extend the effects brought on by the smoke exposure.

Slow-Motion Effects of Untreated Smoke and Fire Damage

The following is a timeline from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) concerning the effects of fire and smoke on a home.

Within Minutes…

• Acid soot residues cause plastics to yellow

• Small appliances located close to the source of combustion discolor

• Highly porous materials, such as marble or alabaster, discolor permanently

Within Hours…

• Acid residues stain grout in bathrooms

• Fiberglass bath fixtures may yellow

• Uncoated metals tarnish

• Counter tops may yellow

• Finishes on appliances, particularly refrigerators, may yellow

• Furniture finishes may discolor.

Within Days…

• Acid residues cause painted walls to yellow permanently

• Metal corrodes, pits and rusts

• Wood furniture requires refinishing

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