Avoiding Secondary Damage After A House Fire

You may think that when the fire is out, the damage has already been done. Unfortunately, the damage continues in the form of chemical degradation, moisture/mold problems, and odor issues. To minimize the damage, contact a fire damage professional that can assess the extent of the damage and start the cleaning and repair process as soon as possible. 

Chemical Degradation

Soot and smoke residues are usually acidic and very chemically active, attacking the surfaces they fall on or stick to. Chemicals from smoke residues can permanently stain or change surface finishes, the texture of fabrics and the performance of finishes and textures. Most furniture and flooring is made out of synthetic material that, when burned, create a complex variety of chemical reactions which cause corrosion on metal surfaces. The endless possibilities of chemical combinations demand knowledge both of corrosive substances and the sensitivity of different surfaces on the technical equipment. For example, stainless steel must be treated much different from a usual iron surface.

As qualified technicians inspect your home, they establish the best ways to remove the layers of soot deposited in different parts of the structure without damaging it further. Proper cleaning is necessary before repairs to cabinets, ceilings or other fixtures can be made. This will prevent bad odors from sticking around and material degradation. Salvageable items might need to be sent out to be cleaned properly.

Water/Mold Damage

In most fires, firefighters use some form of liquid to quench the flames of a housefire. The liquid that they use can cause an extensive amount of water damage. Also, holes in the roof or walls and broken windows leave homes exposed to the elements. If a storm passes in, your home is not protected from the water. Wet areas are quickly susceptible to mold growth.

To attack the problem, professionals will take a variety of steps. The first stage in drying is removing liquid water. The second is removing moisture from the air to allow materials to dry through evaporation from the surface. Normal household dehumidifiers are not adequate; restoration contractors have high-performance dehumidifiers that can dry very rapidly. However, an experienced contractor may also want to proceed slowly enough with the drying to avoid warping and cracking.

All Brite Cleaning’s Guaranteed Results

To prevent more damage, hire a professional fire and smoke damage cleanup professional immediately after the fire is extinguished and your local fire department has issued an okay to return to the property.  The professionals at All Brite Cleaning & Restoration can take care of all aspects of fire damage cleanup to ensure that your property is completely restored.

All Brite Cleaning & Restoration, Inc. provides cutting-edge technology and outstanding service experience in and around in Laconia. Every job comes with our 100% risk-free guarantee. If you are not happy with the work, they will come back and redo it for free. And if a spot reappears, call within 30 days and they’ll come back and fix it – no hassle and no charge. Still not satisfied? They will refund your money. Call 603-556-4624 or visit allbritecleaning.com