If you’re in the process of restoring your home after any fire and smoke damage, there’s no doubt that you’ve already noticed the unique type of loss that has been dealt to your home. From charred flooring to discolored walls to damaged possessions, this is only the beginning!
Underneath the damage caused by the flames and radiant heat is any possible amount of water damage, caused by any firefighting efforts used. Whether the local fire department had to be called in or your building’s sprinkler system took care of the blaze, it’s important to never ignore the inevitable water damage that follows fire damage.
Water damage restoration is just as important as fire and smoke damage restoration, and ServiceMaster Restoration by Neverman Construction Company is here to help you understand why both are needed after a fire and discover the necessary steps needed to handle this unique blend of property damage.
What Types of Damage Is Left Behind After a Fire?
Fires can deal a lot of damage, even if it’s put out quickly. There are four different types of damage your home will have to recover from after a house fire:
Flames
Fire consumes everything in its path! So, if you have something flammable in your home, and the fire comes near it, there’s a good chance that it will go up in flames.
Unfortunately, many of the items and materials charred by a house fire become damaged beyond repair, meaning that they will likely be unsalvageable and must be removed, properly disposed of, and replaced.
Heat
Fire can get very hot – up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact! At these temperatures, materials like plastic can melt, glass can shatter, and enough radiant heat can cause more fires to break out in the home. To have the areas in your home affected by heat properly repaired and items restored, turn to a professional restoration team.
Smoke
If there’s a fire, smoke is sure to follow. While the fire’s smoke is composed of elements that make your home unsafe to be in, the damage smoke leaves behind doesn’t stop there.
Smoke will float to seemingly every part of your home, sticking to furniture, decor, curtains, walls, ceilings, floors, and more. This contact causes discoloration wherever it lands and creates a lingering smoke odor that can be hard to remove without commercial-grade solutions.
The only true upside here is that the majority of smoke and soot-damaged items can be returned to normal through vigorous cleaning, odor removal, and other professional restoration methods.
Water
While you may not consider it a direct result of the fire, water damage is inevitable and needs to be addressed immediately. The water and pressure from firemen’s hoses are great in extinguishing flames but can also introduce their own host of problems.
The water will soak into the charred materials and spread to other areas of the home unaffected by the fire. If left unchecked or missed during fire damage restoration, the water damage will only worsen with time and can lead to mold growth, safety issues for your home’s structure, and unsightly appearances around your space, including warped flooring, peeling paint, and visible stains.
Water Damage Mitigation Is Key In Fire Damage Restoration
Once the fire has been extinguished, the water left behind can be a ticking time bomb of damage. And even if you think the water damage may not be extensive, it’s important to seek help from a professional restoration company (like ServiceMaster Restoration by Neverman Construction Company) to ensure a comprehensive solution.
A large part of how successful property damage restoration is after a residential fire is how quickly the water damage gets under control. This is where water mitigation comes in – an essential first step in the restoration process.
What’s Included in Water Damage Mitigation?
Water mitigation is often the first step of the fire, smoke, and water damage restoration process after a damage assessment has been completed. This addresses the water damage head-on and includes steps to prevent further problems for your space before, during, and after restoration.
Steps in the post-fire water mitigation process include:
- Inspection and damage assessment to assess the level of water damage
- Isolation of water damage to affected areas to prohibit water from spreading to dry areas
- Inspection of your home’s foundation for structural stability
- Extraction of any standing water from the property
- Structural drying with commercial-grade equipment
- Site cleanup that will clear away debris, pack out salvageable content for restoration, and make way for reconstruction services
We’ll also complete additional damage mitigation by boarding up broken windows and doors, applying tarps to holes in roofs, and completing other steps to prevent additional damage and threats to your home while the repairs are taking place.
What You Should Do After Fire Damage
Whether a kitchen fire, electrical fire, or wildfire, it’s important to know the proper steps to take to keep your family safe and get your home on the road to restoration:
- Call 911 – As soon as you notice a fire in your home, call 911, shut off your utilities if possible, and evacuate the premises. Grabbing personal items may put you in harm’s way, so it’s best to get to safety and wait for help from firefighters.
- Contact Your Insurance – It’s best to inform your insurance company immediately that a fire has damaged your home. They’re a great resource and can provide the extra information you need to ensure a smooth restoration.
- Seek Help from a Professional – Once ready to repair your home, turn to ServiceMaster Restoration by Neverman Construction Company for help. We work with qualified local restoration professionals to clean up and repair all kinds of property damage, including fire, smoke, and water.
ServiceMaster Restoration by Neverman Construction Company Can Ensure a Professional Reconstruction of Your Home After a Fire
Instead of trying to repair your home’s fire damage via DIY guides, allow the team at ServiceMaster Restoration by Neverman Construction Company to help. We provide a full line of damage restoration services that can fully restore your home or business after any disaster and ensure the process is as stress-free as possible!
Our team can even work with you and your insurance company to ensure everyone is updated during our services! This is just a small example of how our team always goes above and beyond for our customers and provides them with all the resources, professional insight, and care needed to thoroughly restore their properties in Columbus and the nearby areas.
Contact us online to request your fire or water damage restoration services in Columbus.
