Want to be prepared in case of a fire?
Here’s all you need to know.
Witnessing a fire can be one of the most distressing and traumatizing experiences. Fires tend to spread really fast causing damage and havoc that you alone are unable to bring under control.
The fire extinguishing doesn’t address all the damage; there is a lot more to cater to with your prized possessions having been incinerated and the roof of your house left unstable. Businesses also suffer financially in the case of a fire. However, prompt handling post-fire can reduce financial distress and emotional trauma.
Fire Damage Restoration
Fire damage restoration has a phrase called the “golden hours” of recovery, which are the first 24-48 hours after a fire and are most crucial in the restoration process. Buildings and personal assets can deteriorate and corrode faster under layers of acidic soot and smoke damage. Dry chemicals or water are usually used to put out fires and any toxic smoke odor that remains needs to be deodorized and neutralized.
The Process
Property Stability
The first step is to ensure the property is stable and safe to access. Any structural damage will be assessed externally before opening the door.
If you have any doubts and think your house is unsafe and might collapse on you, wait for an inspector and let the professionals handle it.
Handle Damage
Smoke and soot cause damage even after the fire has been put out. Here’s what you and the professionals need to be cautious about post-fire; mold and mildew, staining from soot, air quality within the house, and rust and corrosion.
Soot staining is when the soot sticks to the surface and discolors objects. The stain can be removed based on the material of the object and how long it has been discolored. If not handled immediately, it could cause permanent discoloration. There are some materials that are sensitive and the color cannot be removed from it, like plastics, grout, metal, carpets, wood, and textiles.
Removal of Debris
The first thing to do before proceeding with the process of restoration is to remove all the soot and debris from within the property. As mentioned previously, the longer the soot remains on the surface, the more damage it can cause. The removal of soot and debris also improves air quality and reduces odors.
Removal of Personal Possessions
Items that cannot be repaired should be removed carefully to avoid injury. Items that haven’t been damaged extensively and can be repaired should also be removed to make the cleanup process easier and prevent further damage to them.
Removal of Excess Water
After extinguishing a fire, there might be pools of water on the floor and the walls and furniture might be soaked too. This excess water should be cleaned immediately as it could damage the walls and furniture and even cause injury.
The Final Cleanup
The final step of this cleanup process is deodorizing, deep cleaning, and removing the stains. Professionals would establish which products need to go through which process and which cleaning material should be used based on the material of the product, and the extent of the damage.
Ensure the professionals update you throughout the process.
Hire a Professional
STOP Restoration of Fort Mill SC offers fire restoration services that include emergency board-up, demolition, removal of soot, deodorization to control odors, and even assist you with packaging and storage.
