The Residual Damage Caused by Fires | SERVPRO® of Madison/Goodlettsville

6/4/2019 (Permalink)

When dealing with fire damage, there is more to be cleaned up than just what is affected by the flames.

Fires leave behind soot and smoke that can continue damaging property long after the flames are extinguished, and that can give rise to other issues such as mold and rust as well. If left untreated, this damage can compound over time, becoming more difficult and costly to remediate.

Untreated Fire Damage & the Issues It Can Cause

If you’ve been affected by a fire, it is important to call your restoration team right away to prevent giving rise to other issues such as:

Mold Damage. After a fire, affected areas are often left without any artificial or natural lighting. If the fire was doused with water or set off a sprinkler system, this creates mold’s ideal environment to thrive. Mold can quickly begin growth on almost any surface, leading to discoloration and damages to items and structures.

Soot Damage. Soot is the most common form of carbon byproduct that materials produce when they burn. Most home and commercial fires consist of multiple burned materials, leading to soot that is highly acidic. This acid can cause damage to nearly any surface it comes into contact with, with porous or textured surfaces being the most at-risk. Any soot allowed to remain in the affected area can lead to damage of carpets, walls and unburnt portions of the house. The longer the soot is allowed to sit, the more unlikely the damage can be reversed.

Corrosion and Rust Damage. Rust and corrosion might not be the first thing you think of when you consider fire damage, but water left untreated on small electronics can cause it to develop and greatly increase the risk for short-circuits or electrical shock.

Questions to Ask a Fire Restoration Company

Finding a fire restoration company that you can trust to restore your home to pre-damaged conditions is difficult if you are unsure what to look for. These questions are worth taking the time to ask as you shop around:

* Do they have a Master Fire Restorer on staff?

* Can they do all levels of restoration, from cosmetic to construction?

* Will they fully clean and sanitize the area to prevent mold growth?

* Do they use industrial-grade air scrubbers to remove odors?

If you’ve been affected by a fire, know that SERVPRO® of Madison/Goodlettsville hits all the above qualifications and more. Contact us today to learn how we’re able to make it “Like it never even happened.”