Fire damage is considered the worst kind of property damage. Apart from the destruction caused by flames, your property also sustains smoke and water damage. Every home and business owner should have well-maintained charged batteries and fire detectors to prevent these scenarios from happening. Also, putting an extra effort to create a routine for checking these materials will help.
However, fires can still occur regardless of safety protocols. In these cases, you need to secure an escape plan for your loved ones and employees and call firefighters for help.
After dealing with flame damage with firefighting efforts, reach out to an expert fire and damage restoration company to rebuild your property. While fire can devastate your sense of security at home, cleaning smoke damage on your own may be more challenging.
What Is Considered Smoke Damage?
Smoke damage is pervasive yet subtle destruction in the aftermath of a fire. Smoke from a fire usually contains a dangerous mixture of toxins and chemicals that not only wreak havoc on your property but also harm your health. More specifically, the smoke has an unpleasant odor, and inhaling it can damage your lungs. In other cases, it causes corrosion and discoloration of items, which can be difficult to alleviate.
One needs to conduct fire and smoke damage restoration depending on the smoke source. Here are some key points to look at concerning this matter:
- Wet smoke is challenging to clean due to low heat.
- Fire from high temperatures usually results from a quick-burning fire.
- Fuel-oil smoke usually brings about soot due to furnace malfunction.
- Invisible protein smoke usually causes foul odors and varnish discoloration.
Fire or Smoke: Which Is Easier to Contain?
Fire is easier to control than smoke. Compared to the visible combustion of heat energy and light from a fire, smoke is more difficult to spot. It usually blends in with the air, making it even more impossible to contain further damage.
Even if it is only a small indoor fire, smoke damage can occur. That’s because smoke is a hot, toxic substance made up of tiny particles of fire. So, like fire, it can damage everything it touches.
Contrary to popular belief that smoke rises into the air and disappears by diffusing, diffusion causes smoke to spread. Rather than dissipating, smoke even affects a broader area than what the fire has touched. Plus, the longer putting out a fire takes, the more extensive smoke damage would be.
To restore the aesthetics and stability of your property completely, you need to hire professionals for fire and smoke damage restoration.
Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Services: How Does It Work?
Professionals from fire damage restoration companies usually focus on restoring hundreds of commercial and residential properties to their pre-damaged state. These experts usually deal with all forms of fire damage with 24/7 services that allow them to attend to all emergencies, no matter where or when they occur.
The team initially makes sure that the property’s structure and foundation are secure before performing any emergency repair for secondary damage prevention. Upon visiting your property, they will conduct a damage inspection, make an estimate, and assess the scope of work needed. Afterward, they will explain the information gathered and impart the repair process intended to alleviate the situation.
The team uses specific methods for different purposes. These are extraction methods to remove any standing water and dehumidification processes to eliminate moisture. Following that would be smoke and soot removal.
Restoration or Replacement?
Cleaning smoke damage is almost unfeasible without professional help. In general, this type of restoration service entails professional-grade equipment. It requires expert knowledge on where smoke could travel and the best cleaning and restoration methods to apply on particular materials and surfaces. It also involves understanding if and when items require restoration or replacement.
However, a reputable fire damage restoration company will clarify that some items are irreparable and are not worth the cost and effort. That said, they will coordinate with your insurance adjusters and collaborate with you on any foreseen insurance issues.
How to Deal With Fire and Smoke Damage
After firefighters have put out the flames, the next step is to contact a professional fire and smoke damage restoration company to manage the situation and help your property recover.
Water intrusion from firefighters, soot, and item damage can lead to significant issues. To help you get back on your feet, here are some ways that you can apply once it’s safe to enter your property following fire and smoke damage:
- Take as many items that are left undamaged by water and fire.
- Turn off your fans and open all doors and windows to vent out smoke and dry out surfaces.
- Take all recovered clothing to a laundromat or dry cleaner.
- Wipe all counters and surfaces with soot.
Choose Deep Water for Your Restoration Needs
If you encounter fire and smoke damage in your home or business, call Deep Water Emergency Services!
As the leading water damage restoration Omaha, NE, Deep Water offers 24/7 emergency restoration services for your convenience. Serving in the industry for over 20 years, we are continuously helping home and business owners rebuild their properties using top-grade restoration equipment and seasoned expertise. For inquiries, contact us today!
