What Is The Restoration Process For Fire Damage?

12/8/2016 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be extremely devastating to a home or business. Emergency responders will be quick to act in order to put out the fire, but possibly leaving behind significant water damage. The initial destruction that is done only becomes magnified by lingering smoke and soot. The traumatic experience can leave business owners and families desperate for help. Certified restoration professionals can help restore a house or office building back to its original condition.

An assessment of the fire damage should be conducted as soon as possible. The process of restoration is very involved and requires time and diligence. The assessment will determine what type of harm occurred and how to proceed with the restoration process. In the procedure of extinguishing the fire, emergency responders will use either water or dry chemicals, which compound the initial destruction caused by the fire. The lingering soot and smoke needs to be attended to because both can cause quick deterioration and corrosion of the building. Additionally, smoke also leaves behind a pervasive odor that is noxious and can be dangerous to breathe in. Removal of smoke odor is a multiphase process that begins during the initial clean up. It is imperative to begin the restoration process within the first few hours to stabilize and preserve as much as possible. The following steps should be conducted by an experienced professional who has knowledge about fire damage.

Step 1. The initial clean up should occur as soon as possible. The harm caused by soot and water can lead to more severe problems down the road. It is important that these issues are addressed immediately. Professionals can assist home and business owners with inventory services. Everything affected that can be restored should be removed and thoroughly cleaned.

Step 2.  Any walls, roofs, or windows that were affected will need to be boarded up and tarped off. This is to prevent further damage and ensure a measure of security is in place.
 
Step 3. Water must be removed as soon as possible to avoid additional issues, including mold growth. Professionals will have high-quality water vacuums, dehumidifiers and air movers that can remove almost all of the water and speed up the drying process. The dehumidifiers help prevent floors and walls from warping.

Step 4. Cleaning and sanitizing all restorable items to prevent staining. Certified technicians have access to professional grade restoration products that prevent soot from staining various items.

One of the most difficult aspects about fire damage is the lingering effect of smoke odor. This type of odor is difficult to remove because it can affect every aspect of a building, including wood frames and HVAC systems. One of the techniques that is used by professionals to remove the odor is called thermal fogging. Thermal fogging is highly effective because it mimics the size of smoke particles. The particles produced by thermal fogging attach themselves onto the smoke particles. By doing so, the smoke particles are no longer recognized as an odorous element. Thermal fogging is a popular technique because it many times completely eliminates the problem. Professionals will use thermal fogging in conjunction with other equipment and processes to ensure that the odors are eliminated.

The final step in the restoration process is replacing and repairing anything that couldn’t be cleaned or restored to its previous condition. Drywall, paint, and carpets may have to be installed if the fire damage was severe. By understanding the restoration process following a fire, home and business owners can easily see the need for hiring certified professionals to handle the task effectively and expediently.