Out of the Frying Pan: What Can You Do About Fire Damage?

8/8/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be devastating for a homeowner. Aside from damaging the structure of the building, furniture, belongs etc., smoke and soot can continue to cause problems if not dealt with immediately. While everything that burned will have to be replaced, there are steps you can take to help prevent things from getting worse. First, you should seal off certain sections of your house with tarps and plastic sheets while damaged areas are being treated. Grease and soot can spread to other sections of the house, making everything worse. Odors can travel, and stains can get into your carpet, walls, and clothing. Blocking off the area can help prevent this.

Check for any leaks or other areas that could cause more problems for your home. Sometimes fire damages pipes, or there could be entry points for water in the roof. This can lead to water damage, which will only make things worse if it’s not treated right away. You can simply scan for any areas that might have this issue and keep an eye out for leaks if it rains. Moreover, you’ll need to watch out for mold and other problems that stem from water damage, as water used to extinguish fires can seep into dry wall and floors. Most often, carpet and flooring will need to be removed. These areas tend to absorb both soot and water, and it is usually much better to simply replace them. Essentially, everything that might have been covered in soot will need to be deep cleaned, and that includes clothing and other belongings that might have been damaged in the fire. Of course, some items will need to be replaced, but belongings that can withstand heavy cleaning can often be saved.

If the damaged area is not properly cleaned, the smoky odor that a fire leaves behind will never go away. There will always be at least a faint trace of that unpleasant smell. Sometimes, you can fix this problem by scrubbing the walls and floor with soap and water. Paint tends to hold odors, but if the damage is only on the surface and dealt with quickly, you might be able to get rid of it. However, sometimes these areas will need to be replaced depending on the severity of the damage. You’ll need to remove sections of drywall and perhaps even flooring. It can be difficult to tell the difference between things that can be salvaged and those that need to be replaced, but knowing will save you time and money. The professionals at SERVPRO of Northbrook/Wheeling/Glencoe will be able to discern what can be restored, and they can help you effectively remove any traces of the fire while saving as much as possible.  Give us a call today at (847)498-8889!