Avoid the Lasting Effects of Fire, Water, and Smoke Damage
10/19/2021 (Permalink)
A fire in your Black Forest, CO, home is an emotional experience that continues to affect you and your family for months after the flames are gone. This is because serious damage takes place within a very small amount of time. In addition to anything that is burned directly, you have to face water, soot, and smoke damage. The steps you take once it's safe to re-enter your home affect how well the cleanup and repair process is completed.
How To Recover From Fire, Water, and Smoke Damage
One of the first things you need to consider is how to proceed without putting yourself, your helpers, and your home at further risk. Avoid some of the most common hazards after a fire:
- Transferring soot and ash from one part of the home to another
- Putting holes in weakened structural materials
- Lifting heavy, waterlogged items without support
- Exposing your home to natural elements or intruders
Contacting the right professionals is one of the best things you can do before you can clean up and make repairs. These phone calls should include calls to your insurance provider, utility companies, and a local fire and smoke cleaning and reconstruction company.
Hire Experienced, Reputable Professionals
There are several important reasons to hire a professional cleaning firm. These experts perform a thorough assessment of the damage, including sticky, acidic soot damage. If there's an immediate concern about rain or snow, professionals are quick to tarp up holes in the roof and secure entryways. Additionally, cleanup experts plan the most efficient strategies for removing anything with smoke damage. This is a crucial step in preventing the lingering odor of smoke from reminding you of a frightening experience.
Professional cleaning crews have the experience, training, equipment, and supplies necessary to ensure a job well done. Why is this important? After a fire moves through your home, several substances pose a serious risk to your home. The water and chemicals used to put out the flames, for example, get under carpets, inside the walls, and into the attic. Cleanup experts know how and where to track down potential mold growth, so they can treat it before mold damage occurs. The soot that spreads during a fire offers another good example. This sticky material contains acid, chemicals, metals, and dust. Once it settles on the surfaces of your home, soot begins to deteriorate the surface. Experts take steps to prevent spreading this contamination and use specialized cleaning supplies for removal.
Avoid Causing Further Damage
There are several things you can do before professionals arrive. This includes removing as much debris as possible, opening doors and windows for healthy ventilation, and spreading sheets or drop cloths on the floor in high traffic areas. Work closely with experts for more tips on the steps you can take to protect your property.
The work required to recover from the fire, water, and smoke damage that has affected your home often feels overwhelming. When you involve professionals in this process, you don't have to shoulder that burden alone. The experience and knowledge that experts bring can help you feel more confident about the road ahead.