subject: Fire Damage Restoration [print this page] Most home owners are fortunate enough that they will never know just what a fire damage restoration expert does. If you are ever unlucky enough to be faced with a house fire, you will be left dealing with water, fire, and smoke damage to your home and belongings. Some background knowledge of the process that a fire damage restoration company will follow can help you to make the right choices and keep things running as smoothly as possible.
The first thing a fire damage restoration specialist will do is assess the damage. One of the most important considerations is the type of smoke involved. To a layman, all smoke might seem the same, but skilled professionals can easily identify various types of smoke. The dangers and the clean up are different, so it's important to know what they are dealing with.
Wet Smoke - Usually a result of smoldering materials, wet smoke has a pungent odor. It is thick and sticky. Instead of wiping clean from surfaces it smears.
Dry Smoke - This comes from first that burn hot and fast. This is closest to the generalized "soot" that inexperienced people think of.
Protein-Based Smoke - This form of fire damage is serious. The odor is distinctive and very unpleasant. The smoke itself is invisible, but causes bad discoloration on varnished and painted surfaces.
Fuel Oil Soot - This type of fire damage is most often generated by furnaces that release a puff of black smoke. Oily and thick, this is full of hazardous chemicals.
After assessing the situation, a fire damage restoration company will begin cleaning the home's surfaces and possessions. Many home furnishings have to be replaced after a fire, but some can be repaired. When surfaces are cleaned, they need specialized solutions to make sure that dangerous and carcinogenic substances are removed thoroughly. Soft surfaces such as carpets and fabrics can sometimes be cleaned, but often need replacing.
Once the home is clean, the fire damage restoration experts can concentrate on making sure all traces of odors are removed. One commonly used tool is the thermo-fogger. The thick, hot smoke a thermo-fogger creates can reach deep into cracks and crevices to truly eliminate odor-causing compounds. Reaching the hidden areas ensures that the odors are gone, not just covered up.
The next step in fire damage repair is HVAC sanitation. Fire damage restoration companies remove foreign materials from vents and ducts. Unseen bacteria and other microorganisms can lead to illness in residents if not removed. Residual moisture can lead to dangerous mold and mildew. Especially for residents with allergies or respiratory problems, this step is crucial.
Perhaps one of the most important things that a fire damage restoration company can do is be your advocate. Accustomed to dealing with insurance companies, they can ensure that your paperwork is handled properly so that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Home owners that are forced to cope with fire damage repair need an experienced company on their side.
If you experience Water Damage, Fire Damage, Smoke Damage or Mold Damage please visit www.EmergencyRestorationOne.com. Our certified restoration professionals will restore your home back to the safe environment it was before your loss.
