Soot and Smoke Residue are Just as Big a Problem
When a home or business experiences a fire, the effects damage more than the particular pieces of property the fire physically touched. Certain perishable items or materials erode in reaction to smoke and soot residue. These items can become damaged beyond repair even though the fire never physically touched them. For this reason, it is crucial you call a professional right away after a fire has been put out by the fire department. Once we arrive on site, we can assess all property damages and come up with a custom restoration solution for you. When you act fast, you are able to salvage certain items that may have been ruined if left to corrode for too long. At Olde Fort Restoration, we care about the recovery process and want to help you restore your property to its fullest potential after a fire damage disaster in the greater Cincinnati area. Look for these additional signs of damage after a fire:
Spoiled Food
Smoke particulates penetrate boxed and bagged foods, contaminating those foods with carcinogens. You should never eat any food that has been exposed to smoke or soot from a property fire, since the particulates in the smoke can also contain potentially harmful vapors from the materials burned in the fire. Heat from the fire can also cause cans or other sealed items to expand and contract, leading to spoilage. If the electricity was affected and had to be turned off, you may want to check your freezer and fridge for spoiled food.
Leftover Soot and Smoke Residue
Smoke particulates can infiltrate into any part of your home or office, even rooms where the fire did not occur. Smoke particles measure only about 0.004 microns wide and can work their way into your clothes, furnishings, carpet, wallboard, insulation, and foods. Depending on the materials burned in the fire, different types of smoke residue can happen and be resting on various surfaces. Natural materials like wood and paper will result in ash while more synthetic products like plastics or fabrics will leave a smeary residue that can actually result in even more damage when cleaned improperly off of surfaces. When cleaned improperly, oil from your hands can compound the soot and result in further damages. It is always the best choice to hire the professional fire damage cleanup crew at Olde Fort Restoration, as it can be difficult to determine the most appropriate cleaning method if you don’t have the knowledge of different types of fire and smoke damage.
Water Damage
This one may not be the first thing on your mind after experiencing a fire, but oftentimes the water used to put out fires can have their own lasting effects on your property. You’ll need to properly dry out your carpets, walls and belongings to prevent mold or mildew from developing. Water damage is also a time sensitive issue, so calling a professional right away remains the smartest option for obtaining a full recovery after a fire.
Olde Fort Restoration is a full service disaster restoration and reconstruction company. We can restore your property and belongings to pre-loss condition after fire damage, water damage, and wind or storm damages. If you need help recovering from a recent property disaster, call us today in the greater Cincinnati, OH area.