Fire Damage & Smoke Restoration Service

4/17/2024 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

Call SERVPRO of Deerfield Beach at 954-596-2208
Faster to any size disaster™

SERVPRO of Deerfield Beach is here to help remediate disasters caused by fire.  Whether you’re dealing with a home or office fire, we can help.  Our goal is to make it “Like it never even happened.”

What does SERVPRO® do after a fire?  Each fire damage event is different and requires unique handling, but the general process is the same.  These are the usual steps taken: 
    

1. Emergency contact: the process begins when you call SERVPRO of Deerfield Beach at 954-596-2208
2. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
3. Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service
4. Water Removal and Drying
5. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
6. Cleaning and Sanitizing

SERVPRO of Deerfield Beach has the IICRC certified skills to provide restoration services in compliance with globally recognized standards. We thoroughly document all damages, take numerous photos, and work with your insurance to give you complete peace of mind throughout the restoration process. 

Common Fire Hazards in Deerfield Beach Homes

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Many materials found in homes burn quickly, fostering the fire to leave a great deal of damage behind it.

Common Fire Risks in Deerfield Beach Residences

If you have never experienced a house fire in your Deerfield Beach, FL home, you may feel as though the chances of a fire actually occurring are slim. According to the NFPA, every year over 358,000 house fires happen. Compared to the number of residential homes in Florida alone, that number can seem small. However, that number can easily increase, making it important to remain vigilant and take preventative measures. There are many fire hazards commonly found in a home, though here are the top five:

1. Cooking

50% of fires in 2019 began in the kitchen. This is due to the number of heating appliances found as well as the number of accidents that occur. Leaving a flammable item by a hot stove or accidentally causing a grease fire are both accidental culprits. Overloading a cooking appliance or reaching unsafe temperatures are also sources of fires.

Cooking also happens outside of the kitchen, especially in the Florida summer. Taking safety measures while grilling is a must. Keeping the grill clean and well maintained as well as far away from your home, decorations, or any overhangs can keep fires at bay.

2. Candles

Lighting a candle to set the mood for a party, dinner date, or even a relaxing bath always seems like a great idea. Leaving the candle unattended once it is lit for long periods of time is absolutely not a great idea. Most candles are not made so that their flames are contained; any nearby fabric, paper, or other fuel source can attract the candle’s flame. Candles are also easily knocked over, especially when someone is not paying attention. If candles must be lit, keep them far from any flammable item and make everyone in the area aware of it as well.

3. Faulty Wiring

Equipment malfunction, blown circuits, broken or faulty wiring can all be fire hazards. Often, no other source of fuel is needed for an electrical fire, meaning they may happen quickly and without much effort. It is important to replace any broken wires or no longer use them, making sure they are unplugged. Refraining from overloading a circuit or outlet is recommended as well.

4. Appliances

Dishwashers, stoves, HVACs, dryers or washing machines can all be at the center of a house fire. All of these appliances have systems that cause them to heat up, either purposely like when cooking or just from everyday use. They also all have mechanical and electrical systems that can need replacement over time.

Routine cleaning of dryers and washing machines is highly recommended as failure to clean them can lead to fires. Removing all lint from the dryer after each use and checking all vents should be a part of a preventative routine.

5. Smoking

Smoking, whether a cigarette, cigar, or now e-cigs, is known to be a fire hazard for homes. There have been cases in which residents have fallen asleep while smoking or left a lit cigarette unattended. It is best to do all of your smoking outside when possible as well as completely turn out each cigarette or cigar before leaving the area.

While the cause of a house fire in Deerfield Beach can differ from case to case, these are a few commonly known hazards. In any situation, it is best to use common sense, be aware and properly use any items that can be potentially flammable.

Dealing With Soot and Smoke Damage After a Fire

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

If your home experiences fire damage, you need help immediately to mitigate the damage. SERVPRO of Deerfield Beach is available 24/7 for you.

After A Fire, How Do You Deal With Soot And Smoke Damage?

If your home in Coconut Creek, FL, has sustained, the restoration process isn’t always cut and dry. Even if it is a small fire, smoke damage that isn’t properly addressed may seem like it never goes away. Understanding the effects of smoke and ensuring proper cleanup are essential in restoring your home back to “Like it Never Even Happened.”

Common Types of Damage

It’s important to know that not all smoke and soot damage is the same. Some types are easier to clean, while others can smear or permeate the porous materials in a home. There are four common types of damage:

Dry Smoke: Fast-burning, high-temperature fires produce this kind of smoke. It is usually a powdery texture that is easier to clean than other residues left behind. This type can find its way into hidden areas, leaving a long-lasting odor behind.

Protein Residue: Most associated with kitchen fires, it tends to be easily missed. Although it may not leave visible streaks behind, it has a strong odor and discolors surfaces.

Fuel or Oil Residue: This type is not often associated with a home fire, but it can happen if a furnace experiences a puffback. This residue is dense and hard to clean.

Wet Smoke: If the fire was smoldering at low heat, the damage left behind is considered wet smoke. It is also associated with burning rubber or plastic. It is especially odorous and leaves behind sticky, black smoke damage that smears if not properly cleaned.

Cleanup Process

While the damage left behind can feel overwhelming, there are professionals available to help that are trained on all forms and techniques of smoke cleaning. A fire damage and restoration specialist can focus on cleaning and restoring as much of your belongings as possible via an array of industrial techniques. From ozone machines to eliminate hidden odors to numerous methods of soot removal, the damage can be eliminated the right way.

Smoke damage is one of the many negatives of experiencing a fire. Having a better understanding of what you are facing and finding the right help makes it easier to deal with the cleanup process.

When Should You Change Your Home's Smoke Detector Batteries?

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Most home fire alarms are designed to alert you when the batteries need changing.

When Should You Replace the Batteries in Your Smoke Detectors?

The smoke alarm in each room of your Lighthouse Point, FL, home alerts you if a fire breaks out, giving you and your family time to leave safely. Since the function of these devices is so important, you may want to make maintaining them properly a priority. Checking the batteries in each smoke detector in your home is an effective way to perform simple maintenance, and there are a few times you can do so.

When the Unit Makes Odd Noises

Most home fire alarms are designed to alert you when the batteries need changing. While sounds may vary for different models, they may include:

• Chirping
• Beeping
• Intermittent tonal notes

If a smoke alarm makes these noises consistently, then change out the batteries and replace the unit. This should stop the alarm sound.

During a Test

Most smoke alarm models come with a test button, and testing the unit at least once a month can let you know whether you need to change out the batteries. You can test each alarm on the first of every month so it becomes a habit. Some newer units have batteries that can last up to 10 years, allowing you to test less often.

After Any Fire Damage

Even a minor fire at your home can damage your fire alarms, so having them inspected by a company that specializes in fire restoration and smoke cleanup can help you decide whether any unit needs replacing in the aftermath. Smoke and heat can damage the alarm's sensors, making them unreliable. In the event of another fire, any affected alarm may fail to sound, so having the batteries and the internal components checked is a wise course of action.

Protecting your Lighthouse Point, FL, home with dependable smoke alarms can reduce the risk of serious and costly damage that comes from smoke and heat. Knowing your alarms work and how to replace and test the batteries may provide you with better peace of mind when it comes to the increased safety of your home and family.

The Costs and Relevance of Business Fire Insurance

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage cleanup in Lighthouse Point, FL.

The Costs and Importance of Commercial Fire Insurance

Surviving the devastating consequences of a business fire in Lighthouse Point, FL depends upon many factors. Your company will find that its preparations before a disaster strikes will be critical in many areas. The presence of a strong commercial insurance policy is among the most important elements that determine how quickly your company will rebound after a fire. Understanding the features of your policy is an important first step.

Insurance and Fire Damage
The damage from even a small fire can run into thousands of dollars. For 2020, the National Fire Protection Association estimated that all fires in the U.S. accounted for nearly $22 billion in property damage. While this includes large and small fires, the nature of fire and the technical nature of cleanup typically result in high expenses. Many factors are considered in the cost of your commercial insurance policy:

• The construction quality and materials of a facility
  
• Occupancy levels
  
• The presence of fire prevention devices
  
• The proximity to fire hydrants and the fire department
  
  

One helpful thing is that the cost of your policy can be written off as a business expense. Also, the potential cost of a fire is insupportable for most companies, making insurance a necessity to pay for repairs and property damage.

Insurance and Fire Restoration
A good insurance policy should pay for the services of a professional fire restoration company. These services include everything from the initial response, the boarding up of a building to prevent further damage and liability issues, the presence of security services and the cleanup of soot and smoke odors. The technicians will also engage in cleaning and sanitizing the building and making it safe for employees to return. The final step could involve the restoration of burned structures.
Most businesses require strong commercial insurance to protect their financial interests in the face of fires and other unpredictable events. Familiarity with your policy is a basic but important step for your company.

3 Ways To Deal With Fire and Water Damage

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

If your home experiences fire damage, you need help immediately to mitigate the damage. SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day to respond to your needs.

Three Approaches To Fire And Water Damage

Water and fire damage combine when a fire hose is used to extinguish a blaze. These hoses can introduce hundreds of gallons of water into a home and make cleaning up and restoring damage more difficult. Homeowners dealing with both fire and water damage should hire restoration professionals. Here are three ways that experts handle compound damage.

1. Remove Water

Extracting standing water is a top priority. The water used to suppress a fire immediately degrades from Category One to contaminated Category Three water as it makes contact with ash, soot, and smoke. The chemicals released during combustion make this water pose a safety risk. Damage mitigation experts may use a pump to quickly get rid of water.

2. Clear Out Ash and Soot

The next phase of the clean-up process is to address the worst of the fire damage. Remove built-up soot and tear out porous materials exposed to open flame, excessive heat and dirty water. In general, carpet, drywall and insulation are ruined by this combination of factors and may pose a heightened risk of mold if left intact. Restoration should not proceed until the area affected by fire and water is dry.

3. Dry the Area

Once an area damaged by fire and water no longer contains standing water or excessive amounts of soot, it is necessary to promote drying. Restoration professionals may recommend additional ventilation or a dehumidifier to draw out residual moisture. Rebuilding can only take place after the area has become completely dry.

These ways of dealing with combined water and fire damage can help homeowners anticipate the equipment and duration of time necessary to complete the cleanup process. A company that specializes in damage restoration can ensure that each of these methods is done as quickly and thoroughly as possible to reduce the risk of further damage to a home in Deerfield Beach, FL.

Sprinkler Systems – Benefits and Drawbacks

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

The periodic maintenance of the sprinklers is essential to avoid the damage that their poor condition can cause, at SERVPRO we can help you.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Sprinkler Systems

Overhead water sprinklers are one of the oldest and most common methods of protecting a business from fire. While they can keep flames under control, they also have a few unfortunate side effects in the form of water damage. From standing water to mildew, water sprinklers can cause or trigger some unpleasant side effects. Learn the top ways that sprinklers can necessitate water cleanup in your Kings Point, FL, business and what you can do.

Because they can tamp down fires before they get out of control, fire sprinkler systems are required in many cities to meet commercial and retail building codes. Despite their benefits, sprinkler systems aren’t without major after effects:

• Overspraying damage
• Standing water
• Mildew

Overspraying

Sprinklers are sensor operated, but they don’t automatically turn back off when the fire is gone. That can lead to water damage from overspraying. Water gets logged in porous surfaces such as carpeting, drapes and other upholstery, setting the stage for a costly mildew problem and water cleanup expenses – on top of the standard smoke cleanup and other fire cleanup expenses.

Leaks

Even before a fire suppression system is activated, it can cause troubles. Because these systems are mechanical in nature, they’re prone to failures like leaks. A minor leak in a system in an apartment building can result in the release of thousands of gallons of high pressure water, damaging units across several floors.

Pooling Water

While a huge leak can cause problems detailed above, even a minor drip from a few sprinkler heads can result in damage. Pooling water can begin to form beneath the head, again setting the wheels in motion for mildew and mold.

Water damage is a surprising but very real effect of a fire. Monitor sprinkler systems monthly to mitigate some of the risk, and if you’re already a victim, connect with a time-proven water cleanup company to get back to normal fast.

Smoke Poses a Severe Threat to Home Electronics

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

Fire can damage your home in ways you never considered. Smoke, for example, spreads tiny particulates throughout your home.

Smoke Is a Serious Threat to Electronics in the Home.

Fire can damage your home in ways you never considered. Smoke, for example, spreads tiny particulates throughout your home. Standard fire cleanup procedures handle most of this damage, but your electronics may still be at risk. Smoke can deposit corrosive residue on sensitive electronic components and circuit boards. In time, the corrosion may cause the device to fail. The solution is to evaluate all your devices for smoke damage and consider the recommended actions.

Insurance Coverage Affects Your Decision to Evaluate and Repair or Replace.

It is a good bet that your decisions regarding damage to home electronics have a lot to do with who is paying. You will probably follow insurance company instructions if they are paying for everything without a deductible. You will want to be more selective if you are paying. Here are some things to consider.

1. The device was in a smoky area of your home, and the internal fan was running. If this device is important to you, it is the perfect candidate for fire cleanup. The internal fan that keeps the device cool instead filled the enclosure with smoke. Turn it off immediately. The device should be evaluated and probably cleaned or replaced.

2. The device was in a smoky area of your home but was turned off. You should have this device evaluated if it is important to you. It should have suffered minimal damage with the fan turned off.

3. The device was not important to you. The device might be an old TV or computer that you would rather replace than repair.

Only Skilled Technicians Should Evaluate Smoke-Damaged Home Electronics.

Evaluation of smoke damage is not a job for just any electronics store in the Deerfield Beach, FL area. Inspection of fire-damaged equipment requires someone who knows what to look for and how to repair it. When you bring in a local team of fire cleanup experts, they will help address your home electronics restoration needs.

Clothes Dryers as Fire Hazards

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

Dryer fires can happen to any Deerfield Beach homeowner if you don't clean your vents.

Fire Risks from Clothes Dryers

The clothes dryer is one of the greatest home appliances ever invented. You throw in wet clothes, turn some knobs, wait a while and soon your clothes are dry. The only maintenance you need to perform is to clean the lint trap after the cycle is complete. This last step helps keep your dryer running efficiently; however, this alone does not eliminate the risk of a lint fire.

All About Lint

The mystery of the missing socks and where the dryer puts them is still with us. For lint, however, there is no mystery. The trap captures most of the lint. What the trap misses accumulates inside the body of the dryer and the vent hose that leads outdoors. It is this accumulation that sets the stage for a dryer fire.

The Right Time To Clean Your Dryer Vents

If you sense that your clothes are taking longer to dry, it is time. Even if the drying time seems OK, it is still a good idea to clean the vent hose periodically. Heavily used dryers should be cleaned more often, while lightly used dryers need cleaning less often. The task may seem a bit intimidating but it is certainly easier than dealing with the effects of a lint fire.

Steps for Cleaning a Dryer Vent

• Pull the dryer away from the wall.
• Remove the vent hose from the dryer.
• Clean both the dryer exhaust and vent hose where they come together.
• Scrub the entire length of the vent hose with a tool specifically designed for this purpose. It is basically a brush and a long flexible handle.
• Reattach the vent hose and push the dryer back into position.

After a Dryer Fire

A lint fire can occur even if you are careful. Before picking out that shiny new dryer, you need to deal with the fire damage. For this you can call on the services of restoration specialists in Deerfield Beach, FL, to get your life back to normal as quickly as possible.

Lightning and Its Fire Risk to Your Residence

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

A sudden bolt of electricity has immediate consequences upon touching your home. Everything it passes through is at risk for becoming a house fire.

Where there’s a lightning strike, there’s likely going to be fire. Your home in Coconut Creek, FL can be affected by one during stormy weather. When a bolt with a five-digit temperature comes in contact with your building’s materials, a lightning fire is unavoidable. Knowing the risks of this weather event and its scope helps you be prepared to stop its worst outcomes.

The Dangers of Lightning Striking Your Home

The sudden bolt of electricity has immediate consequences upon touching your home. It can cause fire in multiple ways during its extremely quick journey:

• Roof or attic catching fire from the direct hit of heat
• Wires carrying the bolt and igniting
• Electrical devices receiving a surge and sparking to ignite nearby flammables
• Debris falling and knocking over open flames from candles used during power outages

The strike will travel through most of your home while pathing towards the ground. Everything it passes through is at risk for becoming a house fire.

Your Entire House Is at Risk of Fire

While it may come as a shock to have it strike your home, you should immediately start looking for warning signs of imminent danger. If you see smoke or smell a burning scent, you should contact your fire department immediately while doing what you can to safely contain the lightning fire.

Lightning Indirectly Causes Home Fires Too

Lightning doesn’t have to precisely strike your house to become a fire risk. When striking a neighbor’s home or outdoor greenery, the fire remains a risk to your own home. In woodland areas, it can cause wildfires that creep towards neighborhoods while being difficult to contain.

Its Damage Can Be Undone

A strike will definitely be a surprise if it hits your home. Damage will be done without much you can do to prevent it. Fortunately, a professional fire damage restoration crew can treat the aftermath of a lightning fire to restore your home to as it was before the damage. By knowing where to look and what to expect, you can minimize damage and maximize the chance of restoration.

How To Create a Fire Evacuation Plan for Your Pets

6/29/2021 (Permalink)

Include pet preparation in your fire safety plan.

How Do I Set Up An Emergency Pet Plan?

No one wants to consider the possibility of facing a fire emergency in their own home, but it could happen at any time. Coming up with a fire plan is key to getting yourself and your family out safely. But what about your pets? If you don’t include pet preparation in your fire safety plan, you may not be able to get your furry friends out in time. Make sure this heartbreaking situation doesn’t happen by following these steps to create a fire evacuation plan for your pets.

1. Keep Pets Away From Fire Hazards

If you have any potential fire hazards in your Coconut Creek, FL, home (such as space heaters or fireplaces), keep your animals away from those areas. A simple baby gate or leash can be used to confine your pets to the safest areas of your home so they can’t start a fire. If you plan to leave the home, turn off all heaters, electronics and other potential fire hazards beforehand.

2. Use a Pet Alert Window Cling

If firefighters have to get you out of your home during a fire emergency, they’re not likely to know you have animals inside as well. As part of your pet safety plan, purchase or create a pet alert window cling that includes the number and type of pets inside your home. Keep the window cling affixed to a front window where it can be easily seen by rescuers.

3. Put Pets Near Doorways When You Leave

Whenever you leave the home, make sure your animals are located near a front doorway so they can be easily rescued if needed. You may choose to confine your pets in a playpen or put them on a leash so they don’t wander from the area while you’re gone.

These steps will make it easier for rescuers to bring you and your pets to safety in the event of a fire emergency. You may also want to have the number of your local fire restoration experts on hand to help you repair damage after a fire.

Tenant and Owner Responsibilities After a Fire

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Fire can be one of the most destructive forces of nature there is

Whether you've experienced an apartment fire, a commercial fire or a fire at a rented home in Deerfield Beach, the effects can be devastating to both the tenant and the landlord. It may not be clear who is responsible when it comes to the fire damage. Depending on the circumstances, liability can be divided up very differently. Let's look at some particulars.

Landlord Responsibilities

Generally, the landlord is responsible for hiring the restoration company to repair structural damage after a business, house or apartment fire. Damage may include:

• Structural damage to:
o Walls
o Floors
o Carpeting
o Pool Houses
o Sheds
• Damage to fixtures and appliances:
o Cabinets
o Countertops
o Plumbing
o Electrical wiring
o Supplied appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators

Tenant Responsibilities

In most cases, the tenant is responsible for any damage done to his or her personal property. The tenant will have to go to his or her insurance company to recover the loss of items such as:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Computers
• TVs
• Tenant-owned appliances
• Video game consoles
• Musical instruments

Liability Claims

Sometimes, there is a question of who is liable for the damage. If the landlord is proved to be responsible (for instance, due to negligence regarding the property's electrical wiring), he can be made to pay for damage to the renters' personal belongings, wages lost, costs related to finding another place to stay, and more. Conversely, if the landlord can prove that the renter was somehow negligent, the renter may be responsible for any costs related to repairing the property. If the landlord is unable to prove this, he will be liable for any structural repair, as it's the landlord's responsibility to see to it that the property is in a livable condition.

Be Prepared

Whether you are a renter or a landlord who's suffered a commercial fire, apartment fire or house fire, you will need to make sure that you have immediately contacted your insurance company, have made a detailed list of any property that's been damaged, and taken pictures of any damage to the structure and property, as well as any evidence of negligence. That way you will be prepared for any subsequent questions from the insurance company, and ensure that you're only incurring cost for the fire damage that you're actually responsible for.

Remove Smoke and Odor from Your Home for Good

4/22/2021 (Permalink)

We specialize in fire and water damage restoration.

Maybe you just recently purchased a home in Deerfield Beach and there is a distinct odor throughout the house. Maybe you own a condominium building and one of your tenants was a heavy smoker. Either scenario would call for heavy duty cleaning and odor removal.  

Odors that stem from smoking can be nauseating and potentially harmful to your  health. Cigarette smoke is especially difficult to remove as the smell tends to linger, permeating walls, furniture, and carpets. Moving in air purifiers or repainting walls may seem like a quick fix, however these smells can return. All items in the vicinity of the smell would need a thorough cleaning, even those that do not appear to be porous.

The smell of burning wood is great for store bought candles. Candles fill the immediate air with a pleasant smell; this smell is gone once you blow out the flames. Unlike candles, the smell of burning wood from a fire is much different and semi-permanent scent. Scents from a fire are implications of all the items that were burned including building materials, chemicals, or household plastics. If your home still smells like fire, you may have harmful particles still present in your home.

Another source of odors are water and mold, causing mildew-y, musty, or wet smells throughout your home. Depending on the source of the water or where mold is detected, these odors will need to be professionally removed as well.  

Regardless of where the odor is stemming from, calling a professional to remove these stenches are necessary. Companies like SERVPRO of Deerfield Beach have the equipment and EPA-approved chemicals to safely remove all traces of odors from your furniture, walls, and flooring. Other items affected by odors like clothing or bedding can also be rid of any smells lingering. Call us today to ask about our smoke and odor removal services.

The Benefits of Regular Furnace Maintenance

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Change the furnace filters.

Furnace Maintenance 

During times of cold weather, your furnace must bring you heat when you need it the most. To increase the likelihood of this happening, it makes sense to have a regular maintenance plan for this important item in your home in Coconut Creek, FL. A few of these items you can do yourself, such as changing the furnace filters and making sure there are no obstructions around the unit. It is also a good idea to keep combustible items away from the heat source, so you won't need any fire cleaning services. For professional maintenance, it is best to call in a licensed HVAC contractor.

The Value of an Efficient Furnace
Dirt is one of the biggest enemies of your heating system. It can cause your unit to run less efficiently and it can cause wear and tear on components and hardware. A clean and well-oiled furnace provides many benefits to your home:

• A quiet and efficient operation
  
• A reliable heating unit
  
• An absence of emergency repairs
  
• A safe system
  
  

A well-maintained furnace is just one way to increase fire safety in your home. If you do need fire cleaning services, it is also important to hire a trusted fire mitigation franchise. Trained technicians will arrive at your home quickly and help you minimize damage and reduce costs.

The Importance of Smoke Cleaning
Even a small fire has the potential to cause soot and smoke damage. Fire restoration experts use advanced equipment and cleaning techniques to remove the most difficult stains and the most pervasive smells from a home fire. To deodorize a home, an odor control technician uses tools such as ozone machines, thermal foggers and air filtration devices. They understand the science behind smoke odors and can usually remove all hints of unpleasant smells. This is just one aspect of professional fire cleaning after a home fire, whether it is caused by your heating system or some other source.

Fire Damage for Deerfield Beach Homeowners

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

We specialize in fire and water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business.

In 2017, FEMA and the National Fire Department Registry recorded over 450 fires in Florida, many of these in residential areas. Many hazards can be found in a Deerfield Beach home, sufficient enough to start a house fire. Fires can spread quickly, based on the area they originate and the materials they come into contact with. Many materials found in homes both burn and damage differently. This list will provide a better understanding in fire damage and restoration for Deerfield Beach homeowners.

1. Walls

Walls in Deerfield Beach home are typically made from drywall, while there are others that may use plaster. Both have been deemed non-combustible with a very high fire resistance. However, damage is possible via peeling, smoke, or water. While burning the drywall completely is a longer, more difficult process for the fire, there can be smoke residue or brittle areas on the wall with paint peeling. Water used to put out the fire may also penetrate through the wall, wetting materials and causing secondary damage.

2. Flooring

Depending on the material your floor is made of, fires can leave no damage at all. Porcelain tile may have soot in need of cleaning, while other natural stones can be affected by smoke damage. Floors made of wood, vinyl, or laminate can easily be burned, warped, or discolored, often needing complete replacement.

3. Furniture and other valuables.

Upholstered furniture can be restored through cleaning and deodorizing. Textiles like bedding, curtains, or clothes can also be salvaged if they have not be in contact with flames. Non-porous surfaces may need to be wiped down, removing soot and other particles. Items that have been directly burned, may not be salvageable if removing smoke or odor is not feasible. These items will need to be individually inspected to determine whether they need to  be replaced. 

Different materials, whether found in a home’s foundation or as it’s content, are affected by fires differently. Some items do not burn at all, some items are easier to restore than others. After any fire, big or small, thorough fire restoration is needed as damage can go beyond what is just visibly seen.

The Harmful Effects of a Fire

3/27/2021 (Permalink)

A professional fire restoration company like SERVPRO of Deerfield Beach has had years of experience responding to fire jobs.

In an instant, anyone can experience a fire in their home, suffering damage and possible loss of valuable items. Unfortunately, home fires are common in Deerfield Beach as a fire only needs three elements to begin: oxygen, heat, and fuel. Kitchens, electronics, lamps, or candles are all possible sources of heat, while close to everything found in a home these days can be a fuel source. Fire damage, depending on the source of the heat or the amount of fuel there is to be burned, can range in size and effects.

1. Smoke

Smoke is comprised of tiny particles that did not fully burn or combust in a fire. Regardless of where the collection of particles came from, smoke inhalation poses a huge threat to homeowners. Different materials when burned release different chemicals. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are among the chemicals created from fires. In large quantities these chemicals are dangerous and damaging when allowed to linger in the air. Varying particle irritants other elements may also cause irritation to the respiratory system, so it is important to rid a home of smoke before occupying it once more.

2. Soot

Another effect of fire damage, soot contamination is similar to that of smoke damage. Soot is also made up of particles including chemicals, metal, or dust. It is not recommended to allow soot to go untreated, any exposure can impact indoor air quality and potential health risk.

3. Odor

The burning of wood might be a great smell coming from a candle, but this is not the case in a house fire. The presence of odor is the remainder of smoke having made its way into the material left allowing it to linger. Aside from the nuisance odor causes, there are also health effects to consider.

Regardless of the size of a fire, fire damage can still affect a home. Once it is safe, calling a professional restoration company to inspect your home is imperative for the well-being of your home and loved ones. Our team can properly provide a full range of all the damage your home has endured after a fire and what will happening during the restoration process. A fire can be scary but seeking professional help for your fire damage can leave you with a peace of mind.