How Does Smoke Damage Affect My Home?

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke damage from an electrical fire.

Raging fires cost tens of billions of dollars each year in damage to American homes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, firefighters respond to a blaze every 24 seconds somewhere in the US.

Fires themselves cause a lot of direct destruction, but intense heat isn’t the only problem. Smoke can cause a surprising amount of lasting harm, and homes that have survived a fire—even if they appear relatively unscathed—must be inspected quickly to determine what recovery options are needed.

Common Issues with Fire and Smoke Damage

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a home that’s still standing after a blaze breaks out. Even if you are, fire and smoke can seriously impact your structure and belongings, and the effects aren’t always immediately obvious.

• Weakened building structure—obviously, a home primarily built from wood is at serious risk in the event of a fire. But even other materials can suffer severe structural damage, as blazing heat warps metal and causes concrete to expand and crack. Living in a home with structural damage can easily be life-threatening, with the risk of ceilings collapsing and walls caving in without notice. You’ll absolutely need to get proper clearance from an authorized professional—and to make repairs if necessary.
  
• Discolored walls and ceilings—smoke, soot, and ash will readily stain any surface they come into contact with. Cleaning up these messes isn’t quite as straightforward as it sounds. We scrub these surfaces carefully, making sure to avoid oversaturation (which can disintegrate weakened materials, or lead to mold growth). Common household cleaners, like bleach and ammonia, are not ideal in certain situations, as they can stain or destroy wallpaper.
  
• Damaged furniture—even furniture that has escaped the direct touch of flames may carry “scars” from the fire, especially a lingering smoky smell. Our technicians are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors across a variety of material types—like wood, fabric, and leather.

If you’ve recently experienced a fire, turn to SERVPRO of Spring Valley / Jamul for fire and smoke damage restoration services. Our trained professionals will assess the situation, create a plan of action, repair, and clean—restoring your home (or business) to its original condition. For more information, call (619) 600-5305 or contact us online.