Water Damage Is a Result Of Fire Damage

10/13/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a home

A Lot Goes Into Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration

The fire damage cleanup process can be overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the steps involved. Here are some helpful things to know when your Stillwater home or business catches on fire.

Water Damage Accompanies Fire Damage

The sprinklers go off and the water you see in your home is actually water that was used to put out the fire, but it’s still wet. This is why you need to have water restoration services come out to help with getting rid of the excess moisture in your home.

The main thing you need to understand about this is that it can happen anywhere: at any time, even though there may be no visible signs — like smoke or fire — present in your home or building beforehand. So don’t wait around for something bad to happen—knowing how much damage can occur if an unexpected event does occur will give you peace knowing that everything will be taken care of from start (getting rid) until the finish (getting back into shape)

Smoke Damage

Smoke damage is a result of fire damage. Smoke and soot residue can be very difficult to remove, especially if you do not catch it early enough. The longer that smoke remains on your property, the more permanent staining and damage will occur. If you want to avoid these types of issues in the future, make sure that you call us right away after any fire emergency so that we can help you clean up quickly before the problem gets worse.

Cleaning up the ash and smoke residue requires more than a mop and bucket (and a few rags). To remove ash and smoke residue, you need professional cleaning equipment. Do not use a mop and bucket. Do not use rags or bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or baking soda.

Protect Your Furniture and Linens

If your home has been damaged by fire, you will likely experience a lot of smoke and soot. This can cause permanent staining to furniture if not properly protected.

As soon as possible, cover all of your furniture with plastic wrap or tarps to prevent the soot from getting on them, then move them to a safe location where they won't be in the way. Remove any drawers or doors from your furniture before covering it as well!

If you have clothing or linens that have been damaged by water or smoke, wash them immediately in cold water on the gentle cycle. If there are stains, use a commercial stain remover before washing. Do not use bleach to clean the items; bleach can cause the colors to run and may make the odor worse over time. Once you are able to wash your items, place them in plastic bags and keep them away from heat sources like radiators or dryers until they are completely dry (this could take several days).

Turn Off the Electricity

Do not use electrical appliances until they have been professionally cleaned and inspected. Turn off the power supply at the main circuit or fuse box. Do not use electrical appliances until they have been professionally cleaned and inspected

Leave it to the Professionals

If you are unfortunate enough to experience a fire in your home, do not attempt to clean up the mess yourself. Professional fire cleanup is a specialized field that requires highly trained professionals and expensive equipment. It is also extremely dangerous for untrained individuals

If you have experienced a fire in your home, it’s best to contact an insurance company as soon as possible so they can begin the damage assessment process and send out an adjuster who will assess how much your damages were worth before cleaning begins 

They will also help provide guidance on whether or not you need to file an insurance claim against another party (such as another tenant) or submit additional documentation to your insurance or the police

If your home or business has caught on fire, give us a call. SERVPRO of Stillwater & Guthrie is here to help. We’ll do everything we can to help you get things back to normal as soon as possible