Categories
Fire Damage

How to Minimize Fire Damage Before Restoration Professionals Arrive

When a fire ravages your home or business, it’s important to take quick action to minimize the damage. Not only will this make the restoration process easier and quicker, but it can also help prevent further damage from smoke and water. Here are some tips on how to quickly reduce fire damage before professional fire restoration experts arrive.

Immediately after the fire is extinguished, open all the doors and windows to air out the house

After a house fire has been extinguished and the area is deemed safe, it is important to open all of the doors and windows throughout the entire house. Doing so will not only provide an adequate amount of fresh air for any affected persons, but also allow air to flow freely within the structure, clearing out some remaining smoke or other hazardous particles that may have been released from burning items. Moreover, this will help dissipate water vapor created either from natural humidity in the room or from extinguishing efforts by firefighters. Taking these measures immediately after a fire can help significantly limit further damage to one’s property and improve overall safety for all involved.

If any walls or ceilings are damaged, cover them with plastic sheeting to prevent further damage

If you notice any damaged walls or ceilings in your home, it’s important to take action quickly. Covering them with plastic sheeting is an easy and cost-effective way to help prevent further damage. Aside from protecting the affected area from rain and wind, plastic sheeting also prevents dust, debris and pests from entering the space. Additionally, this covering will keep paint droplets from spreading during repairs and help ensure that furniture and belongings don’t get damaged in the process. Investing a bit of time and effort upfront can save you a lot of headaches (and money) down the road.

Throw away any food that may have been exposed to smoke or heat from the fire

During a house fire, some of the food stored in our home may have been exposed to smoke or heat which can cause food to become hazardous. It’s important to be vigilant and remain aware of the food stored in our home and throw away any that may have been exposed to smoke or high temperatures. This will help ensure that the food we serve is safe for our family and friends and that no one becomes sick. Taking precautions like this not only helps us stay safe, but it’s also an important step in helping us stay mindful and take care of ourselves after a fire has occurred.

Take pictures of the damage for your insurance claim before you start cleaning up

When filing an insurance claim for property damage, it’s important to document the condition of your property prior to cleaning. Taking pictures to provide evidence is a key step in that process. Even if you don’t think your claim will be contested, taking pictures of any damaged items or areas insured by your policy can help support your case in obtaining full compensation from the insurer. As soon as it’s safe to do so, make sure to take time stamped digital images or video clips of the damages and keep copies on file. In addition to providing proof of damage, early documentation may also be useful in helping you reflect upon the state of things before repairs begin.

Fires can be exceptionally tricky and expensive events to go through but being prepared and taking proactive safety measures will help you sail through this trying situation as smoothly as possible.

 

Categories
Fire Damage

Signs You Need Fire Restoration Services

Dealing with a building that has been affected by a fire can be quite stressful. According to the
National Fire Protection Association, no fewer than 100,000 fires occur in non-residential properties
yearly. If the fire is small enough, you may be able to clean things up and restore the building.
That said, some fires may require that you hire a fire restoration service. Did you know that soot is acidic and will continue to damage well after the fire is out? Here are some signs that
you need to work with a professional.

Stained Walls
One of the things that may happen during a fire is staining your walls. If you notice black and gray
stains on your walls after a fire, it might be a sign that you need to find a fire restoration service
because the stains should be addressed as soon as possible. A fire restoration service will be able
to properly clean the walls to remove any smoke particles. In some instances, they may even
recommend that you replace the material. Attempting to do this on your own can end up costing
you more, and it’s time-consuming, too.

Rust
Rust is a sign that the acidity of the soot is damaging fixtures, hardware and electronic components. If you notice rust after putting out a fire, chances are your hardware was exposed to acidic soot particles.
If this is happening on hardware that you rely on, it can cause problems when you go to use them
again. To avoid this situation, you should hire a professional to sort things out. That way, you can
maintain a functional home that is also safe to live in. The damaged materials should be replaced
and the area should be cleaned properly to minimize the secondary damage.

Lingering Smell
Sometimes the smell of smoke can be difficult to do away with, even if you clean up your home
after a fire. What most people may not understand is that smoke is easily absorbed into many
materials throughout the home. To ensure that the smoke is properly eliminated, you may need to
find a fire restoration service to help you out. A professional fire restoration service will inspect
your home and determine all of the areas that have been damaged by the smoke. Once this
service is completed, the smell of smoke will be gone and you can breathe fresh air again.

These are some of the signs that you need to hire a fire restoration service as soon as possible.
Are you having trouble getting your home back to its pre-fire condition? Get in touch with the fire
restoration service at Lightning Restoration today and we can help you out.

Categories
Fire Damage

How We Restore Your Home After a Fire Damage Emergency

Parking in the garage is a convenient luxury that we all love. However, when that vehicle catches fire and affects the entire home, it can be a traumatic experience that causes a fire damage emergency. Last month, a homeowner contacted us about a car fire in the garage. They had just returned home from work, relaxing on the couch when the neighbor came over letting them know about the smoke bellowing out from the garage. They had already called the fire department, who was en route.

This property owner ran outside and tried to open the garage door, but it would not budge. As the fire got hotter, it began to melt the paint on the garage door and burst the side window. Luckily, the fire department arrived moments later and put the fire out. Luckily for the homeowner, the fire never expanded out of the garage. Not so luckily, smoke and soot filled the house and attic space.

Fire Damage Emergencies Require Immediate Attention

Upon getting the call, the Lightning Restoration EMS crew went to work right away. Our top concerns were answering the property owners’ questions and beginning mitigation services to save the content in the home. What most people don’t realize is that the soot can do more damage than the fire itself. Soot can and will go anywhere that air goes.

When a by-product of a burning synthetic material, soot contains acidic properties from hydrofluoric, hydro sulfuric & hydrochloric acids. Mix that with the moisture in the air from Florida’s humidity or the water from the fire hoses, and we have an acidic reaction. EMS services include the extraction of the water from the fire department, cleaning and protecting all of the fixtures in the home and protection of the content items. We also boarded the home up, to protect it from looters who understand that the home has no security system to protect it from invaders.

What About Items Damaged During the Fire Emergency?

Upon release from the fire inspector, Lightning Restoration experts began the full remediation needed in the home. Our remediation experts packed out, cleaned, and deodorized each content item in the home. We process these items through our content’s division in our facility, utilizing the latest technology like ultrasonics bathing and hydroxyl deodorization. Finally, we store those items in our climate-controlled facility.

Back at the house, our fire remediation specialists worked to clean and restore the home, removing all traces of the soot and deodorizing the home. This is done by knowing how different structural materials react during different contamination scenarios. Various deodorization techniques are needed to achieve a healthy smelling home after a fire, which can include thermal fogging, air filtration and ozone/hydroxyl treatments.

Act Quickly After a Fire Damage Emergency

If you find yourself in a fire damage emergency, please do not hesitate to call Lightning Restoration. Our industry experts are prepared and trained to take care of your home and restore it back to its pre-loss condition. Be sure to Demand the Lightning Van!