Repairing Fire Damage

Every fire restoration expert might tell you that smoke does more damage to your property than the fire itself. What makes smoke cleaning a challenging task is that smoke penetrates every nook and cranny leaving behind nasty soot and a nuisance smoke odor. Moreover, restoration may expose technicians to serious health risks. Namely, smoke irritates skin and eyes, and when smoke particles are inhaled, they can cause serious complications for lungs and airways.

Since modern homes are packed with plastics and synthetic fabrics, burning causes oily soot that cannot be simply wiped to form. At the same time, soot that remains on the surfaces of materials and personal items gradually damages them beyond repair. For example, soot residues need just a few hours to discolor and stain fiberglass and furniture finishes. In a few days, stains become permanent, metals corrode, and wood items require refinishing or replacement.

Smoke odor may be present in a fire damaged house for years. This often happens when the smoke has settled behind the walls or insulation or continues to circulate a HVAC system. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to replace everything than clean and deodorize all potentially affected areas.