It is a devastating situation when your home is engulfed in flames. The first thing that most people are concerned about is whether or not their family members and pets are safe from the fire. Once everyone has been accounted for, the next thing that becomes a concern is the damage done by the flames and heat. From precious family heirlooms to clothing, furniture to photo albums, and everything in between, a fire does not discriminate when it chooses to burn something.
One aspect of a fire in multi-family homes that many do not think to consider is the damage done by smoke and soot. Although the flames and heat will be very destructive, smoke damage can be equally as catastrophic because it is not always as obvious as the burned items.
At Reliable Restorations® in Charlotte, North Carolina, our fire damage restoration professionals are well-versed in all aspects of the fire, soot, and smoke damage restoration process. We know the challenges and stresses associated with fire, including smoke and soot, and our team will work diligently to restore your multi-family home to its pre-loss condition.
Smoke Damage Can Be Just as Bad as Fire Damage
There’s a saying that “where there is smoke, there is fire.” This is true, but few people consider the potential damage that smoke can do, even when the fire has been extinguished. Smoke is a byproduct created by incomplete combustion, and a wide variety of substances actually make up what we know as smoke. Gases including carbon dioxide, aldehydes, benzene, carbon monoxide, toluene, sulfur dioxide, acid gases, nitrogen oxides, styrene, and others are contained in the smoke which results from a fire.
Smoke can rise up and spread widely throughout a multi-family home complex, which means it can also deposit soot (which contains fine particles mixed in with the vapors) all over a particular area. Because smoke contains all of these harmful products, it can be very toxin when inhaled. When you have a fire, smoke damage is going to be part of the cleanup and structural repairs. That is why it is important to ensure that smoke damage restoration is completed by a professional in the restoration industry.
How Does Smoke Cause Serious Damage to Multi-Family Homes?
Most homeowners will know the pungent smoke odor that is left behind when a fire is put out, but that odor is not all that remains. The damage that smoke causes will depend on the type of material affected by the smoke itself. One of the primary concerns is that smoke and soot are both acidic, which makes them dangerous for a variety of different materials. Smoke and soot can both cause serious damage to your belongings in the forms of oxidation, discoloration, pitting, etching, and corrosion.
Certain types of materials which are extremely porous in nature need to be addressed immediately if they are to be salvaged from fire and smoke damage. You will need to use a professional-grade vacuum with special attachments and filters on the items in order to remove the smoke odors and prevent further damage to the items. Things like clothing and bedding must be treated with special chemicals, but they are often irreparable once the smoke has affected them.
Some materials such as those that makeup walls, wooden floors, drywall, and metal will require intensive cleaning to prevent permanent damage or corrosion. If soot removal is not completed quickly, it can be nearly impossible to remove from hard porous surfaces.
Soot removal will be impossible after a certain time, and the odors may never be completely eliminated. Still, other materials may never be salvageable, no matter how quickly you get to them. Property damage to commercial properties can be quite extensive when it comes to fire and smoke damage, so it is integral that you contact a company specializing in restoration services for properties when disaster strikes.
How an Experienced Fire Damage Restoration Company Can Help With Smoke Damage
When you hire a fire damage restoration company such as ours at Reliable Restorations® in Charlotte, North Carolina, you will be able to rest more easily, knowing that your multi-family home is in the best possible hands. We offer emergency services that are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, because we know that fires do not always happen during business hours.
Our skilled IICRC-certified technicians have the experience, equipment, and training to restore the home to its pre-loss condition and prevent further damage from occurring. We know that a fire and the smoke and soot particles can truly wreak havoc on a property, and we work diligently to get residents back in the building as quickly as possible.
Our team also has vast experience dealing with claims with the insurance company, and we are more than happy to provide you assistance with your claims as well. From replacing personal items to the reconstruction process, our technicians are here to offer all of the necessary services you require following a fire disaster.
We also know that fire damage is often accompanied by water damage from the actions of the firefighters. That can also contribute to the overall property issues you are dealing with. Excess water and moisture can also lead to mold growth. At Reliable Restorations®, our team can handle any and all damage that your property has sustained because of a fire.
Contact Reliable Restorations® for Smoke Damage Restoration Business
If you are a resident or owner of a multi-family complex that has been affected by fire damage, contact the experts at Reliable Restorations® in Charlotte, North Carolina, to discuss your restoration and cleanup options. We have ample experience in the restoration industry, and we are happy to help you rebuild and restore your structure to its former glory (or better!) Call now to learn more!