Fire Is a Triple Threat for Property Owners

Fire Is a Triple Threat for Property Owners
 
Fire is a triple threat for property owners because it results in (1) fire damage, (2) water damage and (3) the risk of mold due to flooding. Fire damage includes damage to the property and contents, soot, smoke damage and poor air quality. Flooding from firefighting efforts causes the water damage. And with water damage, there is a very real risk of mold growth within 12-48 hours.
 
Recovering from a fire in your home or business is a process, so be sure to take the right steps forward. Here are the 3 key steps to get you started:
 
Step 1: Decontaminate
 
Fire damage poses the risk of health hazards including serious respiratory issues, so it is absolutely necessary to decontaminate and deodorize your property first to restore your air quality. Attempting to decorate over the soot, smoke and fire damage without first decontaminating and deodorising the property, traps harmful air pollutants and odours and also causes staining to work its way back through any paint application.
 
In every case of fire damage, be sure to call a professional fire restoration team who will take all the necessary steps to decontaminate the areas and contents to ensure all the harmful pollutants are sanitized and thoroughly removed. Also, depending on the severity of the contamination, some items will need to be transported to a specialized decontamination unit.
 
Step 2: Address Water Damage to Avoid Mold Growth
 
Water damage from fire fighting efforts is devastating especially when it extends to soaked furniture and flooring, electric appliances and other irreplaceable household items. Furthermore, any kind of water damage should always be addressed immediately as harmful mold growth can begin within 12-48 hours.
 
Other complications from water damage include steel and iron corrosion as well as wood rot in walls and furniture.
 
Immediate water damage remediation includes removing the water, as well as drying and sanitizing both your property and all your contents. Initially, vacuums and pumps are used to remove any standing water; after removing the water, the drying process is initiated with fans and dehumidifiers.
 
It is very important for property owners to note that drying is not enough. All damaged items and personal belongings must be sanitized and cleaned to prevent mold growth including carpets, clothing, and rugs, which require thorough antimicrobial treatments.
 
Step 3: Restoration


Once your property is decontaminated, you need a professional team of restoration experts to address your water damage, assess the full extent of the damage to your property and supply you with a fair and detailed estimate of the cost to restore your home or business to its original state or better.
 
Always engage a professional restoration surveyor to assess the damage and provide you with an itemized estimate for the work. Recommended restoration work ranges from:
 

• Cleaning and decontamination of carpets, rugs, fine fabrics and soft furnishings
• Odor removal
• Restoration of documents
• Restoration of fine arts
• Floor and wall repair and replacement

 

In the event of a fire, be sure to take the right steps forward. Together with your professional emergency restoration team, you will get through this and start again