The Challenges Of Restoring Severe Fire Damage In Dallas

3/3/2017 (Permalink)

Whether it is unattended candles, malfunctioning electronics, or cooking mishaps; the damage is always serious.

Restoring Fire Damage

There are more ways than you might think to start a residential fire. Whether it is unattended candles, malfunctioning electronics, or cooking mishaps; the damage is always serious. Even if the amount of physical destruction is moderate, the stress involved with the cleanup and insurance tasks can be substantial.

The good news is that all cases of fire damage in Dallas homes (even the severe ones) can benefit from professional restoration. The extent of restoration depends on how much of the property is beyond repair on arrival. Nevertheless, our technicians do everything that they can to rescue possessions, furniture, valuables, and more. In some cases, the conditions of the fire make repairs harder. Continue reading to find out what these are and how we solve them.

Fragile Materials
Most items, even fabrics, don’t respond immediately to smoke damage. So, if they do not burn, a fast clean up can save them. On the other hand, oil paintings and other delicate valuables can get damaged by even the slightest contact with soot. To minimize damage, do not touch or move the items. We can send your artwork (particularly valuable oil paintings) to an expert restorer for cleaning. Movement must be limited during the removal because soot is acidic. Too much motion grinds it into the paint.

A Change In Temperature
We often find very oily, stubborn soot after house fires. It clings to walls and ceilings and can be tough to remove. The consistency of soot changes if there is a rapid shift in temperature. So, for example, if a fire crew uses cold water to extinguish flames. The temperature and humidity in the affected space shifts quickly and the consistency of the soot changes. It becomes more oily and adhesive. The SERVPRO technicians use a high alkali detergent to wash it off surfaces without creating smears and new stains.

Damaged HVAC System
If your ventilation system was in use during the fire, this could complicate the clean-up process. It can take a while to completely restore HVAC ducts because they are not easy to access. Plus, the airflow carries smoke, soot, and unpleasant odors around the home. You might end up with lingering smells in areas that weren’t directly affected by the fire. We can deal with this by setting up deodorizers and pulling the odor causing particles out of the air. As for the HVAC ducts, SERVPRO uses a combination of fans, air movers, air scrubbers, and deodorizing chemicals to repair the damage.

SERVPRO of Southeast Dallas County is an experienced, reliable fire damage restorer. You can find us in your local area and contact our technicians for help at any time. Whatever the size or cause of your fire, we can provide a solution. Call us 24/7 at (972) 227-0800.