What Happens During and After A Fire in Your Home?

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Upper Darby is here to minimize the effects of a fire on both your home and your life.

Fire damage can be a devastating experience for any property owner. A fire can destroy your property and its contents. Understanding the theory of fire can help you work through this unfortunate event.

Three components can wreak havoc on your property during and after a fire incident—fire, smoke and heat. All these components can cause a different type of damage, and the restorability depends on which component has caused the most damage.

Fire and Heat

Fire and heat are the most devastating component of a house fire. The heat generated during the fire can cause extensive damage to the non-combustible material in your home as well. In many cases, the material that is entirely or partially damaged in a fire needs to be replaced during the restoration process.

Smoke and Soot Residues 

Smoke and soot arise if there is an imbalance in the three ingredients (fuel, oxygen, and heat) required for burning. In an ideal situation, the burning material combines with the oxygen to generate heat and carbon dioxide, and there is no smoke or soot residue. However, during a house fire, the conditions are far from ideal. As the oxygen supply is not optimal during a house fire—and as the types of fuel available vary greatly—the material burns incompletely and generates smoke.

Smoke contains a variety of components, including suspended particles, gasses, and aerosols. As the smoke particles are microscopic (about 0.1 to 4 microns in size), they can penetrate porous surfaces such as drywall and fabric and cause discoloration and odors. Once these particles settle on surfaces, it is called soot, which can be challenging to clean and can cause extensive damage to your house and belongings. SERVPRO of Upper Darby technicians are IICRC certified and have years of experience in handling almost any type of smoke and soot residue. Hydroxyl generators, ozone machines, thermal foggers, and HEPA and carbon-filter air scrubbers are key weapons in our arsenal to combat odors and floating particulates.

Fire Damage Restoration Process

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Upper Darby has the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Call SERVPRO of Upper Darby today at (610) 352-0700 for your fire and smoke damage cleanup and restoration services.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Upper Darby?

SERVPRO of Upper Darby’s  certified cleaning and restoration specialist are faster to any size disaster. Providing emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.