Any family can have their lives turned upside down by a house fire. Homes are destroyed, valuables are lost, and lives are lost in the most terrible cases. A house fire can wipe out more than just material possessions; it can also damage precious memories and force you to fight with insurance companies for a long time.
The fire itself, the smoke, and the water utilized to put out the fire are the three factors that have caused the most evident damage. Everything susceptible to absorbing odors or moisture, including but not limited to furniture, carpeting, and clothing, will be damaged.
Hidden Damages of Fire
The effects of a fire are more extensive than they initially appear. Damages caused by fire might be subtle and difficult to spot. After a fire, there are additional, less evident damages that can be costly and even dangerous to your family’s safety, and these are the ones we’ll be covering in this post.
1. Mold
The likelihood of mold growth increases when the water has penetrated your carpets, rugs, floors, ceilings, and walls. It is not sufficient to install new flooring, drywall, joists, or walls. The areas exposed to water must be dried off entirely or rebuilt.
Mold can cause serious health problems and can also damage your home. Mold spores are tiny, microscopic organisms that can be inhaled because they float through the air. Mold spores can trigger asthma attacks, allergic reactions, and other respiratory disorders.
For property restoration services, you can avail of the Puroclean damage repairment process. It is always preferable to hire professionals to avoid recurring problems.
2. Gas Leaks
Firefighters have various tools to break down walls, cabinets, and glass during an emergency. Accidental nicks or hits to gas lines often develop into full-blown leaks when devices are used. If you go back inside your home after a fire and detect the odor of gas, leave immediately and dial 911.
A gas leak can fuel an existing fire and cause a secondary explosion that might cause severe injury or death to bystanders. If there is a gas leak, switch off the valves immediately and call for help.
3. Electrical Damage
Fires also cause electrical damage. Fire can melt wires, short out junction boxes, and create live dangling wires as it spreads through walls. Call your power supplier to turn off the energy when the fire is out.
However, while falling power lines pose an immediate threat, a second fire may be started if a damaged wire sparks inside the walls. After the fire, firefighters will investigate the structure; however, a wire may be hidden under damaged house components.
4. Soot
The particles that makeup soot come from burning fuels like coal or wood. As a natural consequence of living in an industrialized culture, we are constantly exposed to the harmful effects of breathing in soot. However, soot damage from a fire may go unnoticed during the post-fire evaluation and inspection of your home.
Always wear protective gear when working with soot, including covering your eyes, nose, mouth, and hands. It may be wiser to hire professionals.
5. Sewage and Water Pipes
It’s a common misconception that water and sewage pipes are fireproof. The vast majority of today’s plumbing systems do not use iron pipes. It is constructed from PVC or another durable, flexible material to avoid the risk of cracks and leaks. These materials, however, tend to melt under high temperatures.
Toxic and unpleasant gasses can leak into your home from broken sewage pipes, giving you headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Damaged sewage pipes may also be releasing potentially harmful carbon monoxide.
In case of damaged pipes and sewage, you need to contact a water remediation firm to address the problem. Their expert and experienced team can remediate and alleviate the water damage and return your property to its original condition.
