The Types of Damage a Fire Can Cause | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

If you have any smoke/fire damage as a result of a house fire, SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg is here to help.

When you think about a fire occurring in the home, you probably think about damage caused by the actual flames. That’s totally logical—those bright red/orange flames are a visible indicator of fire and quite scary to see.

But in many cases, the damage incurred by houses due to a fire is multifaceted. What do we mean by that? Read on as our team at SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews offers an explainer.

Not All Fire Damage Is Directly Flame-Related

When a fire occurs, the flames can quickly eat up surrounding materials. After all, nearly everything in the home is flammable. When a fire sparks due to a combustion of high temperature, oxygen and a fuel source (like plastic or wood), it keeps burning until one of those factors is missing.

That means it can use many of the materials in your house, including things like curtains, wallpaper, clothing, blankets and even the structure of your walls, as fuel. That fire damage to a home is quite obvious.

But there are other types of fire-related damage, too. They can be equally destructive and require prompt restoration.

If a fire occurs in your home, your home may also be damaged by:

- Smoke. Anytime a fire occurs, smoke is a byproduct. When fire sparks inside your home, smoke can pervade all areas of the house, leaving behind a strong and persistent odor. It can also stick to surfaces in the home, causing certain materials to discolor.

- Soot. When a fire is extinguished, soot is a natural byproduct. If you’ve ever built a campfire or used your fireplace, you’re familiar with this substance. It’s a fine black powder that seemingly sticks to everything. After a fire, soot can bind to your walls and other structures in your home, as well as your possessions.

- Water. Why on earth would there be water damage after a fire? Well, just think about it! When a fire is extinguished, large amounts of water are usually involved. After a fire, especially a major fire, standing water may be left all around your home. Water has to be cleaned up quickly, because standing water can cultivate mold within 48 hours.

- Chemicals. Extinguishing a fire may also involve some type of chemical, especially if a fire extinguisher is used. These chemicals can cling to the surfaces in your home and cause resulting damage.

When fire strikes, the SERVPRO team has all the bases covered. Get in touch today to get help from a team of experts for all types of fire-related damage.