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Understanding Fire Damage

There is almost nothing more damaging to a property than a fire. The fire damage goes way beyond the actual burning. From the stress of being able to live or occupy the burnt space to odors and items that have smoke damage. It can be overwhelming. That's why we call in the experts.



The stress of having a fire continues long past the actual burning of your property. Whether it's your home or your business, it doesn't stop when the fire department leaves. The ash, smoke and water damage from the fire hoses can leave behind a mess you will have to deal with for days, sometimes even weeks after the actual fire.


Ash and smoke can continue to cause damage and corrosion to materials if they are left behind. Odors from smoke can linger in a room, office space or home long after the fire and can continue to cause problems if they are not removed. In just a few moments, walls and other surfaces can become discolored. Finishes on appliances may turn yellow or show signs of etching. Smoke can cause etching in glass after just a short time and will tarnish metal quickly.


What do you do? Who do you call? How long will it take my property to dry out from the fire hoses? Can I clean items myself? These are just a few of the questions we receive when there has been a fire. Let's take a few and answer them.


  • How long will it take my property to dry out? There are so many variables that can affect how long it will take to dry things out. Is it just personal property that is wet such as paperwork or stored items? Did they have to rip into walls and soak the insulation? Your removable personal items might only take a few hours to dry while you might end up having to rip out insulation or replace portions of your walls.

  • Can I clean things myself? You can clean items yourself. We would highly recommend a restoration service to you, however. People who are trained to clean surfaces and items from smoke or soot damage. They do things such as test a cleaner prior to use to make sure it isn't going to cause more damage. They uses mixtures that not only clean the item but also help deodorize the smell of smoke.

  • Are they safety concerns you should continue to watch for after the fire is out? Your safety is our first priority. Your safety will be the fire departments first priority. It will be the adjusters first priority. Professionals will do inspections on things such as wiring, air quality, electrical hazards on appliances, trip and fall hazards, etc. We would again recommend you bring in a restoration company to do these type of things for you.

  • Do you need to remove your belongings from the premises? This really depends on the source, nature and extent of the fire. If it was contained say to just your garage, the rest of your house might not see any soot or smoke damage. However, if the fire was in a main shared space, it is highly likely you will want to remove items from the space. You might have to discard items while there are some that might be able to be cleaned and saved.

A fire is a devastating loss. In the event you have a fire, call your agent immediately. We can start the process of restoration right away. The quicker things are in motion, the more personal items you might be able to save from damage due to smoke and soot.

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