In the event of a fire in a residential or business property, water sprinklers are the first line of defense. For more extensive fires, firefighters utilize high-powered hoses to extinguish the flames. Either way, the fire and water damage simultaneously occurs, making cleanup inevitable.
Smoke, soot, and extensive water damage are the crucial things you need to face after this devastating incident. It is not an option, and the faster you get things done, decreases the possibility of additional deterioration and health hazards.
Why Are There Health Risks?
Smoke and Soot Particles
Not all the things that burn cleanly burn. Chemical compounds from plastics, foams, carpets, artificial fabrics or asbestos turn into smoke and soot. Small fires can send soot particles into the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Microparticles of these chemicals are airborne and can get into the body by inhalation into our lungs and bloodstreams. Even short-term direct exposure can result in long-lasting illness when smoke and soot particles enter the body. This includes respiratory concerns such as asthma, bronchitis, and, more seriously, cancer or heart attacks.
Toxic Mold
Molds will grow anywhere there is moisture and oxygen. Microscopic spores of fungi transported in the air will thrive on organic surfaces. Anything and anywhere left from the fire that has water or is moist is the perfect breeding place for mold. These might include wood, carpets, insulation, and areas such as attics and crawl spaces.
Depending upon the species, molds can bring mild or severe health problems. Mild problems can include asthma and allergies. Long-term exposure can cause sleeping disorders, confusion, and neurological problems.
How to Prevent Health Issues
Get the Professionals
Suppose you think that you can spare a couple of dollars by doing the cleanup yourself. In that case, you might be jeopardizing yourself, your family, or your employees. Let the professionals assess the damage. Fire services could save you from the horrors of extensive labor and unanticipated expenses.
These professionals can offer you a hand starting at assessment, clearing the area, deep cleansing, and thorough drying. The contents of the affected area are also assessed to be deemed restorable or for disposal. Their work guarantees little to no chance of impurities invading your residential or commercial property.
Fire Remediation
After the debris has been cleared out, the stains of smoke and soot are removed. Utilizing chemicals to clean, sanitize, and deodorize, the property damage restoration specialists ensure that all surfaces are clear.
Given that these particles may have permeated permeable surfaces, they also use special devices to clear the air. Air filtering systems may be used to clean up the air and might be used on the HVAC systems. Commercial fans also assist so that particles can move and make filtration more efficient.
Water Mitigation
Aside from getting rid of standing water, property damage restoration includes turning the place inside out to search for sites where water may have seeped through. The drying process will include sealing salvageable spots to prevent more damage and tarping of affected roofings. Commercial fans and blowers speed up drying time also.
Dehumidifiers also enable the remaining moisture to condense and eventually be carried out by the fans. Efficient and extensive work will be done to get rid of any water left so molds won’t thrive.
The Takeaway
Fire and water damage control and restoration must be left to professionals. Spending sensibly on total remediation services is better than spending hard-earned cash on hospital costs. No amount of money is as valuable as our health and the health of individuals that surround us.
