What To Do If You Face Coinciding Water and Fire Damage

6/15/2022 (Permalink)

Residential Fire and Water Damage

A home fire can be devastating with a lengthy restoration process to follow. However, it's often overlooked how homes that endure fire damage typically incur water-related damages as well. Here is what to do if this situation impacts your Bella Villa, MO, home. 

1. Call Home Restoration Professionals
After a fire, an emergency cleanup and restoration company can fully evaluate the property and take the necessary steps to repair any damages. These professionals have the proper equipment to safely restore your home from fire and smoke damage and are trained to clean up water issues if they are present. 

2. Address Water Damage
A fire has to be put out one way or another, so homes often end up being water-logged after the flames are put out. A fire hose can expel about six gallons of water per minute, therefore your home can suffer damage from excess water by the time the fire is extinguished. It is paramount to remove standing water and dry out the space as quickly as possible to prevent mold growth or other harmful effects. This can compromise the building structure and should be taken care of immediately before moving on to other repair efforts. 

3. Address Fire Damage
Once any water in the home has been taken care of, restoration experts can then move on to address smoke and fire-related damage. This typically consists of smoke and soot removal, sanitizing surfaces and removing smoke odors, as well as necessary home repairs. Depending on the extent of damage, minor repairs like painting or recarpeting could cap the process or major home construction could be possible.  
Given the massive amounts of water used to put out a fire, homes can simultaneously face damage from both elements. If this happens, bring in restoration professionals who will work to address the water issues first before moving on to repair fire damage.