House Fires Cause More Than Just Flame Damage

6/14/2021 (Permalink)

3 Types of Damage Caused by House Fires

When you think about fire damage, you probably picture damage caused directly by flames; however, not only are flames not the only source of damage, the flames may not even cause the most damage. Smoke from the fire and water from the firefighting effort may cause as much or more damage than the fire itself.

1. Heat and Flames

The intense heat from a fire can melt plastics, wiring, electronics, and other items. The flames can destroy property made from combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, or foam. Additionally, fires may cause chemical reactions that may create caustic substances that can damage property.

2. Smoke

Smoke can penetrate surfaces causing fire damage from stains and smells that may be difficult to remove. Professional fire restoration services in Clovis, CA may be able to assist in removing smoke stains and smells from furniture, walls, carpets, and other items. Smoke can also contaminate items such as food and medications. These items may need to be thrown away due to safety concerns.

3. Water

Unfortunately, the water used to extinguish fires can often cause substantial damage to property. A fire hose sprays water at rates of up to 125 gallons per minute. If you have ever accidentally flooded your bathroom, you probably know that substantial damage can be caused to your property by even relatively small amounts of water. The enormous amount of water sprayed on your property to put out a fire can cause severe property damage.

In addition to soaking into furniture, warping wood, and destroying drywall, water can damage electronics, clothing, flooring, and potentially lead to mold growth. It is important to promptly clean up water damage to avoid unnecessary additional damage.

Fire damage, water, and smoke can combine to severely damage a home during a house fire. Prompt fire restoration services can help mitigate damages and restore your property to preloss condition.