Post-Fire Water Damage: Addressing Secondary Effects

Following the devastating destruction of a fire, the first instinct most people have is to only address the damage from the fire itself. However, it’s important to realize there are often underlying issues that are secondary effects of fire damage. 

One of the biggest secondary effects of a fire is water damage due to the vast amount of water used to extinguish the flames. Let’s look at some common issues with this type of water damage after a fire and how to deal with them.

Issues With Post-Fire Water Damage

Water damage from a fire can cause serious issues within a home or business if left untreated. Be wary of mold growth, mildew, and even structural damage that’s often a result of water damage following a fire. Each of these issues can be avoided if addressed in a timely manner.

If your home or business has been damaged by fire and water, you can depend on Lake City Restoration to help. Our team of trained professionals knows how to extract water and deal with post-fire damage to your home. Call us anytime 24/7 to get help right away.

How To Address Water Damage

When outside water is introduced to your home or business, it’s important to act fast. Follow these steps to make sure your home is free of mold and mildew and remains structurally intact.

Extract Water

The first step in addressing water damage is to remove as much water as possible from the premises. The best way to do this is to use powerful pumps and vacuum units that are made to extract large amounts of water.

Don’t have the equipment to remove water? We can help! Our team is trained to assess the situation and quickly remove the water from your home or business.

Clean Out Soot And Debris

Once the water has been removed and the area is dry, it’s time to clear out any smoke, soot, and other debris that resulted from the fire. This can prevent further damage to the interior of your home. To do this, increase ventilation in the space by running fans and opening windows. 

Next, remove any debris using a vacuum. Avoid touching debris with your hands as it could still hold residual heat from the fire or be damaged and sharp to the touch. 

The safest option for this step is to hire professionals. Restoration companies like ours have all the supplies and expertise needed to rid your home or business of all smoke, soot, and debris.

Dehumidify

Once the space is cleared, use specialized equipment to dehumidify the space and remove moisture from the air. This is an important step when it comes to preventing mold and mildew growth. A good humidity level to aim for is between 30 – 50%.

Assess The Structure

To ensure your safety, be sure to have a licensed contractor or structural engineer assess the building’s structural integrity. Water and fire damage can create underlying issues that could be invisible to the naked eye. Be sure to repair or replace any compromised components following the assessment.

Contact Lake City Restoration

At Lake City Restoration, our team is trained to efficiently and effectively address fire and post-fire water damage. We regularly handle such damage and understand the steps to take when restoring your home or business to its former glory.

Our expert technicians are available 24/7 to help take the stress out of managing post-fire water damage. We’ll walk you through the process step-by-step so you can relax knowing your home is in the hands of professionals.