What Risks do Homeowners Incur When Performing DIY Fire Damage Cleaning in Dallas?

4/19/2020 (Permalink)

Dallas House Fire Damage? Don't DIY--Call SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration

Professional Restoration Services Reduce the Dangers Homewoners Face After Fire Damage in Dallas

One of the most troubling things about a disaster in your Dallas home is the uncertainty of when your home can ever look or feel the same again. With a situation like a fire in your residence, you want to correct the effects of this incident as quickly as possible to ensure that you do not allow for the situation to get worse. The temptation is probably high to immediately start to dry and clean or restore your damaged home on your own; there are many concerns that you should know.

As much as you want to save money and do things yourself, your fire damaged Dallas home often requires professional restoration.  There are too many variables and threats that exist within the house that the average homeowner is ill-prepared to face. Our SERVPRO team of professionals can respond quickly and help to mitigate further damages while we prepare a plan to restore your home.

One of the most significant risks that a homeowner faces, once their home is affected by fire damages, is environmental exposure. With dirt, debris, and smoke circulating throughout the air in the affected areas of your house, these contaminants to the atmosphere can lead to illness or breathing concerns for an individual without the appropriate protective equipment. Our technicians have the safety gear to prevent exposure in hazardous areas such as full-face respirators or even SCBA breathing tanks to get to work on making the environment less hazardous.

Another potential concern for the homeowner after a fire has gotten extinguished is a weakening of structural components and construction materials. It is not at all uncommon for ceilings to collapse, floors to give way, or walls to fall over. This risk is one that our SERVPRO professionals assume as we seek to begin the restoration process, but not one that you should.

SERVPRO Suggest Taking Precautions to Mitigate the Damages of Smoke Inhalation After a Dallas Area Fire Damaging Event

During a fire, smoke inhalation is one of the most dangerous effects that incapacitates people. The materials that our furniture, clothing and other items are made of, can produce dangerous residue. As a fire spreads inside a building, it will produce two life-threatening events - consume most of the breathable oxygen and create toxic gasses.

Not only will fire damage in Dallas affect structures, but it is also quite lethal to people. Smoke contains tiny particles that are harmful in their own way. These include vapors which are inhaled or absorbed through the skin and that act as poison within the body. Minute particles of our burning property are so tiny that they penetrate our respiratory and digestive system. These minute particles are so small, they enter our lungs, as well as cause irritation to our eyes.
 
Toxic gasses are a part of the characteristics of smoke. These gasses are the most deadly substances anywhere, consisting of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, cyanide and phosgene which is formed when products like vinyl are burned. These gasses also absorb the air we are trying to breathe, either by consuming it or by displacing it with other elements.
 
Smoke and soot can contain particles that don't cause direct harm to you, but that take-up air space needed for oxygen. If you have experienced a smoke inhalation event, no matter how small, get a medical check-up so that a doctor can check your A.B.C's – airway, breathing, and circulation. If you are involved in a fire, call a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:

• difficulty breathing and wheezing is present
• hoarse voice
• coughing spells
• mental confusion

Smoke inhalation prevention measures can be taken that includes having smoke detectors in every room of a home or office. Also, invest in carbon monoxide detectors which should be placed in areas that are at risk for carbon monoxide exposure. Fire damage is always a devastating experience for you and the family.

Feelings of confusion and stress are common. This is not the time to work with uncaring professionals. When SERVPRO arrives, we always treat people with great empathy and above all – respect! We will also treat your property and belongings with great care.

SERVPRO of Northwest Dallas are experts in fire, water and mold remediation. We are locally owned and operated, so that when you call us, we arrive very quickly and are ready to work for you. As tempting as it might be to save yourself the cost of restoration, most homeowners would find that to restore their home to their insurance company’s standards adequately, they need professional and experienced specialists. Our SERVPRO of Northwest Dallas team is available 24/7 by calling (214) 361-7887.

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