Dealing With Fire Damage In Your Dallas Home

4/12/2017 (Permalink)

Combating the effects of fire damage in Dallas is a task we at SERVPRO take very seriously.

Fire Damage In Your Home

When it comes to fires in Texas, most people think of burning grass and ranch houses in danger. Most fires are urban in location though and affect small towns and large cities alike.

Combating the effects of fire damage in Dallas is a task we at SERVPRO take very seriously. Years in the restoration business and our in-depth, technician training gives our response teams the knowledge to clean just about any property and understand the factors of physical damage and the residues complicating the process.

Type Of Surface
Glossy, enamel paint and vinyl wall coverings (nonporous surfaces) are easier to clean than flat, latex paint and standard wallpaper (porous surfaces) which are penetrated by odors and residue particles more rapidly. Carpets (synthetic fibers) attract more residue than many types of clothing and curtains (natural fibers) but are easier to clean and require less harsh chemicals.

Age Of Surface
As paint deteriorates over time, it becomes more porous. Aging is true also for fabrics and carpets, regardless if they are synthetic or natural.

Amount Of Heat
High temperatures break down paint, melt or ‘bubble’ finishes, and cause surfaces to warp and expand. It causes residue and odor particles to penetrate deeper into the structure and property.

Amount Of Moisture
If sprinklers came on during the fire, residues are harder to remove. High moisture levels cause permanent stains and when combined with high temperatures, cause other surfaces (tile and vinyl countertops) to yellow.

Material Burned
Burnt synthetic materials leave a wet, smeary residue that is tough to remove. Burnt natural materials such as wood, paper, and cotton fabrics leave a dry, powdery residue that is removed more simply and with fewer chemicals.

Air Pressure
Heated air expands. This increased air pressure drives smoke and soot particles deeper into cracks and crevices. The damage is greater the closer an item is to the source of the fire.

Impingement
Heated air is also more turbulent. This air moves rapidly throughout a home, carrying smoke and soot particles, spreading the damage. The faster the air moves, the more damage it causes.

Temperature Change
Hotter residues cause more damage as they cool on the surface of a floor, wall or personal property. They not only form a film which is harder to clean but cause permanent surface damage in some cases.

Cleaning up after a fire is a difficult process. It is time-consuming and can quickly add up to thousand, even tens of thousands of dollars in restoration costs. The goal of SERVPRO of Northwest Dallas is to return your home and property to as close to its original state as possible. If you need us, call today at (214) 361-7887.