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Although the after-effects of a fire damage are obvious, the effects of smoke lingering around during the fire are something we do not take into consideration. It can be a serious factor that could affect the life and productivity of the machines and appliances in the house. The after effects of smoke can be far more serious and may take weeks to recover.
Here are some of the factors to consider while dealing with smoke damage:
Time
Smoke and other harmful off-gases during a fire can cause secondary damage, and the longer the surface is exposed to smoke, the worse the cleaning or etching process can be. Most electronics can conduct through the smoke. When the smoke sediments after the fire, it can cause short circuits on boards which can cause electronics to lead a pre-mature breakdown.
Humidity
With a high amount of moisture content in the air, there is a great risk of corrosive reactions and more subsequent damage.
Temperature and Pressure
The air volume doubles every 10 degrees. Which means that greater the pressure, the more smoke is driven into the porous surfaces in the house. It should be noted that the curtains and all other fabrics that survived the fire need to be properly cleaned and treated before being used again.
Type of Combustion Materials
House fires are rather complex since they are fuelled by a lot of synthetic materials rather than natural materials. Complex fires cause significant damage.
The first plan of action after a fire damage is to contact your insurance agency and get a professional cleaning job done. As mentioned above, the after-effects of smoke are not visible to the naked eye and need expert cleaning job done. Even though it appears like you can handle the job, its best to hand it over to the professionals.
See Also: 7 ways to fireproof your house
Fighting the Effects of Smoke Damage
- In order to prevent any sort of secondary damage, apply a surfactant agent (e.g. cooking oil) to materials metal, glass, tile/grout and marble.
- Provide proper ventilation by keeping the doors and windows open for as long as possible so that air flows freely and prevents soot from settling in.
- Pre-treat fabrics by soaking them overnight in warm water and one cup of dishwasher detergent.
- Check all the electrical appliances before using them. As mentioned earlier, smoke may have damaged these and a simple spark could give rise to another catastrophe.
Never ignore the after-effects of a fire damage. Lingering smoke can have many health hazards. At Bio Cleanse Services, we deal with all kinds of fire damages, including dealing with smoke removal. We can restore your home to perfection. Call us on 0427 411 789.
