Understanding how fire damage can affect structural integrity is an important part of the recovery process. While a fire can cause a lot of visible destruction, there are also hidden threats to be concerned about. Professional help is essential to ensure that you receive the care required to get your home back in good shape.
Damage Might Not Be Visible
Structural damage might not always be easy to see. Beams and support columns may have damage in areas where it isn’t obvious to the observer. These areas may have serious weaknesses that could result in a collapse without prompt attention.
Attic and basement areas often become damaged from fires that started elsewhere. Basements might have spaces behind larger appliances that conceal damage more easily. Floor damage is a distinct possibility when an attic has been affected, possibly threatening the safety of the rooms below.
Water Can Cause Further Damage
Damage from water used to extinguish the fire isn’t always visible. Some of the places where water can enter and cause damage are behind walls and under floors. When water gets into these areas, special equipment might be necessary for detection and cleanup.
When water damage is present, some signs are difficult for property owners to overlook. Floors might seem soft underfoot, and parts of them may break up. Walls are sometimes soft to the touch and show visible bowing or similar damage. Water extraction might make up a major part of the repair effort when any effects from water damage are harder to spot.
Required Repairs Might Be Extensive
The severity of the fire and the affected areas will determine how extensive the repair effort will be. Structural repairs to the walls and ceiling, as well as deep cleaning to remove smoke damage, are often part of this effort.
Older buildings often need more extensive care because they were constructed from more vulnerable materials. Some of these older building materials might be difficult or impossible to fully replace. A restoration job in these circumstances will require extra effort to reestablish the right look for the structure.
When smoke damage is more extensive, restoration professionals need to use specialized cleaning agents. Drywall and framing may have to be replaced because of the fire itself or water damage from the firefighting efforts. The electrical system may require repair or replacement to ensure that the building gets its previous functionality back. More extensive repairs may take several months to complete.
Home restoration following a fire requires a lot of careful planning to ensure that everything goes well. When you need fire restoration services, contact our team at H & L Remediation in San Jose, CA.
