Fire is one of the most detrimental environmental influences that can be introduced into a home or commercial property. Fire will turn all household items into fuel and either burn them away, or damage them beyond repair. The smoke from the fire contains various chemicals that can cause permanent damage to the contents if not handled properly.
The hazards of fire in a residence or commercial structure are exponential and can range from health issues to environmental issues, contaminations to dangerous off-gases. When a fire starts in a property it begins to turn items in close proximity to fuel to continue it’s burn and increase it’s flame. Household items these days are made of various types of plastics, metals, proteins, and other materials that give off a variety of chemicals when burned. Once these chemicals are turned into smoke and ash, they can contaminate household items and start to cause discoloring, etching into glass, and irreparable damage. The items need to be handled and cleaned by professionals who understand fire and smoke residue and the correct processes to cleaning them. If the items are handled properly, within the correct timeframe, it will minimalize the damages and potentially save a lot of personal belongings.
The homeowner needs to call us immediately if there is smoke and ash residue inside of their property. It is advised that the homeowner does not maintain presence in smoke and ash contaminated areas as it can cause serious health problems. It is also advised that the homeowner does not try to clean the smoke damage themselves as they can cause further damage to the items and cross-contaminate the property when moving to non-contaminated areas. The best step is to call a Specialist who knows the intricacies of fire and smoke damage in order to have the property cleaned and deodorized of any odors/ contaminates.
If the smoke and ash from the fire are not handled properly, in a timely manner, there will be a large amount of progressing damage in the property. Smoke, when left to settle into items, will discolor the items and start to turn them yellow or white. This is due to the various chemicals that are released when items are burning. Some chemicals carried by smoke, due to fire, are: formaldehyde, benzene, acetic acid, formic acid, toluene, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, VOC’s, sulfur dioxide, plastics, and other harmful chemicals. Smoke is corrosive and will easily damage a wide range of collectibles if not handled appropriately and in a timely manner. The longer the ash and soot sits on items, the more likely they will become ruined and need to be disposed of. Don’t wait. Call the Contents Specialists today!