The fire is out, yet there is an undercurrent of unease in your home. You may be put off by odours that will not dissipate or marks on the walls you cannot explain. One has to wonder if the flames have left their mark in ways not immediately apparent.
We at United Water Restoration Group of Raleigh are on hand to deal with fire and smoke damage in the Triangle; give us a ring at (984) 367-6988 whenever you like. With our IICRC-certified staff we go about uncovering what is left behind in a home or business once the fire is extinguished. For all the visible evidence, it is seldom the whole story.
The Nature of Concealed Smoke Damage
A fire is hard to miss. There is the char on the wall, the floor that has been scorched, fixtures melted; the damage seems self evident. Smoke, however, has a way of eluding the eye. It will make its way into materials untouched by flame, seeping through vents and behind walls to rest in the insulation.
It is a fact that a minor fire can cause trouble in every part of a house for this reason. The particles are small enough to find their way where you would not think to look. Before long, weeks or months down the line, you will see the telltale signs as the damage has time to put down roots.
Indicators You Should Not Overlook
There are clues to be had from hidden smoke damage, provided one is looking for them. These are some of the warning signs:
- An acrid or smoky smell that makes a comeback after you have cleaned up, particularly when the heat or air conditioning is on
- Stains of a yellow or brown hue about the outlets and vents, or on ceiling and wall surfaces
- Surfaces, furniture and counters with an oily film that is sticky to the touch
- Metal hardware or appliances showing discoloration that appears to be on the increase
- Upholstery and curtains which retain the odor of smoke come what may
- Corrosion on the wiring or electronics, a potential safety issue in time
- Coughing, headaches or other respiratory issues that abate once you are out of the house
Then there is the matter of the smell
People tend to notice the odor first and it is the most deceptive of them. Put in some effort to clean and open up the place and it will seem to have gone for a day or so. But have the furnace run or a warm afternoon set in and it reappears.
What you are up against is residue from the smoke that has made itself at home in the subflooring, drywall and insulation, well beyond the reach of any surface cleaning. We include duct cleaning in our fire recovery for this very reason, as the HVAC system is capable of distributing smoke to all rooms in the building.
No good in putting off the inevitable
Smoke residue is acidic in nature. If you let it be, it will etch glass, do away with metal and put a permanent stain on things. A repair that was simple to put right in the first few days can get to be a costly proposition in a matter of weeks.
Health is another consideration. Soot and fine particles in the air are not something you want to be breathing in on a daily basis, and those prone to asthma or allergies will feel the effects in short order. Early action is advisable for the sake of the home and its occupants.
Our approach to an inspection
We do not believe in a cursory walk-through. The complimentary inspection we perform on each job is meant to be thorough. We will be checking in the insulation and behind walls and in the vents to chart the full extent of the smoke’s reach, not merely the obvious.
Once we have done that, our team is in a position to oversee the entire recovery. Be it contents restoration for what can be saved, rebuilding, or the removal of smoke and odour, it is all taken care of by the same people. As we do our own plumbing and remodeling, there is no need to go elsewhere; you have a single point of contact from start to finish. We will also put in the work with your insurance company on the claim so you do not have to.
Make a call while you still can
If you recognise any of the above, there is no point in waiting. Hidden damage is best corrected early and an inspection will put you in the picture. We are here 24/7, 365 days a year, and our team is usually on site within 45 minutes. Contact United Water Restoration Group of Raleigh at (984) 367-6988.