Fire Damage Effects and Efforts in Cicero

8/31/2018 (Permalink)

When any portion of your home has suffered from fire damage, it is time to contact SERVPRO for effective remediation and cleanup services.

Team SERVPRO Understands How Different Materials Burn and Create Residues During a Fire

No matter the level of destruction, Cicero home fires are difficult to clean and restore. Dozens of different types of material burn in every home, even it lasts for only a few minutes. Temperatures vary over the life of fire, which affects how quickly and cleanly it all burns.
 
Many factors affect Cicero fire damage. Understanding them allows SERVPRO restoration teams to tailor a cleanup and restoration plan for each home. Different items burn quickly or slowly based on moisture and temperature, so anything that can melt on the surface of something like a kitchen counter can affect how we can clean it or decide to dispose of it.
 
First, one of our technicians examines each surface to see if it is porous or non-porous. A porous surface like latex paint or plastics, lets particles penetrate them even under normal circumstances. When a fire heats them up, particles can penetrate even deeper which make them more difficult to clean. Non-porous surfaces like vinyl and enamel paint resist better, making them easier to clean, even when heated in a house fire.
 
At the same time, other team members look for sprinklers and ask about fire suppression efforts by firefighters. A large amount of moisture increases the risk of staining surfaces and sets residues in a tougher layer, making them more difficult to clean. That applies to not just horizontal surfaces, but walls as well. Higher temperatures can also work with moisture on many surfaces to give them a yellowed appearance.
 
Now, SERVPRO technicians determine what burned. Physical damage from the flames means that the item requires disposal, but its material content tells our restoration teams what type of residue is left after the fire ends. Plastic and rubber kitchenware, for example, leave wet residues that can smear across surfaces. Technicians either allow the residue to dry, or use a stronger cleaning agent to make it easier to wipe it off the surface. Natural materials like wood burn more evenly and usually leave a powdery, dry residue that technicians can wipe away with a sponge and perhaps a mild cleaner.
 
There are other factors like age of the item, and how long the fire burned which help determine our cleaning and restoration efforts, but material, type of surface, and moisture are the main concerns for SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown when it comes to helping our neighbors return to their homes. If you need our help, call (773) 434-9100 today to set up a visit and inspection.

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