Every fire loss is devastating, but homeowners frequently overlook significant hidden damages. While hidden fire loss damages can be challenging to identify with a quick survey, they should never ever be ignored. Knowing what other impacts a fire can have on your property will give you foresight on what to look out for when submitting a property insurance claim post-disaster.
Hidden Damages You Should Watch Out For
As far as unexpected disasters go, a fire may cause a lot of damage to your property. If you have never handled a fire before, you might not realize that it may cause additional, hidden damages. Secondary damages, such as those not directly caused by the fire, are common. If you would like to be sure you’ll be compensated in full by your insurance provider, you must be aware of these potential problems.
Damage Due to Smoke and Soot
Remains of whatever was burned can be discovered in the smoke. As a result, the entire house is covered with black soot. Any damage caused by smoke or soot must be dealt with immediately to prevent more complications with breathing, skin, eyesight, and a whole lot more. It can also have long-lasting effects on the health of children.
While soot can be easily removed from floorings, wall surfaces, and appliances, you shouldn’t attempt to do it alone. Your insurance provider should cover hiring a team of emergency fire restoration experts to clean up smoke and soot. Airborne soot is undetectable, so you will likely be unaware if you are inhaling it. Plus, the longer it remains, the harder it is to remove.
Water Damage
After extinguishing the fire, you should expect water to soak through every part of your home’s structure and furnishings. Fires cause structural damage and often result in water damage as an additional consequence. In the worst situations, black mold can develop after water damage. Black mold can cause vomiting, headaches, and respiratory problems if inhaled. Working with a specialist to dry out the area and check for mold after a fire is put out is vital before any further repairs can be made.
Mold Problems
Mold buildup isn’t always a pressing concern, but it may turn into one sooner or later. When the water used to extinguish the fire is not cleaned correctly, it can trigger mold growth in the future. A wet and warm environment is necessary for mold to grow on a surface. These requirements are fulfilled when a fire breaks out and is suppressed on a property. Therefore, the risk of mold invading your home increases considerably following a fire. So if you suspect mold after a fire, contact a remediation specialist to check your home.
Structural Damage
Structural damage is just one of a fire’s many hidden consequences on a property. Although concrete is durable and difficult to break, it will become a problem if it is exposed to fire. Restoration companies highly recommend keeping an eye out for structural damage signs like newly formed concrete cracks caused by the material’s expansion because of high temperatures.
After a house fire, structural issues pose a significant risk and need to be evaluated by experts. If you need guidance on how to deal with structural damage after a fire, you can look at the homepage of various restoration companies online.
Final Thoughts
Property damage from a fire is a traumatic experience that requires a significant investment of time, effort, and mental strength in order to bounce back. Getting the assistance you need to recover immediately from a fire and fix any hidden damages it will cause is vital, so it’s best to seek the help of professionals specializing in restoration.