WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS OF LIVING WITH SMOKE DAMAGE?

Living with smoke damage is not only uncomfortable but it can also pose risks to your health. Knowing what risks smoke damage in your home can pose to your health may be just the push you need to get your smoke damage cleaned up and taken care of.

RESPIRATORY ISSUES

The first major health risk is problems with your breathing. Though the smoke is no longer present, the effects of the smoke linger in furniture, walls, carpet and more, which can all lead to problems breathing. Each time that you come in contact with the smoke-damaged area of your home, you risk inhaling soot and other particles that are left behind after the fire has cleared. This can cause issues with your sinuses, lungs and more which can end up causing greater health issues down the road.

SKIN ISSUES

Soot and smoke residue can also be a skin irritants and can cause damage to your skin. Smoke residue and soot can cause major irritation and drying that cannot be treated with things like lotion. In some cases, these issues may end up being more severe and may require medical attention. Though you can wash things like clothes and fabrics after they have incurred smoke damage, there may still be remnants of the smoke that continue to irritate the skin and cause discomfort.

EYE IRRITATION

Smoke and soot can also cause itchy, red, watery eyes that are never comfortable. Smoke damage, even when you cannot see it, can cause irritation and even damage to your eyes after a prolonged amount of time. If you are noticing any signs of eye irritation, consult with a doctor and have your property mitigated immediately.

Smoke damage can cause a wide range of issues, and as such, it is best to have this damage cleaned up as soon as it happens. Cleaning up smoke damage by professionals is the quickest way to avoid any health issues down the road. Affordable Home Works is a full-service fire, smoke and water restoration company. We offer immediate response to residential, commercial, industrial and commercial property owners and offer immediate assistance to properties that have experienced unexpected natural disasters such as smoke or flood damage.

We know that you want to keep your family or employees and property, safe from harm. And although you can’t control a natural disaster that brings about floods or fires, there are a few things to take note of around the house or office that can help you avoid potential property damage.

Many items or bad habits you employ can possibly lead to fire or water damage. And since we already know the obvious issues, we have decided to look at some of the uncommon causes of fire and water damage in this post.

5 UNCOMMON CAUSES OF FIRE DAMAGE

It’s pretty common knowledge that the most common places that fires occur in the home are in the kitchen, usually from cooking. But what are some of the more uncommon causes of fire damage? We have a look at a few here.

1. GLASS ITEMS

You’ve done the science experiment as a kid. You know that when light passes through a magnifying glass, a fire can start if the glass is pointed at a flammable object. Even though this may sound like a stretch, light passing through an empty jar or crystal object can also start a fire.

If the light is refracted by these items towards, say, paper or curtains with enough time, a fire can start. Where do you keep your glass items? Time to take stock.

2. DISHWASHERS

Although dishwashers are our handy helpers in the kitchen, they can also be dreaded fire starters. And not just because they are electrical appliances. When a faulty dishwasher has water dripping onto the machine’s internal wires, it can cause a fire.

The trick with all your electrical devices is to include them on a regular maintenance schedule to keep them in tip-top shape. This will ensure you have no surprise fires starting in and around the house.

3. 9-VOLT BATTERIES

Although 9-volt batteries aren’t very powerful; if you don’t dispose of them properly, they can be hazardous.

If the battery’s posts somehow come in contact with a piece of metal and the piece of metal then touches an item that’s flammable, like a piece of paper or magazine, you’ll find a fire can start.

Before disposing of your old batteries, place a piece of tape on the posts; that way, you can be sure that you should be safe even if they find their way next to a piece of metal.

Also, be on the lookout for a local recycling depot or company that will dispose of batteries correctly.

4. COMPUTERS

Not our trusty work companions! As we’re sure you’ve felt for yourself, laptops create quite a bit of heat when operating for several hours, and actually, most PCs and even gaming equipment are prone to overheating.

No matter whether it’s dust, a malfunction or even an electrical shortage that is the cause, these devices can start a fire if close to a flammable item due to the extreme heat they create.

5. DUST

Okay, now we know you think we are crazy. But think about your dust bunnies. Come on; we know you have some – they’re in those hard-to-reach places like under the beds or sofas. If these dust bunnies travel close to a wall socket or a heating appliance, they can ignite.

What will happen is sparks will fly towards them, and then once they catch fire, they may spread to nearby furniture or other flammable objects. Make sure you are checking under your furniture for dust bunnies and vacuuming them up regularly.

UNCOMMON CAUSES OF WATER DAMAGE

Of course, the most common causes of water damage are severe weather conditions, burst pipes, sewage backups and problematic HVAC units. But let’s take a look at the more unexpected causes of water damage here.

GUTTERS

How often do you check that your gutters are not blocked or damaged? We’re guessing the answer is not too often. I mean, who can even see their gutters or even notice them.

But another critical item to be on a regular maintenance schedule is gutters. If your gutter is clogged, water can pool up on the outside and inside of your home or building. This can lead to water damage and mold growth.

FIRE

Using water to contain a fire is essential. But this in itself can cause a lot of property damage. And the mix of soot and water is quite damaging to your furnishings and property. We are often unaware of how extensive this water damage can be, and if unlucky, this water damage can lead to mold growth.

TURN TO THE FIRE AND WATER RESTORATION EXPERTS IN A TIME OF CRISIS

Finding fire and water restoration companies that provide you with all the tools and options that you need to get your property back to its original state, whether dealing with fire or flood damage, is essential.

At Affordable Home Works Restoration, we take care of the entire fire water restoration process beyond what can be seen at a glance.

Contact us today for a free consultation and learn why homeowners and big businesses trust us to restore, rebuild and recover their property after damage.

Everything You Should Know About Fire Damage Restoration 

A home fire can be one of the most devastating disasters anyone can experience. Our homes provide shelter, yes, but they’re also the primary source of safety and security. Holding memories, keepsakes, and irreplaceable heirlooms. Losing that can be devastating, disorienting, and can leave you with a lot of questions. 

Between the shock, the grief, and the overwhelm, it can be impossible to know where to begin. 

You’ll need to know who to call and what to expect. Where can you stay? What happens to all the furniture? Can we still live here? 

With Affordable Home Works, you don’t have to face it alone. We’re here to help every step of the way while with a team of restoration experts. 

Let’s take a look at the fire damage restoration process. 

What Is Considered Fire Damage? 

The technical definition of fire damage is damage to any physical structure or property caused by burning. But what does this really mean? 

Fire damage includes damage to physical structures inside and outside and damage caused by smoke, soot, or other hazards like lead or asbestos. 

Often, fire and water damage will occur simultaneously. As the fire burns, pipes, faucets, or hot water tanks can melt, causing pipes to burst. As the fire department puts out the fire, the structure is flooded with water, which can cause additional damage. 

Common Damage Caused By Fire 

Beyond the visible damage caused by burning is underlying and sometimes catastrophic destruction, especially if it isn’t addressed immediately. 

Some of the most common damages are:

• Damaged air ducts 
• Warped wood in floors, doorways, and frames
• Plumbing damage
• Mold from potential water damage
• Exposure of hazardous materials in the structure 
• Chemical damage from the fire department
• Personal item damage to rugs, furniture, etc.
• Electrical system impairment 
• HVAC damage
• Appliance damage

Other types of damage can include damage to outside structures or other parts of the attached property. 

Affordable Home Works is an all in one restoration service that can assess and repair damage to crawl spaces, basements (including sewage backups that can happen from fire damage), mold removal and remediation. However complex the damage from a fire may seem, we can handle it all. 

When To Consider Home Restoration Services

A typical restoration process can take several weeks to complete as a non-professional, and longer if you’re trying to continue working during daytime hours.

Depending on the extent of the destruction, you may not be able to reside in the home during the restoration process either. Plus, proper restoration requires tools that can be costly for one-time use or unavailable for non-licensed use.  

Fire damage restoration can be an overwhelming process for homeowners, even if the fire is small. The extra time invested in clean-up, grief, and the frustration of living out of a hotel can have you at wits end. 

Consider home restoration services to speed up the restoration process, ensure restoration is thorough, and help reconstruction efforts. The last thing you need in the event of a home fire is to discover missed damage months or even years later. One small piece of damage can lead to more expensive repairs and replacements down the road.  

A reputable company will have professional tools like deodorizers, thermal imaging cameras, dehumidifiers, HEPA vacuums, moisture meters, industrial fans, specialized cleaning products to remove smoke smells and soot without damaging surfaces or fibers, and more. 

A home restoration service is well equipped to handle all the ups and downs while also dealing with insurance companies. 

What’s Involved In The Process Of Fire Damage Restoration 

Before restoration can begin, authorities must clear the property for safety. This is usually done by the fire department or first responder team. Without this, no one will be able to access the property legally. The next step is to contact the insurance company. 

Once those steps are completed, a team of professionals can begin the process of fire damage restoration. First, Affordable Home Works will assess the damage. Some factors we consider are the size of the fire, damage to the structure, electrical wiring, water pipes, insulation, mold, and smoke damage. 

Once the assessment is completed, the real work begins. Large debris and remaining household items may be removed. If the fire damaged the roof or burned through external walls, those areas will be boarded up or closed with a tarp. The physical structure and property may be fenced in with caution tape or temporary fencing.  

Next, demolition can start. This includes removal of damaged drywall and other materials that may have fallen during the fire. During this stage, any water caused by the fire or from the emergency response team will be removed. 

Soot will be cleaned from all remaining surfaces with specialized cleaning products. Carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture will be cleaned. Air purifiers and dehumidifiers will be used to mitigate the smoke odor. 

Finally, repairs and replacements can begin. All water pipes, electric wires, HVAC systems, and gas lines will be checked, assessed, and replaced if needed. 

It’s best to check with your home owners insurance agent to determine what costs may be covered. Almost almost standard homeowners insurance policies cover smoke damage, but they can vary for repairs beyond that. 

Affordable Home Works Is The Premier Home Restoration Service 

Our team of professionals comply with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certificate (IICRC). We provide comprehensive restoration services from water and fire damage to crawl space and basement mold. 

We work with the insurance company and have a structural repair and building reconstruction team in house. With 30 years of expertise, AHW is committed to turning devastating turmoil into organized recovery you can trust. 

We specialize in both residential and commercial property restoration services and are available 24/7 for all your disaster needs. 

Give us call at 951-261-8075 or contact us online for a free estimate or to get started on your home restoration service today. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will make you feel right at home when the unthinkable happens.