Addressing Water Damage after a Fire

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

Friend or Foe? Is water a collaborator in fighting a fire or an accomplice to the damage sustained? Water, if not correctly used, it can be a double-edged sword in a fire hazard. It might initially sound counter-intuitive to consider water damage after a fire hazard. Still, water is involved in every stage of a fire hazard.

At the beginning of a fire

If you have fire sprinklers, these are activated by smoke or heat. Some sprinkler systems are activated only in specific rooms where the fire is detected, while others are an all-or-nothing system. As the whole room or area gets sprinkled with water, materials also get sprayed.

During the fire

If the fire spreads and gets hotter, utility pipes get damaged. Fire quickly melts and damages PVC water pipes, and leakages occur. If the water pipes are copper, the fire heats the water and builds up pressure in the pipes. Cracks and joints can burst open, flooding the immediate area.

Fighting the fire

The main weapon firefighters deploy a fire with is their water hose. The pressure, force, and sheer amount of water brought to bear on a building is often enough to douse a fire, break properties, and drench everything. It is a common sight for furniture and household items to be soggy in the aftermath of a fire due to this step.

After the fire

At this phase, it is essential to quickly address the damage from the previous stages, as water damage can have a lasting effect. When water damage is left unaddressed, the damage compounds over time. The moist environment and soaked materials are perfect conditions for mold to grow. 

Carpets get damaged, drywall, and the ceiling soaks up water, compromising their structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Unaddressed, water damage from a fire constitutes a danger. The seal around appliances such as sockets and bathtubs weaken and break lose, opening up an opportunity for infestation by moisture-loving pests such as pill bugs. Electrical shock is another risk unaddressed water damage can pose.

It is imperative to contact a restoration expert as delay often leads to further damage and rising costs. Their understanding and help would also help get your home/office back to normal as soon as possible. Contact SERVPRO of Midtown Memphis to address your fire and water damage concerns.