Fire and smoke cause billions of dollars of property damage throughout the U.S. annually. When you have safety restored at your home or business, and the fire department and your insurance company have handled their business with you, it is time for you to get a plan in place for cleaning up and repairing your property.
If you suffer a fire loss, it is critical to get us involved as quickly as possible. The professionals at American Veterans Restoration are available around the clock for emergency service and consultation with you on-site to begin the assessment of your situation. We understand your need to get your property cleaned and restored as quickly as possible, and we work diligently to give you an honest and reliable estimate of the time that we need to get everything back into shape.
We keep safety at a premium by using security boards, covers, and fencing during cleanup and repairs as needed. We take steps to preserve your building’s structural integrity pending repairs with necessary temporary supports. If standing water or excess moisture is present from extinguishers or leaks, we remove the water and use drying equipment to prevent further structural or environmental damage.
When everything is secure and dry, we assess which materials must be removed and which can be repaired or properly cleaned on-site. We get the things that must go removed and disposed of or salvaged as quickly as possible.
In areas that only have smoke damage, we can normally remove soot and refinish and repaint surfaces that are not structurally defective. Smoke residue and lasting odor often permeate rooms and sections of buildings not directly harmed by fire, and we investigate the entirety of your building to ensure that these have been addressed as needed.
We then handle the structural repairs that are needed. We have years of experience in handling remediation construction involving carpentry, electrical and plumbing work, painting, roofing, HVAC systems, and related work.
Especially for older buildings, a fire damage remediation project provides an ideal opportunity to upgrade fire resistance and safety features. Interconnected and networked smoke alarms with backup systems can be installed and integrated with security systems. Restoration materials and new furnishings that use modern design and construction for fire resistance can add long-term value and possible future insurance benefits. We can also help you decide if a fire damage remediation project makes for a good time to consider other renovations or upgrades that you have been considering.
In addition to handling the restoration of property that you already own; we can also evaluate fire-damaged buildings that can make solid investment opportunities if the price is right and the cleanup and repair costs are manageable under the circumstances.
As a local company that is veteran-owned and operated, American Veterans Restoration approaches its daily mission with unmatched customer service as its primary focus. We are available 24-7 and our licensed, insured, and certified professional team is prepared to assess and assist with your fire damage problems. AVR is the top damage restoration and remediation firm serving the United States. Contact us today to request an inspection regarding your fire cleanup and repair project.
There are few home disasters more devastating than a fire. Not only is the initial experience terrifying and destructive, but taking care of the aftermath can be emotionally, physically, and financially draining. Once you remove the debris and non-salvageable belongings from your home, you will need to identify and deal with the leftover damage. Recovering from a fire can cost thousands of dollars, even upwards of $50,000 if the roof or kitchen is destroyed.
When it comes to long-term consequences, smoke can be just as much of an issue as the fire itself. Finding and repairing smoke damage can be especially cumbersome as it is not always visible to the human eye. Tiny particles can settle in hidden spaces and cause harm without you knowing. Moreover, they are often stubborn and challenging to remove. At American Veterans Restoration, we know all the right tricks for finding and repairing smoke damage and fixing up your home.
When wood and other organic materials burn, they produce a mixture of gases and fine particles called smoke. Smoke residues can be physically harmful to building materials as well as your belongings. The thin film left behind contains sulfides, chlorides, and other acid precursors. Burned plastics, such as PVC piping, are particularly corrosive and can permanently damage electronics through corrosion and odor. Even if it does not destroy them, it can still interfere with their functioning.
Smoke can also contaminate HVAC systems by entering heating and cooling ducts, impacting indoor air quality until adequately dealt with. Inhaling smoke long-term or even short-term can cause temporary and permanent health effects, ranging from dizziness and difficulties breathing to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Tiny smoke particles can enter the bloodstream or penetrate deep into sensitive areas of the lung and lodge there, aggravating respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma.
One of the most frustrating smoke elements to deal with is odor. It can settle in any number of places and persist for decades if left alone. When it permeates fabrics such as curtains, clothing, and upholstered furniture, a regular washing or cleaning job is typically inadequate. Even after several rounds in the washer, you are still able to smell it. To eliminate the smoke odor completely, items need to be treated with special chemical counteractants that break up smoke particles on a molecular level. Which type of counteractant you should use depends on what materials were burned during the fire. A professional restoration company like American Veterans Restoration can identify the correct counteractant and apply it where needed. Sometimes, more comprehensive measures are necessary. With thermal fogging, a chemical fog is dispersed throughout your home and walls to neutralize smoke odors. Another process, called ozone treatment, utilizes tenting and powerful generators that produce O3, a powerful oxidizer that attacks organic materials.
Restoring and repairing a home devastated by smoke can be complicated and time-consuming to do on your own. Moreover, the most hazardous components are often invisible and odorless. Considering the potential health complications caused by residual smoke particles, it is best to consult a professional. American Veterans Restoration technicians have the right tools and know the best techniques for dealing with smoke in obscure places and making your home like new. Contact us today to make all your smoke worries fade away.
