A house fire is a stressful situation that can have long-lasting effects on your health and well-being. Even after the fire is out, gases, smoke residue, and structural issues can impact the integrity and safety of your residence. There are many dangers that you can’t see, and these microscopic particles contain lingering toxins.
Toxic Residue From Smoke
Once the fire is put out, it leaves behind a thick layer of soot that contains carbon, chemicals, and other materials. This is from things like plastics, fabrics, and insulation burning and breaking down. This soot settles onto your walls, ceilings, furniture, and inside your HVAC system. It’s essential that you don’t breathe this material in. It can cause severe irritation to your lungs, trigger asthma attacks, and result in cardiovascular problems. Soot can be carcinogenic, raising your risk of certain cancers.
Odors and Irritants in the Air
Even if you clean your home, there can be odors and irritants in the air that you can breathe in and absorb through your skin. Long-term exposure can cause headaches, airway irritation, coughing, and sinus problems. Your HVAC system will worsen this problem by circulating the contaminants, especially if they are in your ducts as well.
Structural Damage and Dangers
Fire quickly weakens whatever material it encounters. This includes things like beams, joists, walls, ceilings, and flooring. While they may seem ok on the surface, there may be damage on the interior that compromises their integrity. The extreme heat from a fire can even warp metal, weakening fasteners throughout your home. You can experience a ceiling falling or a floor caving in as a result of fire damage.
Electrical and Wiring Concerns
Fire can quickly melt wire insulation and increase the risk of shorts, fires, or electrical shock. Most people don’t know that soot is conductive and can cause arcing inside your outlets. Circuits may seem functional for some time, but eventually experience problems.
Mold Growth
When firefighters use water to put out a fire, this moisture can quickly turn into mold growth. Wet drywall, insulation, and flooring can start to grow mold in as little as 24 hours. Mold spores will quickly spread, leading to respiratory problems and other health issues. Mold remediation is a very extensive and expensive process to take on.
Don’t take on a DIY fire restoration project yourself. This is a process that requires the knowledge and experience of a professional. Contact our team at Springfield Restoration & Remodeling in Fort Wayne, IN, to schedule fire restoration services today.