Is Water Damage Common After a Fire?

10/6/2022 (Permalink)

Is Water Damage Common After a Fire?

When we hear about a fire, we often think of flames and smoke, but there are other elements that arrive at the scene along with those who respond to put out the fire. These elements include water and other materials used to put out fires, as well as firefighters themselves who may be covered in soot or ash as they do their best to keep everyone safe. While most people think of fire only damaging one room at a time—their own home or business—the truth is that water damage from fighting fires can extend beyond just one room in your house or building. In fact, water damage after fires can affect entire structures if not handled properly!

Fire extinguishers are primarily made of water.

Fire extinguishers are primarily made of water, but they're pressurized to about 30 pounds per square inch (PSI), which is enough to expel their contents as a fine mist. This helps put out fires by cooling and suffocating them. Fire extinguishers are typically labeled A, B, C, or D depending on their contents: water, carbon dioxide (CO2), foam, and dry chemical powder respectively. They should be tested regularly so you know they're still in working order—this can be done at home with an aerosol can sprayer or by a fire station in your area.

Water is used to suppress the fire.

A fire truck carries a large amount of water, and firefighters will spray huge amounts of water on a home or business as part of the firefighting effort. This is done for two reasons: to douse flames and to cool materials taking the brunt of the heat and flames. The combination of heat and moisture can cause extensive water damage, even more so than fire damage. The first step in removing water from your home or business is to pump out standing water.

• Water damage can be even more extensive than fire damage.
• Water causes damage to the structure and building materials like drywall, insulation, floors, and ceilings. Water also causes mold and mildew growth which is very expensive to repair.
• Water damage can cause electrical problems such as short circuits and corroded wiring, which pose a serious safety hazard if left unchecked. Firefighters are trained on how to deal with both types of damage but in some cases, water may be more prevalent than fire so it's important that you assess your situation carefully before calling in professionals for help with either type of disaster recovery service

The first step is to remove the water.

The first step in removing water from your home or business is to pump out standing water. The two most common ways you can do this are the following:

• Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water. A wet/dry vacuum uses a pump to extract surface-level water from carpets, floors, and other surfaces. If you don’t have one at home already (they're not as expensive as you might think), then consider renting one from a hardware store nearby for about $50 per day or less.
• Use a submersible pump to remove standing water. If there's an underground source of the flooding—whether it's rainwater seeping through cracks in the foundation or sewage backup into pipes—you may need to hire an expert plumber who has access to specialized equipment like submersible pumps (which look like hoses with handles) that can be used underwater without causing damage inside walls or floors where they're placed.[1]

The next step is to dry out your structure.

The second step in water removal is to use air blowers and dehumidifiers to remove residual moisture from inside the structures in your home or business.

Air blowers are specialized tools that use forced air to dry out wet walls, floors, and other surfaces. They're particularly useful for drying out the walls of an office building after a fire because they can be used on all four sides of each room simultaneously instead of just one side at a time with traditional drying methods.

Dehumidifiers are also important tools for removing residual moisture from within a structure after it's been damaged by firefighting efforts. The goal with these devices is to lower the relative humidity level so that mold growth doesn't occur while you wait for professional restoration services like ours here at SERVPRO of Miami Lakes! We even offer financing options if you need them!

Preventing mold and mildew.

In the final step of water removal, you must treat any surfaces that may have been affected by mold or mildew growth as a result of sitting in water for an extended period of time. Mold and mildew can cause substantial damage to your property. The organisms thrive in wet environments, so it's important to remove them as soon as possible.

Mold and mildew removal is best done by professionals who understand the complexities of moisture damage. This can get expensive quickly if you don't properly protect your house from future leaks or other causes of water damage!

Fire damage and water damage are closely related.

If you’re dealing with water damage after a fire, it's important to know that the two are closely related. Water damage is caused by firefighting efforts, and can be more extensive than the fire itself. This can cause mold and mildew growth, and structural damage—and all of this recovery work has to be done before you can move back into your home.

If you've just experienced a fire in your home or business in Miami Lakes, FL, and need help getting back on your feet, reach out to us today!

Fire damage is a serious problem, and water damage can be even worse. If you’re in the process of dealing with fire or smoke damage, it’s important to take steps immediately to prevent further damage. The best way to do this is by hiring professional water removal services as soon as possible after your fire has been extinguished.