Do You Need Repairs and Restoration Following a Business Fire?
Many businesses suffer from fires and related fire damage each year. Sometimes, the damage may not seem severe. In fact, you might think that, once the fire has been put out and the business cleaned up, you're ready to re-open.
While you may sometimes be able to re-open soon after a fire, more often than not, serious damage exists, damage you might not even be aware of.
For this reason, you must educate yourself on the warning signs that you need some professional restorative help following a business fire.
Unsafe or Weak Areas
After a fire, assess your business and all parts of it carefully. Take notice if you see any weak or sagging areas in your floor or ceiling.
Also, if any spot looks caved in or otherwise dangerous, call a professional restoration company. In fact, even if you don't spot dangerous looking areas, you may want to call a professional to assess your business.
Fires sometimes cause structural damage that may or may not be noticeable but that can make your business a hazardous place to be.
Lingering Odors
Whether the damage caused by a business fire is minor or severe, the lingering smoke and its smell are a whole other battle to contend with.
When you breathe in smoke fumes, even older ones, you put your lungs and your health as risk. To protect yourself and everyone who enters your business, be especially cautious about entering and using your business after a fire, especially when smoke smells linger.
The smell of smoke in the air can mean that your business still poses a hazard to your health and the health of others and that you need more in-depth cleaning and restoration.
Moisture
Much of the damage caused by a fire is actually due to the water used to put out the fire, not the fire itself.
Therefore, after a fire, take notice of any areas that are still wet, especially wet or dripping insulation. Insulation is very close to the interior parts of your business, which makes it more of a risk to the business' structure and integrity.
Furthermore, wet insulation or other business parts can easily lead to mold growth, which is very hazardous to human health.
Excessive Soot
A fire leaves behind soot, which is like a thick layer of dust that covers anything and everything that was near the burning flames.
You may find soot on your walls, your floors, your ceilings, and more.
While you may be able to scrub some of the soot away, if a lot remains or if the soot seems to come back after cleaning, you need more intensive cleaning measures to truly make your business safe and presentable again.
Salvaged Items
Many people are incredibly grateful when they can salvage and continue to use items that have been through a fire. However, if you intend to use salvaged items in your business, properly sanitize them first. While items may look and even act fine following a fire, they can still have odors, damage, and other problems that make them unsafe to use without proper sanitation.
Foundation Cracks
You might not think of your business' foundation when you check for fire damage.
However, a fire sometimes weakens the building's foundation, making the building unsafe for further use without intervention.
Whether you inspect your own foundation or hire someone to do the inspection, look carefully for cracks in the foundation. Cracks are one of the most common indicators that your foundation has been damaged or weakened by fire.
A building fire can feel like a tragedy, but it doesn't have to be one. Know what to look for and get the right help as needed for a faster, safer fire recovery. For expert, professional help after a fire, contact the pros at C & Z Construction.
