Smoke and Water Damage After a Fire

Most homeowners think that when they are dealing with a house fire, the only type of damage to the property that they will have to contend with is fire damage. This is not always true, since something that is almost always used to put out a house fire is water. Any excess amount of water in your home can cause water damage to the structure, any appliances, and furniture inside and since a fire truck can hold countless gallons, you will likely see this after the fire has been put out and you re-enter your home.

Talk to your fire marshal and make sure that your home is safe to return to after the fire is over. If you see standing water in any portion of the house, cut the electricity off before you go into it, since you could be electrocuted by venturing inside before it is cut off. Do what you can to remove as much of the water from the house as possible before mold starts to grow on anything. If you have food in the freezer that is still sealed, take these and put them into another freezer at a friend’s home.

Whatever you do, do not allow any children or pets back into the house until the rehabilitation inside the house is finished. Pay attention to the health of your pets, as well, after the fire is over and make sure that they get any care that they may require. Birds will need special attention, since they do not respond well to environmental changes.

Do not use an upright vacuum cleaner to clean the soot and ash from your carpet. The brushes on the bottom of these will only drive this debris further into the fabric. You should also not use one on upholstered furniture for the same reason. After you vacuum floors and furniture, you should not walk on them and if you have to, tarp should be laid down over them.

Smoke damage on the ceilings and upper walls will need to be painted over. Trying to wash this off the walls usually does not work and only smears the stain around. Painting over this is the only efficient option.

Food that was opened inside the house when the fire started needs to be thrown out. Do not eat anything that had the seal on it broken, whether in the refrigerator or on the counter, such as chips.


Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
damage restoration companies and
mold removal companies across the united states.