Why a Professional Restoration Company is the Only Way to Go After a Disaster
Both natural and man-made disasters can damage a commercial building. Dangers lurk in every corner of a damaged building. Even if your building does not sustain heavy damage after a disaster, it may still be unsafe and should be inspected by a professional. You must enter your building only after your property restoration company deems it safe.
Property restoration after a disaster is best left to experts. There are several factors to be considered and many hidden dangers that can worsen if not remedied properly. Taking the DIY route should not even be an option.
Here are some compelling reasons to hire a professional for property restoration after a disaster.
You Can Get Exposed to Hidden Health Hazards
The dangers of a fire do not end once you extinguish it. Smoke and soot particles left behind after a fire can settle into tiny crevices in your home. If not removed properly on time, these particles can irritate your lungs.
If you enter your house immediately after a fire, chemical-laden soot and smoke particles can get into your eyes and penetrate your skin. If these particles enter your lungs, you may experience shortness of breath or other respiratory issues. In people with allergies and asthma, these particles can cause flare-ups.
Long-term exposure to soot and smoke particles can have permanent health effects such as decreased lung functioning and loss of lung capacity. In a worst-case scenario, people with a compromised immune system can develop emphysema, asthma, and bronchitis.
Soot produced during a fire contains toxic substances that either didn’t burn completely or were produced as a result of chemical reactions caused by heat. Studies show that invisible soot particles may contain carcinogens and other harmful substances such as asbestos fibers, formaldehyde, tar, and ammonia.
If your property was damaged in a fire recently, hire a fire restoration company in Lake County for property restoration. Your fire restoration company will employ deep-cleaning techniques to thoroughly clean areas and restore your home to its pre-fire condition.
Safety
Whether your property was damaged in a man-made disaster or a natural disaster such as an earthquake, tornado, or flash floods, safety should be top of mind.
There are several types of damage that are not easily noticeable. If you do not have a professional inspect your property, these problems can snowball into major issues, leading to a slew of safety concerns.
If, for instance, your floor has been weakened in a flood, it could collapse at any moment. A professional will fix the problem in a timely manner before things take a turn for the worse.
Similarly, a storm can blow shingles off your roof, leaving it vulnerable to water intrusion. A property restoration company can nip the problem in the bud, helping you steer clear of safety issues.
You Could Mistakenly Throw Away Salvageable Items
Deciding whether an item is salvageable after a fire or a natural disaster can be tricky. Many homeowners are unable to tell the difference between salvageable items and the ones that are beyond repairs. They mistakenly deem salvageable items a lost cause and dispose them of.
Throwing away household equipment irresponsibly contributes to global warming. Every year, thousands of tons of salvageable household items end up in landfills in different parts of the country. When these items decompose, they release methane, a greenhouse gas.
A property restoration company can help minimize losses after a disaster. Your contractor will use advanced recovery techniques to salvage items. The professional will properly dispose of the items that cannot be salvaged to minimize environmental impact.
They Use Specialized Equipment
Restoring a property to its former glory after a disaster can prove to be an uphill battle for the average homeowner. To properly restore a property after a disaster, you will need specialized tools and equipment. These tools often carry a hefty price tag.
Half-baked knowledge can be very dangerous. If you decide to take the DIY route without understanding the implications of your actions, you may inadvertently cause more damage.
Property restoration experts know what they are doing. Equipped with knowledge and skills, they use specialized tools designed to help them deep clean all surfaces and areas to eliminate lingering health risks.
Many fire restoration companies use ozonation machines designed to produce the ozone gas that removes smoke smell from upholstery, clothing, and carpets.
Laundering clothes after a fire can cause permanent damage. Your contractor will use special dry-cleaning techniques to salvage clothes damaged in a fire.
They Can Help Prevent/Mitigate Water Damage
Was your home flooded recently? If so, you need to proceed with caution. Standing water in a property is a recipe for disaster. In addition to saturating and damaging items in your home, standing water can provide plenty of moisture for mold to grow and spread.
Mold colonies can start to grow on a damp surface within 24-48 hours. Indoor mold is unsightly and smelly. Exposure to mold can cause a whole host of health problems, ranging from breathing issues to rashes.
Standing water can also damage your drywall and flooring. An experienced contractor will thoroughly clean different parts of your home and household equipment to minimize loss and health risks.
West Coast Fire and Water is a leading fire restoration company in Lake County. We use the latest tools and time-tested techniques to restore properties damaged in disasters to their former glory. To discuss your project with our team, call (707) 504-3708.