Why is Fire And Water Restoration Necessary?

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

The following is provided by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

Why Is Fire And Water Restoration Necessary?  

 The process of fire and water restoration is very involved when it is performed properly. The only way to have the most up to date techniques and approaches applied to the problem is to hire a certified professional. Only someone with experience and training will have access to the equipment and skills that are requisite for a proper restoration. 

With quick reaction time and the appropriate skill set, a technician can help to prevent further damage and repair that which has already been done. Smoke is a pernicious force when it is ignored. The speed with which smoke can have an effect is incredibly rapid. Damage levels that are reached in the span of a few weeks may be expensive and difficult to repair. Glass, carpet, wood and metals, each has their own reaction, each with varying permanence.

The process and equipment used during fire and water restoration will vary from case to case, since different materials require their own unique care. The circumstances of each incident are accounted for when deciding the course of action. The process generally spans a few days for both an evaluation of the damage and assessment of what has been lost is performed. Then, for water, the source of the damage is detected during an inspection of the impacted areas. The type of damage is classified from 1 (least) to 4 (most), and the contamination of the liquid is categorized. Knowledge gained from a class like Applied Structural Drying will be used. Technicians will sanitize the area and deodorize, rather than merely covering up unpleasant scents. An ozone generator, air scrubber, dehumidifier, or air mover may be employed.

For fire damage, general cleaning is done to remove ash and soot from ceiling to floor. Later, when almost all other aspects of the remediation are complete, thorough carpet cleaning takes place. Thermal fogging or chemical scrubs may be utilized to combat the dirt, smoke, and soot that are caught in the recesses of the homes hard surfaces, including ceiling, walls and flooring. Reconstruction may have to be performed to parts of the building that cannot be returned to their former condition with mere cleaning.

The quick remediation of the problem is important for more than repairs, it is also a health consideration. Allowing the moisture or smoke residue to remain can decrease air quality. Having a professional come to assist with drying and dehumidifying after water damage is a large part of mold prevention.

Choose a company for fire and water restoration with the appropriate licenses and proof that they have the proper insurance. Their safety and health certifications should be up to date, as well as their specialized training. Look for technicians that have been trained formally in schools approved by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. 

Whether the work to be done is in a commercial or residential location, the damage recovery should be performed by technicians with experience and certification. Attempting to reverse the damage is not a project that can be efficiently handled by a homeowner or person that is inexperienced. The highest satisfaction with results is gained from hiring certified, professionally equipped technicians. Certifications are earned through class time, application and documentation of skills and written exams. Courses cover basic skills and also have combinations of classes to create certification tracks in specialized areas. The courses are maintained by the IICRC, which regulate and approve course material and information. Available nationwide, there are a variety of classes that are designed to allow technicians to approach any problem and mitigate the damage, while also understanding the science behind the solutions.

Fire or Water Damage In Your Home or Business? Contact our IICRC Certified Professionals here at SERVPRO of Oldham/Shelby County. 502.241.6141

SERVPRO of Oldham/Shelby County also proudly serves Spencer, Henry, and Trimble Counties.