No homeowner or business owner ever wishes to face the devastation of a fire, a calamity fraught with uncertainty, frustration, and anxiety. However, the aftermath often reveals an additional concern: “water damage after a house fire,” amplifying the complexity of recovery beyond just the initial flame damage.
Many individuals might not be aware that water damage following a fire is also a frequent occurrence. Water damage can result from firefighters using fire hoses or from a fire sprinkler system. Water damage after a fire is a common issue that occurs when firefighters use water to extinguish the fire. While water can effectively put out the flames, it can also cause significant damage to the affected structure and belongings. This occurs as water used to extinguish the fire can seep into walls, flooring, and other areas, saturating the material.
Either way, water can flood your structure and damage the walls, flooring, ceilings, and appliances. We will now list some additional ways water damage can occur after a house fire, providing essential information for addressing severe structural damage.
Ways Water Damage Occurs After a House Fire
Burst Pipe
Clogs, debris accumulation, and cold temperatures can all cause a pipe in your house or place of business to burst at any time, which frequently results in expensive repairs and unanticipated water damage.
However, did you realize that in the event of a fire emergency, a pipe might also burst?
The intense heat from a fire can damage the building’s piping system and put pressure on it, which could cause the pipes to distort, break, or eventually burst. This kind of extensive damage not only complicates repairs but also significantly reduces the property’s value, potentially leading to the challenging situation of selling a fire-damaged house.
Following a house fire, falling debris can also break or damage pipes and lead to a burst pipe, which causes flood damage and additional costs.
Sewer backflow
This is another common cause of damage from floods after a fire. The main reason for this type of damage is that debris from the fire clogs the system and then you end up with your basement or another part of your home flooded with several inches of bad-smelling wastewater.
Water damage from a sprinkler system
Sprinkler systems, common in commercial and residential complexes, provide continuous emergency water during fires.
Commercial buildings often have fire sprinkler systems installed on the ceiling. These systems consist of a sprinkler head with a small glass bulb in the center. This little glass bulb has a temperature threshold at which it shatters due to its heat sensitivity.
When the bulb breaks, water pours from the linked water line and showers the affected areas.
Although being in a fire is bad enough, dealing with water damage from a sprinkler system can also be quite stressful.
Bottom line
Damage from floods simply can’t be ignored after a house fire. Often, thousands of gallons of water are utilized to put out a fire that starts in your home.
No matter how tiny or large the fire is, keep in mind that firefighters will likely use water to respond to the situation.
That’s why water can end up on your floorboards, furniture, and other areas of your home.
Usually, the entire property is damaged. In this situation, it’s possible for mold to grow, which causes extra damage.
Within just 24 hours, the mold can establish a foothold and begin to grow. This, in turn, causes the floorboards and furniture to rot, compromising the structure of your home and aggravating your damages. This further deterioration not only increases repair costs but may also force homeowners into a difficult position where they might have to sell a fire-damaged house.
What to keep an eye on after a house fire
Following are some things to watch for or monitor after a house fire to ensure the water damage doesn’t get worse.
Cleanup
Cleaning your home, workplace, or other building is crucial after a fire has been extinguished by water. The best course of action is to remove damaged objects to promptly sanitize and clean your home.
Use disinfectants in the affected areas to prevent any mold growth and other health problems. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may want to clean areas multiple times.
Mold growth
Your health may be seriously threatened by mold. The truth is mold is a problem that, following a breakout, is difficult to manage. Mold comes in many different varieties, some of which are very poisonous.
Since it can help stop mold from growing on your items, a thorough cleaning process is quite important. You must thoroughly inspect all areas damaged by the fire or affected by water used to extinguish it.
Additionally, revisit and clean the worst-hit areas multiple times to prevent mold growth.
Ruined wood
Due to their high porosity, wood flooring and furniture quickly absorb water, resulting in damage. Remove any timber that has been severely saturated with water and damaged.
Make it a point to look for any signs of water damage in the cabinets, floors, and doors. Most people have strong attachments to their homes and find it difficult to part with them and the items inside. But it is best to get rid of everything that is significantly damaged.
Toxic substances
Several substances are released after a home fire. Many common materials burned during a house fire release these poisons, including vinyl, certain types of wood, textiles, and polymers.
The subsequent release of these poisons and compounds into the water used to put out the fire promotes the growth of fungi.
These fungi in turn may cause eye, respiratory, and skin irritations. If the cleanup isn’t done properly, residual substances might cause illnesses including cancer.
Wallboard deterioration
The quantity of water used to extinguish a house fire significantly impacts the extent of damage.
Large fires requiring substantial water increase the likelihood of your drywall absorbing water and becoming a breeding ground for mold.
That’s why it is often best to remove drywall and replace it.
Ensuring Your Home Is Safe
It’s important to address water damage promptly and properly to prevent further damage and potential health hazards. This typically involves the removal of damaged materials, drying out the affected areas, and repairing and restoring the structure and belongings.
To ensure your home is safe after a house fire, hire a professional restoration business experienced in both fire and water damage. The cost of repairing water damage after a house fire varies widely based on the damage extent and the home’s specific repair needs.
In general, it is estimated that water damage repairs can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars or more. The cost of property damage repairs will depend on factors such as the size of the affected area, the type of building materials that need to be replaced or repaired, the extent of any structural damage, and the cost of labor. Additionally, if there is significant mold or mildew growth as a result of the water damage, the cost of removing and treating it will be considered as extra costs to the overall repair costs. Also, keep in mind the temporary repairs after a house has been damaged are crucial. Temporary repairs aim to prevent further damage and ensure the property is safe for occupants or workers.
Another option is to sell your house in as-is condition to We Buy Fire Damaged Houses. That way you don’t have to worry about fixing fire, smoke, and water damage.
Instead, you can sell your burned house for a great price, get your money fast, and get on with your life.
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