Why a Professional Restoration Company is the Only Way to Go After a Disaster
When a storm, fire, or any other type of disaster strikes your home, the aftermath can be devastating. It’s hard to know what to do and where to begin picking up the pieces. If there is significant damage to your home, the thought of the cleanup process can be overwhelming. You may ask yourself if you should do the cleanup yourself to save the cost of hiring a professional. How hard could it be? In actual fact, the cleanup and restoration process after a disaster is a huge job. It is not as simple as a DIY job. There are many factors that need to be considered and many hidden dangers that can get worse if not handled properly. Here are the reasons why it’s best to hire a professional restoration company after a disaster has struck your home.
Smoke and Fire Damage
On the surface, smoke damage doesn’t seem that bad. You may assume that you could probably use a household cleaner to get rid of any marks or stains. However, the danger of smoke damage isn’t necessarily about what you can see but what you can’t see. Smoke particles are very fine and have a knack for settling into the small crack and crevices of your home. If not removed, the burnt smell can linger in your home for a long period of time, and in some cases permanently. In addition, the smoke particles can irritate your lungs and cause health problems if not cleaned up properly.
Respiratory issues are very much associated with improperly treated smoke damage. Knowing which areas of your home have been damaged by smoke can very difficult. This is due to smoke particles being very fine, which can be invisible to the naked eye. With every breath you take, you may be inhaling soot and smoke particles. They contain toxic elements that can severely damage your lungs. You may notice that you are coughing or wheezing for no particular reason. Smoke exposure has even been linked to lung disease and other chronic lung conditions.
Eye irritation can also be a result of smoke exposure. Fine smoke particles can cause your eyes to feel a burning sensation. In some extreme cases, the eyes can swell and it can affect your vision. Seek medical attention if this occurs.
Flood Damage
Floods can cause extensive damage to your home. They not only have the ability to saturate and destroy your home and its contents but also threaten it with secondary damages such as mold damage. Once the water is gone, you may assume that moping and drying are sufficient enough to keep damage at bay but depending on the extent of the damage your home may need more than that. A professional restoration company is able to accurately assess the damage and create the most efficient mitigation plan to turn your house into a home again. Quickly addressing water damage greatly reduces secondary damage from occurring.
Water damage left unaddressed may cause mold damage which can occur in less than 48 hours after water infiltration. Drywall and flooring are particularly susceptible to water damage due to their porous materials. A professional restoration company can make sure that all building materials in your home are properly cleaned thoroughly and efficiently to minimize how much of your property need to be discarded or replaced.
Mold is silent and oftentimes rears its ugly head after flooding. If all of the moisture is not removed completely, mold can easily develop, multiply, and infest your home. As it grows, it releases spores into the air that can be inhaled by the occupants of the house. These spores can cause serious health problems, especially for those who already have respiratory issues such as asthma. People with allergies, infants, and children are especially at risk of being harmed by mold as well. Every inch of the flooded area must be properly dried and sanitized so that mold is not allowed to prosper.
Safety
Whether you have experienced damage from fire, flood, or another natural disaster, safety should always be the number one concern. If you have not had a professional assess the damage to your home, there could be a ticking time bomb just waiting to cause havoc in your home. It might be that your floor has been weakened during flooding and it could collapse at any moment. Not to mention the damaging effect on your health associated with mold or smoke exposure. After a storm, your roof may be left vulnerable and a quick repair might be all that you need to avoid extreme and costly damages. Having your home properly cleaned and restored by a professional will help keep you and your family safe.
Having your home damaged by a natural disaster or a fire is upsetting and stressful enough. It can be hard to think of spending money on repairs and restoration when you think that you may be able to do it yourself. However, the money should be considered an investment. You are investing in the health and safety of yourself and your family, the structural integrity of your home, and the contents within. If you have been affected by a disaster, call a professional today to get your home restored quickly.