Fire Damage on Different Materials

10/25/2019 (Permalink)

This home, made mostly of wood, was made of materials that made the spread of fire easier.

Within the years of 2007 and 2011, lightning strikes resulted in $451 million in property damage. There are several causes of fire damage, but the sources that are outside of our control are the scariest. While you can monitor your appliances, fireplace, cooking, and other causes of fires, some causes will always be outside of your control. That’s why it’s important to know whatever you can about the effects of fire damage so that no matter what happens, you’re prepared. 

One valuable thing to understand is the potential of damage in your own home. Damage occurs differently on certain materials. It’s common knowledge that fire uses wood as fuel and therefore can spread from wood beam to wood beam, which usually makes up the internal structure of the average home. But what about less flammable materials? A concrete foundation, for example. 

Concrete may not catch on fire, like wood, however it still experiences damage from exposure to high temperatures. The reason for this is the expansion of the material that makes up concrete, which can lead to breakage. Likewise, steel beams do not catch on fire but can bend and sag due to exposure to high temperatures. This means that while these materials may not contribute to the spreading of a fire, they can be affected by a fire and in certain circumstances need replacement.

The only absolute answer to how a fire has damaged a home is to get a fire damage assessment. Fire damaged wood and fire damaged concrete may require different restoration processes, but nonetheless you can go to one company for all fire damage restoration needs. SERVPRO of East Dayton is one of those companies, and they can use their fire restoration knowledge to assess any material that has been affected by a fire.