Fire damage extends beyond what is immediately visible. Hidden damages, primarily caused by smoke/soot and water, can be challenging to identify. Understanding these additional impacts on your property and how to address them is crucial for receiving appropriate compensation for your claim.
Smoke/Soot Damage
Smoke/soot damage is a significant hidden consequence of fire loss. Indicators of smoke/soot damage include:
- Persistent odors
- Stains on fabric and upholstery
- Discoloration of paint
- Rust, pitting, and corrosion on metal items such as piping and jewelry
- Damage to flooring
Addressing smoke and soot damage promptly is essential. This is not a situation for a DIY approach to save on restoration costs. Your insurance policy should cover the expense of hiring a professional to remove smoke and soot damage from your home. Failure to adequately address smoke/soot damage can lead to long-term health and property issues.
Exposure to smoke/soot during restoration can occur through the skin and eyes, inhalation, and ingestion. Invisible airborne soot particles can unknowingly affect you. Once soot enters your bloodstream, it can lead to respiratory issues, shortness of breath, bronchitis, asthma, stroke, heart attack, cancer, and even premature death. Even short-term exposure to soot can have lifelong health consequences for infants.
Soot can linger on surfaces and infiltrate your electronics, appliances, and other property, contributing significantly to property damage after a fire. The longer it remains, the harder it is to remove. Therefore, hiring a professional cleaning service as soon as possible is crucial.
Water Damage
Before addressing the fire damage caused by smoke/soot, you must first deal with water damage. While it’s a relief when firefighters extinguish the fire, the water used can cause significant structural issues, damage to your electronics, appliances, furniture, important documents, and if not remedied quickly, dangerous mold can grow.
Black mold releases spores into the air that can cause nausea, headaches, and severe respiratory problems. Children, the elderly, and people with deficient immune systems are particularly susceptible. Pets can also suffer health problems associated with black mold. Addressing water damage promptly is crucial to prevent hazardous mold growth and to move on to addressing the rest of the damage. Homeowners cannot realistically handle this on their own.
The only viable solution is to hire a professional emergency restoration service. Most homeowners insurance policies cover the cost to remediate mold when it’s the result of a covered cause of loss.
The Role of Public Adjusters
Even when traumatized by a house fire, many insured individuals find comfort in knowing they’re covered. However, your insurance company won’t simply cut a check; you must prove the damage you’re claiming, including the critical but often hidden damage caused by smoke, soot, and water. Public adjusters like Trusted Public Adjusters can assist you throughout the process to ensure your claim is handled correctly and completely.