Hidden Smoke Damage following a Fire in a Residential or Commercial Building

Even a small fire in a home or business can leave behind lasting effects that may not be readily evident to most people.  Clearly damaged parts of a property will need to be repaired, but don’t underestimate the damage from smoke residues that can take place far from the actual flames.

Smoke and soot from a minor fire can spread widely throughout a property.  There are four types of smoke commonly associated with structural fires, they include:

·       Wet Smoke

·       Dry Smoke

·       Protein Smoke

·       Petroleum Smoke

“Each of these types of smoke are dependent upon factors such as the speed and temperature of the fire and what materials were consumed by the flames,” said Tom Allen from Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “They can cause discoloration, etching and pitting of material surfaces.  Smoke residues can also leave behind unpleasant odors and particulates that can act as irritants.  One area that few people think about following a fire is the impact of smoke and soot on all the electronics found indoors.  While most people recognize that extreme heat from a fire can damage electronics and wiring, so too can the presence of smoke residues on circuit boards.  Even small amounts of smoke residue can short out circuits that today are found in almost every device in a home or office that is plugged into the wall.” 

No matter how large or small a fire is, policyholders with property damage claims need to be aware of both the obvious and the hidden damages that may be present.  The insurance claims professionals at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters help property owners and managers identify all possible damages so that insurance providers have a true scope of the cost to repair a property.  This ensures that policy holders are treated fairly by the insurance companies and that their claims are comprehensively settled so that all damages and loses covered by the policy are addressed.