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Fire Damage: The Critical Importance of Immediate Response

Experienced adjusters and restoration contractors know immediate response is critically important to controlling the severity of a fire loss. For those with a little less time on the firing line, this article discusses a number of the reasons why. 

Psychological Damage

The insured expects immediate response in their time of need, but few insurance companies are able to have an adjuster on-site in 1-2 hours from the time the loss is reported. Often, several days elapse. During this delay, the insured is highly vulnerable to bad advice from uninformed neighbors, public adjusters, unscrupulous contractors, and others with their own agenda. Ethical restoration specialists allay unreasonable fears and help the insured adjust quickly to the reality of their situation.

Decreasing Safety Hazards Through Risk Management

After a fire loss, structures can be highly hazardous locations, especially since most people are unaware of the types of risks and how to mitigate them. Restoration specialists can quickly reduce the level of risk.

Odor Penetration

Odor sources, such as charred materials in the structure continue to offgas until they have been dealt with properly. The longer porous materials are exposed to odor, the more is absorbed and the more difficult and costly it becomes to remove.

The Ongoing Effect of Contamination

Smoke residue contains large amounts of sulfur and nitrogen oxides. When mixed with humidity in the air, they form sulfuric and nitric acids. Along with the large amounts of soot also in smoke residue, these acids will, over time, yellow, etch, stain or degrade almost all surfaces in the structure. The hotter, "wetter" and longer the fire burns, the more quickly these effects will appear. Shiny and light - colored surfaces show damage more quickly.

WITHIN MINUTES

• Plastics discolor (Tupperware®, small appliances, switch plates) 
• Paper discolors (books, documents) 
• Limestone, marble, alabaster stain 

WITHIN HOURS

• Grout stains 
• Furniture and cabinet finishes begin to turn yellow 
• Appliances discolor permanently (especially where they extend above the heat line) 
• Fiberglass plumbing fixtures yellow 
• Metal begins to tarnish or rust (silver, chrome, steel) 
• Counter tops and appliances discolor, especially where contrasted with areas protected during the fire 

WITHIN DAYS

• Most metals develop severe rust, corrosion or pitting (even aluminum window frames) 
• Wallpaper discolors permanently, requiring replacement 
• Clothing soot stains permanently, especially synthetic fibers 
• Vinyl and wood flooring requires refinishing or replacement 
• Paints yellow or discolor permanently 
• Carpet, upholstery and drapery fibers become permanently soot stained or yellowed 

WITHIN WEEKS

• Glass, china and crystal require replacement due to etching and pitting 
• Window glass and mirrors etch and pit 

With proper Emergency Services procedures, further damage can be stopped in its tracks. Waiting until all decisions are finalized before authorizing any work to begin usually results in drastically increasing the cost of the claim.