The Relationship Between Water and Fire Damage

7/12/2020 (Permalink)

Water and fire damage in a Mount Prospect, IL building

Ways a Fire Can Lead to Water Damage

If you’re worried about a fire at your Mount Prospect, IL, place of business then you may make plans for a restoration in case of emergency. But did you know you may also want to plan for a water cleanup as well as a fire cleanup? There are a few ways a fire can lead to water damage. Here are three of the most common.

1. Fire Sprinklers

Fire sprinklers are an important system for protecting your business, however, they can also cause some water damage. Sprinklers are designed to release the suppressant directly over the flame to put it out, but the water may still pool in the affected area and can cause some additional problems if not quickly cleaned up. This can be a problem for areas already weakened by the fire.

2. Fire Hose

A fire hose can lead to a water cleanup since this important fire suppression tool has the ability to pump out between 200 and 800 gallons per minute depending on its size. This can cause flooding which if not quickly cleaned up may further damage the space. Fortunately, many restoration services are trained to handle water damage as well, and may already expect to need to perform a flood cleanup.

3. Weather

Weather can play a factor in causing water damage after a fire when the fire has caused structural damage that leaves gaps to the outside. This usually occurs in the roof or around windows. These gaps leave a space where rain or snow can get in. Your Local fire damage restoration service may offer tarping services in additions to smoke cleanup.

Planning for water cleanup can be important as water damage can occur in a number of ways. Fire suppression efforts such as sprinklers of a fire hose can lead to flooding. Additionally, if the fire has caused any structural damage such as in the roof, then rain or snow may get in and cause water problems as well.