What Happens to Your Building in a Partial Loss After a Fire

12/29/2019 (Permalink)

Partial fire loss on a roof in a building

Structure fires come in all sizes. They can inflict damages in wide ranges as well. Even if a fire doesn't appear to cause visible problems, there could be hidden issues in your Greenlake ,WA, building. While a total loss insurance claim would mean the complete destruction of your office, a partial loss is also common. A fire loss can be difficult to detect on your own. It's important to let a professional inspect the entire area for problems.

Where Issues Can Hide

Some types of smoke damage are easy to spot. Soot and ash can cover floors, furniture, electronics and documents. However, when there is partial loss in the building, the problems will show up in some of the following areas:

• Air ducts in the heating and air conditioning system
  
• Roof integrity
  
• Inside walls
  
• Window frames
  
  

Inspecting the Roof

A certified professional will check for smoke, fire and water damage on the roof. Shingles or outside layers may appear fine, but the wood underneath can be wet due to water the firefighters put down to extinguish the fire. This can lead to mold growth. Excess heat from the fire may even make the roof weak and may be at risk of collapsing.

Air System

The need for fire restoration may not be evident in some areas of your building. Professional smoke and fire cleanup teams will inspect the ventilation system in the facility for soot buildup. Left undetected, this could compromise the air quality in the office.

Looking at the Siding

Regardless of the type of your building's exterior, a partial loss can affect this area as well. Aluminum siding can melt under extreme heat, and stucco can crack. The building's foundation is prone to damage too.
A fire loss can affect many parts of your workplace. Even if you don't easily spot problematic areas, you should call a professional to look for damage.