Addressing Chimney Fire Damage in Mt. Airy

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

We know how serious a chimney fire can be, for your Mt. Airy home call SERVPRO. We don’t want Santa to get covered in too much soot!!!

Let SERVPRO be the professionals addressing your Mt. Airy fire damage.

According to the NFPA, $25.6 billion worth of property damage occurred as a result of fires in 2018, which includes $8 billion in property loss due to home fires. The sources of these fires can vary, and one source that requires special attention is in the fireplace and chimney. A fire that burns too hot in this part of the home can cause damage to the chimney, as well as creosote buildup, which can aggravate problems.

If your Mt. Airy home suffers fire damage due to a fireplace or chimney-related disaster, IICRC-certified SERVPRO technicians are ready to mitigate damage and odors to return your home to a preloss condition. No matter the size of the disaster, SERVPRO professionals can mitigate both short and long-term damages while minimizing the need for costly replacement of possessions, furniture, and other materials.

Warning Signs for Chimney Fires

Homeowners should keep an eye out for these telltale signs that their chimney may put them at risk for a fire:

A damaged rain cap or damper. The immense heat from a chimney fire is likely more than your chimney cap or damper can reliably handle. As a result, warping and discoloration are typical and can increase the likelihood of a chimney fire. 

Puffy residues. Creosote, a dark, oily substance that can come from burning resinous woods like pine, leaves deposits that expand and create a puffy residue when it burns. Because chimney fires can be so high in temperature, these deposits can ignite. 

Flue tile damage. Many homeowners likely have clay flue tile liners. While this tile is rated to withstand the high temperatures of a chimney fire, there are limits to what it can take. There are cases where chimney fires can burn at over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much too hot for most flue tiles, and can crack or otherwise damage them. 

How SERVPRO Can Help

Depending on the number of soils and residues in your chimney, technicians have a variety of tools available to address the damage. To tackle more substantial damages, professionals may use Roto pads or brushes to dislodge soils. Creosote deposits may be removed with blast media like baking soda, ground corn cobs, or sand. The lighter fare can be addressed with cleaning tools like dry cleaning sponges, dusting cloths, and other dry or wet cleaning techniques.

SERVPRO of Frederick County has a team that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. For disaster cleanup that you can count on, call (301) 662-1747 today.

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