Fire damage in your home goes much beyond what is immediately visible. Most of the damage that can affect your health will be invisible or hidden. Know about these hidden dangers so you can plan your fire restoration to tackle them. 

Soot

Soot is more than ash or scorch marks. This oily, ashy residue is composed of carbon and glass-like particulates that can cause major damage to your lungs if you breathe it in. It can also irritate your eyes, nose, and even your skin if you come in contact with it. Although soot can be quite visible, sometimes the smaller particulates left behind following a fire are not as visible to the naked eye.

Soot doesn't just collect on surfaces, it also gets into carpets, upholstery, clothing, and drapes. It can get into other parts of the home that were unaffected by the fire by traveling through vents or HVAC systems, so your entire home will need to be inspected and treated for soot damage.

Mold

Mold can be an after effect of extinguishing the fire. Even a small fire can require the use of a lot of water to ensure it is safely extinguished. This moisture can penetrate walls, ceilings, flooring, and furniture. In the case of kitchen fires, moisture often gets into and behind cabinetry, even in areas that weren't specifically targeted by the fire suppression efforts.

If the moisture isn't promptly dried out, mold spores in the air begin to settle and grow on the damp surfaces. Often, the site of this growth isn't easily seen. It can be inside the walls, beneath carpeting, or in the subfloor underneath tile or cabinets. You may only realize there is a problem some months later when musty odors and accompanying respiratory issues begin to affect your family.

Fumes

Homes are filled with many items that are harmless until fire and heat releases the chemical fumes within. Plastic is the main culprit, but paint, flooring, and and other seemingly safe items can release fumes during a fire. These fumes and the residue they produce can settle throughout the house, especially if the fumes travel through ventilation systems.

Some of the chemicals released in these fumes cause respiratory issues, while others can irritate the skin. Since the fumes and their residue is invisible, they can be anywhere following a fire. This is why proper cleanup and restoration is one of the most important tasks following even a small house fire.

Contact a fire damage restoration service immediately following a fire so that you can once again be healthy in your home.