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There is a difference between repairing something and repairing it properly. If you come across a situation you don't know how to fix, then you need to call the experts. There are repair professionals who specialize in everything from ovens to roofs. Knowing how to select and hire the right one is half the battle. That's one topic you will find explained here on this website. We've also collected various other articles on repairs and restoration. We don't expect you will be an expert on the topic by the time you finish reading, but we do think you'll be better informed and more able to hire the right expert.

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Five Places That Can Harbor Hidden Fire Damage

by Clara Nichols

Even a small fire can lead to major fire and smoke damage in your home. Often, the damages are immediately obvious, and you may not think you need any major restoration or cleaning services. Unfortunately, fire damage isn't always readily visible. The following are five places where you may have hidden fire damage.

1. Ventilation Systems

Ash and soot easily make their way into the ventilation system of your home through the ducts and vents. Thoroughly cleaning your ducts and HVAC system is the only way to remove this soot. Otherwise, you will simply recirculate the debris through your house each time you run the AC or furnace. Worse, the soot will be forced through the vents to float in the air, increasing the chances of inhaling the dangerous compounds in the residue.

2. Electrical Wiring

If a fire occurred in a wall or affected any of the electrical components in your home, then there could be damage to other parts of the electric system. It's a good idea to have the wiring inspected in the room where the fire occurred, even if the electrical systems in the room were not the direct cause of the fire, to ensure that no wiring was damaged. Further, have your circuit box inspected as well to make sure there were no power surges during the fire that affected the rest of the systems in your home.

3. Plumbing Pipes

Plumbing may not seem like something a small fire would damage, but leaks often occur after a fire breaks out nearby. Flames can melt plastic piping or cause pipes to contract and break the seal at a joint. Then, a small leak occurs that slowly leads to hidden water damage. If a fire broke out near any plumbing, then make sure the pipes are checked during the restoration process.

4. Attics and Crawlspaces

Smoke can work its way into your attic or through the floorboards and into a crawlspace. Then, the smoke odor persists for months or years. Make sure your restoration contractors thoroughly clean both the attic and crawlspaces to ensure that no soot remains.

5. Inside the Walls

The visible surface of your walls may appear undamaged or easily fixable with a coat of paint, but if smoke made its way behind the wallboard, then you will dealing with the odor for years. Further, any moisture from putting out the fire can lead to mold behind the wallboards. A restoration crew can spot which walls have damage and replace the wallboards as necessary.

Contact a fire damage restoration service for more help.

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