Before

After

Our Trusted Team Helped this Fire-Damaged Ft. Lauderdale Home

Fires can be a devastating force, especially when they affect multiple areas of the house simultaneously. This Ft Lauderdale home experienced a rapidly spreading fire loss event originating in the attic from faulty wiring that overwhelmed this crawlspace and ruined the ceiling and entire room underneath it. As the priority was the safety of the occupants and extinguishing the fire, considerable damage also existed by the extinguishment process. We got the mitigation process started right away with the fast response of our experienced SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale South fire restorers.

With the family displaced from home, there was a definite urgency to getting things back to normal. As trained professionals in fire and water restoration, we quickly identified where the most pressing needs existed. Creating a safe environment for the working professionals was prioritized and required several HEPA air scrubber machines and hydroxyl generators. The hydroxyl machines utilized UV cleaning to begin the tedious deodorization process while onboard HEPA membrane filters trapped carcinogenic particles and aerosolized solids.

Controlled demolition was necessary for this recovery scenario, as you can see in the Before Photo. Much of the ceiling system connecting the attic to the living room below completely collapsed. Removing all of the ceiling and wall system drywall and insulation exposed damp or smoke-damaged framing. Eliminating this debris would help to reduce the circulating soot and strength of post-fire odors. Starting from this framework would reduce the amount of time required for deodorization and surface cleaning where replacement was deemed more cost-efficient.

Drying the property was necessary where firefighters and first responders applied extinguishment efforts. Axial and centrifugal air movers addressed surface moisture for skillfully placed dehumidifiers to collect. Damp, porous materials like the drywall you can see in the After Photo were fully dried and cleaned. Roof joists and supports for the attic and ceiling materials were treated with mold-inhibiting primers. This product provides an added layer of protection against secondary effects like microbial development possible in post-disaster scenarios where warmth and moisture could be consistent threats.

While the After Photo is in the process of the restoration and repairs that this house required, our SERVPRO of Ft Lauderdale South professionals followed this stage with full reconstruction and build back. Multiple rooms were impacted by the spreading smoke damage and smoldering fire, so construction would begin in the attic and work down through the living room and adjoining spaces.

When the process was complete, the homeowners could return to their Ft Lauderdale residence that was rebuilt, restored, and deodorized. By choosing SERVPRO for these disaster recovery needs, these homeowners were provided with skilled professionals and management to assess the damage and overcome the multiple threats to the structure that DIY restoration cannot address.