Fire sprinkler systems can be lifesavers in the event of a fire by quickly and reliably putting out a fire. They can also reduce the amount of property damage done, thus saving you money and possibly a number of sentimental items as well. But, unfortunately, the same water that puts out the fire and saves lives can cause devastating damage to your home, possibly even more than the smoke and soot.
Fire Sprinkler Systems Can Cause Significant Damage
One problem that occurs with sprinkler systems is that they won’t shut off until someone shuts the valves off. This is typically done by someone from the fire department when they arrive. The sprinkler system will turn on as soon as a fire is detected to try and keep the fire from spreading and limit the property damage. Sprinkler systems generally detect fire when it is fully developed, but they are effective at working in a specific area and keeping the fire from spreading further.
Once the sprinkler system starts, it could discharge as much as forty gallons of water per minute. This means that if the fire department arrives in about five minutes, you may already have as much as two hundred gallons of water in your building. Needless to say, this could cause considerable damage to your building, leading to expensive repairs. Although, sprinkler systems are designed to reduce property damage and will still likely use less water than firefighters.
How To Address Water Damage From Sprinklers
Once the fire is out, and it is safe to re-enter the premises, it is time to deal with the water damage. It is vital to take care of any damage right away to prevent potentially serious structural issues as well as mold problems. The water damage from a sprinkler can affect carpeting, drywall, upholstery, and a number of other building materials. Standing water can also cause health problems in addition to property damage.
The best way to have the damage repaired is to hire a water damage restoration professional. The water in your building after a fire could easily be contaminated, and it is best not to expose yourself, your employees, or your family to this water. Professionals have the equipment necessary to safely and effectively deal with the water and repair any damages.
Steps in the Water Restoration Process
The water restoration process is not very complicated. However, specialized equipment is necessary to effectively remove the water and dry the area. The steps in the water restoration process are listed below.
- Remove furniture and other items from the building. These items need to be removed to avoid any additional damage to them. They should be stored in a safe manner until they can be returned to the building. Some of the items may need to be disposed of if the damage is extensive.
- Remove the water from the building. Water extraction equipment, dehumidifiers, and any other necessary equipment will be brought in to remove any water or moisture from the building.
- Dry the Building. Fans, dehumidifiers, and other equipment is used to thoroughly dry everything in the building. This is essential to keep mold and mildew from developing.
- Restore the Building and Property to the Original Condition. The building and the items will be restored to their original condition when possible. This may require repairs or additional cleaning.
- Return items to the building. All the items that could be saved will be put back in the building.
Contact Us
If your home or business has suffered water damage from a fire sprinkler system, contact Restore Pro. With more than twenty years of experience with water damage restoration, you can trust our IICRC certified team to respond quickly and restore your structure to pre-loss condition. Call us at 1-800-847-0114 and connect with us on Facebook.