Even though the materials used for building plaster walls are non-combustible, they can still suffer a lot of damage when a house fire breaks out. This is mostly because the underlying materials of the wall, such as wood structures, are combustible and can easily be set ablaze. The plaster wall materials can also become damaged in high-heat situations. You are very likely to see chipping, peeling, or bubbling paint on your walls; they can be all stained, or they can even become warped and cracked.
If your home caught fire and your walls sustained some damage, then it is best to reach out to professionals. Let’s take a look at some expert advice on the best ways to restore plaster walls that have been damaged by fire.
Get a Damage Report
The first thing you will need to do is get a wall expert to come and assess the extent of the damage. Wall repair contractors will need to check the structural integrity of your walls. They will tap all over the wall to identify hollow areas where plaster might have detached on the inside, or they will check for weakened areas where the inner structure of the wall might have caught fire.
Your wall repair contractor will also inspect the wall exterior for deep cracks, wrapping, or other forms of damage. This initial report is very important because it will give you a good idea of the extent of the damage is. The report can also help you seek out compensation from your insurance company.
Clearing Out Contaminants and Damaged Areas
When the wall restoration team arrives, they will start by removing any contaminants in and around the wall. Any parts of the wall that are particularly damaged will also be torn out and cleared away.
If the wall damage is extensive, it might be necessary to replace some parts of your wall. If the damage isn’t as extensive, then the surface might simply be restored and refinished. The walls will also need to be properly washed using a dry chemical sponge. These sponges will wipe away surface soot. Once dry brushed, the area should be properly washed.
Drying Out Walls to Prevent Mould
Plaster walls are quite vulnerable to water and could have sustained water damage when the fire was extinguished. It is also important for the walling company to properly dry out the entire wall interior and exterior so mould growth can be prevented. Any leftover traces of moisture could cause issues long after the wall has been patched up.
Repairing Damaged Plaster
When all damaged parts have been cleared away and the remaining wall structure has been properly dried, the drywall experts will get to work on restorations. First, the restoration team will focus on larger repairs. If the wood structure is damaged, this will be cleared away and replaced. After removing and restoring large issues, it will be time to target some of the smaller issues.
In many cases, the wall paint will need to be sanded and scraped because the intense heat from the fire likely caused some bubbling. Loose plaster will also need to be removed, and a bonding agent should be applied between the new and old plaster layers. Gaps, cracks, and chips will need to be filled out and smoothed. Once all the repairs have been done, the entire wall needs to be properly sanded for a smooth finish.
Priming and Painting to Conceal Flaws
To fully conceal the smoke stains, the entire wall will need to be repainted. Before this, the wall is primed. This primer will create a secure bond between the paint and the wall and will eliminate some of the smoke odours.
Finally, the wall will need to be painted. It is usually best to focus on fire-resistant paint. This type of coating will make your wall more fire resistant.
Get Professionals for Full Property Restoration
If your plaster walls sustained damage after a fire, then the best thing you can do is call We Fix Walls. Our company specialises in everything wall related. We can help you create a damage report for your insurance company and can assist with the full restoration of your walls.
