A fire can result in a lot of damage to buildings, causing materials such as metal and wood to deteriorate. However, it does not have to mean the end of a property altogether, as there are ways to bring fire damaged surfaces back to life.
As well as the obvious damage a fire can do to a building, smoke can also lead to a decline in the integrity of the structure.
Thanks to the chemicals in the smoke, as well as the intense heat of the flames, metal fixtures and fittings can corrode at a much faster rate.
It is thought that steel will lose two-thirds of its strength when it reaches 600C, while wooden materials begin to burn instantly on the surface.
However, concrete and brick are pretty resistant to fire, making them ideal materials for buildings.
While brick and concrete will remain standing after the fire has been put out, there will still be some surface damage, including being covered in soot. This leaves behind a black residue and can make them look unsightly.
If there has been a lot of smoke, this can cause the brick to deteriorate over time without being treated, due to the acidic nature of the chemicals in the smoke particles.
It is, therefore, important that brickwork is seen to after being damaged by a fire, to avoid long-lasting degrading.
Experts can remove the soot by sandblasting the brick, which involves jetting abrasive material on to a surface under extremely high pressure. This helps to remove the top layer of contaminants, leaving it clean and smooth.
Therefore, it can remove the soot and other debris left from the fire and smoke, leaving the brickwork looking fresh, new and in a good condition.