How Books and Papers are Impacted by Fire Damage

3/13/2025 (Permalink)

Fire damage can leave lasting effects in your home if not properly dealt with. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for a remediation plan for you.

Restoring Fire-Affected Documents and Books for Peterborough Residents

Structural damage is usually the first concern when a fire occurs, but the loss of essential documents and beloved books can be just as devastating. In Peterborough, fire and smoke damage can leave paper materials fragile, stained, or illegible. Soot, smoke, and water from firefighting efforts often worsen the situation.

Our highly skilled restoration professionals at SERVPRO® are equipped with IICRC-compliant, specialized techniques and equipment. We are dedicated to recovering and preserving fire-damaged books and documents for Peterborough homeowners alongside structural materials, furnishings, and other critical and cherished items.

How Fire Damage Affects Documents and Books 

Fire and smoke can cause significant harm to paper materials, often making restoration a challenge. Fire damage to documents and books can result in:

• Particles clinging to paper fibers and cause permanent discoloration. 
• Excess moisture after firefighting damages paper and adhesives, leading to warping, ink bleeding, and mold growth. 
• High temperatures can curl, char, or weaken paper until it is brittle. 
• Paper and bookbinding materials absorb smoke odors. 

SERVPRO's Approach to Fire-Damaged Document Restoration 

SERVPRO of Hollis, Peterborough, and Weare provides comprehensive fire cleanup services, including advanced document recovery techniques, such as:

• If firefighting efforts have left documents water-damaged, SERVPRO uses vacuum freeze-drying and desiccant drying techniques to stabilize the paper and prevent further deterioration. 
• Gentle particulate removal using HEPA vacuuming and specialized chemical sponges helps lift soot without causing additional damage. 
• Ozone or hydroxyl treatments effectively eliminate smoke odors from paper materials. 
• SERVPRO's digital inventory system allows for scanning, photography, video, and secure archiving of documents, ensuring critical information is preserved. 
• SERVPRO transports damaged books and documents to a restoration facility equipped with controlled environments for cleaning and drying. 

We are committed to restoring your documents and books to their pre-fire condition, and if you need fire damage restoration services, rest assured that our crew at SERVPRO of Hollis, Peterborough, and Weare is here for you. Contact us at (603) 256-9559. We're Faster to any size disaster™ and stand ready to help.