Fire is one of the most terrifying events you can experience, whether in your home or your place of business. Fire damage restoration services are designed to help you recover after a fire.
Fire restoration includes cleaning up the mess left by the fire and restoring your personal belongings. This process is often complex and lengthy. Click Here to learn more.
Every year, fires cause a large number of property damage incidents. While not all are catastrophic blazes that burn structures to the ground, even relatively minor house fires can lead to extensive damage. These types of disasters create a wide range of problems, including smoke and water damage, soot, and other debris. Fire damage restoration companies often use a process called fire remediation to restore damaged properties back to normal.
The first step in the process involves assessing the fire damage. Fire damage assessment experts look at both the superficial damage as well as the underlying issues that might lead to future problems. They look for the following types of damage:
The fire that caused the damage might have weakened or destroyed structural elements. If the damage was significant, the expert might need to do a detailed inspection to identify such issues. The professional might also use specialized tools to determine whether the structure is safe or not.
The act of putting out the fire may have caused additional water damage to parts of the property. This might involve water used by firefighters as well as any water that got into or on the building or its contents. Water might also wet insulation in the attic and lead to rot or mold growth later on.
After the inspection, the professionals can start the cleanup and repair work. They might need to board up or seal the premises, which is essential for ensuring that no one unauthorized can access the site later on. In addition, the technicians will need to clean and deodorize any affected areas.
The experts will also work on restoring any items that can be salvaged. They will consider cost, condition, and sentimental value when determining which items to restore and which ones to replace. They will keep a list of items that have been lost, which will be helpful when filing an insurance claim to cover the costs of replacements. In addition, they will document the work they do to ensure that the insurer compensates them fairly for their time and effort.
When the fire is out, the first thing to do is assess the damage. This includes looking for both obvious signs of smoke damage (like streaking and discoloration) and less obvious signs, such as a smoky smell or sticky residue on surfaces like wallpaper and paint. Also, pay attention to ceilings, since smoke can linger in porous materials that are not immediately visible.
Once you know the extent of the damage, it’s time to start cleaning up. This may involve anything from securing windows and board-uping doors to disposing of charred debris, odor removal, contents restoration, and working to remove disturbed hazards like lead or asbestos. The best way to get a handle on the scope of your cleanup is to work with a professional fire restoration company. They’ll help you with the insurance claims process, making it easier to get the funds necessary to restore your home and possessions.
When sorting through belongings to salvage, remember that even items that didn’t burn up might be ruined by smoke and the water used to put out the flames. For example, a fire might have melted linoleum or carpeting, and washing such items can deepen the damage. Also, laundering smoke-damaged clothing can leave behind unwanted odors. For this reason, it’s important to pursue specialty dry-cleaning services for these types of fabrics.
While sifting through your belongings, be sure to document any that are lost or unsalvageable, including their physical appearance, so that you can file an insurance claim for replacement. This will allow you to purchase new items and move on with your life, and it can also prevent you from becoming emotionally attached to items that might be unrecoverable.
If you do decide to do some of the clean-up yourself, be sure to wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved work shirts, work pants, and steel-toe shoes to protect yourself from potential electrical and chemical damage, scratches, and direct exposure to soot. You should also make arrangements to shut off gas tanks and have your home inspected for safety by a professional before going inside.
Often times, after a fire damage restoration, it is necessary to secure the property. This can involve boarding up windows and tarping the roof, depending on the situation. This is important to protect the structure from further damage from vandalism, theft, and inclement weather. It also helps to prevent mold growth, which can be a result of water damage in the aftermath of a fire.
If the building was badly damaged by fire, then securing it will likely involve replacing joists, beams, columns, etc. This is a job best left to professionals who know how to handle such tasks safely.
It is also important to remove any items that have been ruined by smoke and heat, as well as water that was used by firefighters to douse the flames. This can include furniture, clothing, appliances, and any other items that were not saved by fire. In some cases, these items can be salvaged if they are removed quickly enough and put through cleaning and deodorization processes.
Once the property has been secured, it is a good idea to seek out a local disaster relief organization or stay with friends and family until the restoration process is complete. This is especially true if the home was uninhabitable before the fire and any belongings that were not saved were lost.
Depending on your homeowner’s insurance policy, you may be able to receive money to help pay for the costs of food, clothing, and shelter during this time. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the damage to document what was destroyed or lost so that you can get compensation for it. Often times, a fire restoration company can work with your insurance agent to help with the claims process and provide you with more information about what is and is not covered by your policy. In some cases, these companies can even assist with obtaining demolition and building permits if you are planning to rebuild your home. They can also help you find contractors that are qualified to handle a variety of services, including roofing, interior and exterior construction, water removal, mold remediation, and more.
A fire is not only devastating for property owners, it’s also one of the most terrifying experiences a family or business can go through. While some things can be salvaged, others are lost forever. The damage caused by a house fire can leave families with nowhere to live and businesses without any means of operation. However, fire damage restoration professionals can help people get back to normal after a fire.
The fire damage restoration process typically involves three main steps: inspecting the site and recording the extent of the damage, cleaning up, and securing the property. In addition, specialists can repair the structural core of a building, patch roof damage, address pipe repairs, and more.
When a home or business is damaged by fire, the resulting cleanup and rebuilding work must be completed quickly to minimize further damage to the property. This includes drying water used to put out the fire, repairing HVAC ducts and vents, deodorizing fabrics covered in smoke residue and odors, and removing unsalvageable items.
Once the fire damage restoration process is complete, the property can be rebuilt and restored to its previous condition. This may include reconstruction of the structure, remodeling, painting, and installing new drywall and carpeting. The exact timeline for this work varies depending on the size and scope of the project.
Fires can be terrifying and devastating, but with professional fire damage restoration, your home or business will recover and you can move on from this difficult experience. Contact today to learn more about our fire restoration services and how we can help you restore your property after a disaster.