Everything You Need to Know About the Fire Damage Restoration Process

House fires are traumatic experiences. In the aftermath, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed about what happens next.

Your priority is, of course, ensuring that everyone is safe at the scene. But once the smoke settles, and everyone is accounted for, the next step begins – the cleanup process. Fire damage cleanup can be challenging, depending on the extent of the damage. However, that’s where our fire damage restoration experts can help.

If you need advice on restoration after fire damage, contact the United Water Restoration Group. We’ll be glad to arrange a visit from our team. In the meantime, though, here’s a rundown of what you might expect from the restoration process.

 

What Is Fire Restoration?

You might be wondering if it’s even possible to restore your home after a fire. The good news is that, in most cases, the answer is yes. It all comes down to the fire restoration process. Fire restoration is, simply, repairing and rebuilding a property after a fire. This could mean:

• Removing structures too damaged to retain
• Repairing building structures which are salvageable
• Cleaning and removing fire and smoke damage

The goal is to prevent further damage while ensuring that the property is safe to use again.

How common is fire restoration? Well, considering that there’s a property fire roughly once a minute in the US, it’s very common. So, it’s important to know what to expect if the worst happens and you’re face with a home fire.

• Fire restoration can be quick. This is the case if there’s only very minor damage. However, it’s often a process to be completed in stages.
• You should never enter a property unless cleared by the fire department that it’s safe to enter.
• Experts can give you an estimated timeline to completion, and accurate quote, after an initial site visit.

Let’s now break down how to prepare for restoration, and what to expect from the process.

Readying Your Home for the Fire Damage Experts

While it’s generally wise to leave almost all the fire restoration to the pros, there are two things you should do before they arrive.

First, photograph the damage in its entirety. This will be useful for your insurance company. If it’s unsafe to enter your home, however, you can hold off on this step and instead work with your local fire restoration company to record the extent of the destruction to your home under safer conditions.

The second thing you should do — again, only if it’s safe to enter the premises — is remove any furniture that wasn’t affected by the blaze and let it air out.

Smoke sticks around. A couch that escapes a fire unscathed, for example, can quickly take on smoke odors that will require professional equipment to remove. You can reduce the overall cost of your fire restoration by taking these simple steps.

We can’t stress enough how important it is, though, to only enter the property if it’s safe. Smoke inhalation, even at low levels, poses a health threat. Don’t take risks. Leave the job to the experts at United Water Restoration Group if you have any doubts at all.

Initial Damage Assessment

Once your local fire restoration company arrives on the scene, its first step will be to assess the situation. Technicians will likely examine the following:

• To what degree fire impacted your home’s essential structure
• The amount of soot and smoke damage to walls and other surfaces
• Signs of heat damage to your home’s fixtures, furniture, and walls

After examining the premises, the restoration team will draw up a plan of attack and provide you with an estimate for the job’s cost. They should also be able to give you an idea of the project’s timetable.

Tarps and Boards

Before cleanup can begin, it’s imperative that your home is safe, structurally sound, and sealed off from both the elements and ill-intentioned people. If your home’s windows, doors, or roof were damaged — either by the fire itself or by fire-associated events such as a burst pipe or a fallen beam — those cracks, breaks, and holes will be sealed up or otherwise covered to prevent the rest of your home from suffering additional harm.

Water Curtailment, Removal, and Drying (As Needed)

Water damage is often a side effect of a residential fire. Fortunately, most fire damage experts are also water damage experts. Before starting the cleanup process, professionals will stop the flow of water and remove excess water from your home. Then they will clean, sanitize, and thoroughly dry the premises using fans and dehumidifiers to prevent mold.

Cleanup

It takes more than elbow grease to clean soot and smoke out of most materials. Fire damage can dig deep below the surface, thereby requiring the resources of a trained restoration team. Once the professional cleaning process begins, it will likely involve a variety of cleaning methods focused on several areas of your home:

• Soot and smoke will be removed from all affected surfaces, such as walls and ceilings, using special equipment.
• Lingering smoke odors will be eradicated using fogging gear and industrial-strength air scrubbers, both in the affected rooms, as well as nearby rooms if necessary.
• Carpets may be cleaned.
• Items that cannot be repaired, such as furniture or rugs, will be removed and properly disposed of on your behalf.

Should You Throw Everything Away After a Fire?

You may be wondering if it’s best to simply throw items away after a fire. While you can do this, expert fire damage cleanup teams can often salvage more property than you might think.

Our team will always advise you if we think it’s best to dispose of an item. We will safely dispose of items deemed too damage or unsafe to keep.

Repairs and Renovations

Once your home is clean and the items that couldn’t be salvaged have been removed, you can expect your restoration company to begin repairs. Some will be small, such as hanging new drywall or repainting a room. Others may be larger, such as reconstructing a staircase. The goal is to return your home to as close to its pre-fire state as possible by fixing damaged areas.

There may be some items that can’t be fixed, such as your kitchen cabinets and island for example. In these instances, you can work with the restoration team to renovate the area and replace damaged items.

Reliable Fire Damages Restoration Services | United Water Restoration Group

We know how distressing a fire can be. You have many decisions to make, and your whole life may be turned upside-down. Let us take a weight off your mind – don’t look any further for a fire damage cleanup team. Instead, simply give us a call.

Our team will restore your home to its pre-fire condition as quickly and safely as possible. Whether it’s an initial assessment, or completing the smoke damage restoration process, we work methodically to get the job done. To arrange a visit, or to discuss our services, call now or complete our online form.

We’re on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reach out whenever you need us.