7 Steps To Fire Damage Recovery

Fire. It is a terrifying disaster, and when it occurs in your home, the results can be devastating. However, don’t lose hope. While the damage might look irreparable, some businesses specialize in restoration, meaning that despite its current condition, someone out there can make it so you can go home again. Although, fire damage recovery is not an easy process, and it is one that might take a while, depending on the current condition of your home. However, the process toward recovery is uniquely similar across the board, and it typically includes some variation of these seven steps.

1.) Phone Calls

While contacting your insurance provider and searching for a restoration company might be the furthest thing from your mind after experiencing a fire disaster, it is a pivotal part of the fire damage recovery process. See, while your insurer can provide coverage for the damage that occurred, they will also expect you to mitigate any further loss by securing your property, which is what a mitigation and restoration response team will do. Therefore, as hard as it might be after a fire, you need to pull yourself together and make at least those two phone calls.

2) Inspection and Assessment

Most reputable restoration groups, after receiving your call, will be on location in a matter of 15 minutes. Once there, they will inspect the property, looking for any significant structural issues, and assessing the extent of the damage. After touring your home, they will approach you with their notes and explain the scope of the work ahead. At this point, they will likely discuss their rough estimates and ask you questions about your insurance. Most companies, when hired, will take the helm, keeping you informed and dealing with the back-and-forth dance with your insurer.

3.) Mitigation of Further Damage

When you settle on a fire damage recovery company, their priority will be mitigating further losses to protect your insurance claim. Mitigation typically includes several steps, depending on the severity of the damage. First, the company will tarp over any large holes in your roof-line to prevent damage from the weather. Second, they will board up broken windows, exterior doors, and any holes on the vertical structure of your home, preventing unwelcome critters and people. Third, the company might find it necessary to put up a temporary fence around your property to further prevent uninvited visitors. Last, in extreme situations, where your property is especially vulnerable to looters or transients, the restoration group might suggest the use of a security guard or cameras.

4.) Drying Out the Property

After your property is secure and protected against any more damage, the restoration company will begin drying out your home. While it might seem odd, fires can lead to significant in-home flooding from the fire hoses or even burst pipes. Therefore, the team you have hired will get to work evacuating any excess water. They will typically use shop vacs and pumps in heavily flooded areas. Once the water is removed, fans and air movers will be set up to dry out the property further.

5.) Soot and Smoke Removal

Next, once your home is dry, the team will begin the work of removing soot and smoke from walls, counters, ceilings, and floors. However, the cleaning doesn’t stop with just these surfaces; the team will also focus on your HVAC system and any other nooks and crannies. Also, they might recommend replacing any appliances that show signs of high-level contamination, as chemicals in soot and smoke residue can be dangerous. To ensure a deep and thorough clean, the restoration group will use specialized techniques and equipment designed for soot and smoke removal.

6.) Deep Clean

After removing all the soot and smoke residue from your home, the group will clean and sanitize the space. This deep clean will focus on restoring belongings to a pre-fire condition and removing any residual odors, which means the process will probably be repeated several times to ensure cleanliness.

7.) Restoration

Once everything is clean and restored to the pre-fire condition, the team will begin the actual restoration. It is through this process that you will finally see your home again.

Fires are devastating, and the recovery process is challenging. Therefore, it is necessary to bring in teams like the United Water Restoration Group to ensure the work is completed in a timely and responsible manner.

Check out our video below for more answers to your Fire Damage Restoration questions.

We are available 24/7/365 for all of your unexpected emergencies at your home or business – 1-800-430-5838