What Happens During & After The Fire Damage Restoration Process?

Fire can be one of the most destructive and damaging forces on earth, so when flames sweep through your home or business, it can be a devastating experience. Burned building materials, scorched belongings, and widespread soot and smoke damage can make the thought of repair almost insurmountable. However, calling in a fire damage restoration service and learning about what steps its technicians can take to repair your property may help you feel confident about the future.

Removal of Fire Hose Water and Debris

Once fire safety inspectors deem your property safe to enter, the first step restoration technicians may take is to remove burned debris and standing water from each room. For example, if the fire started in the kitchen, there may be a significant amount of fire hose water present, along with broken or burnt lumber and pieces of ruined furniture. Restoration techs will likely use specialized machinery to remove water, dry the area, and then ensure that all debris is removed from affected rooms. If any water appliances, such as a dishwasher or your refrigerator, were destroyed beyond repair during the fire, they will likely be removed as well so surrounding areas can be inspected.

Prevention of Soot and Mold Damage

While heat and flames can cause a great deal of fire damage during a fire, there are other issues that may result in long-term problems once it is put out. Soot and mold are often common occurrences, but calling in a restoration service like United Water Restoration Group can stop these issues before they start. Soot removal may prevent permanent staining of walls, ceilings, and grout. Restoration specialists may also perform tear-out services in areas where fire-hose water caused flooding. Dampness behind walls might encourage rapid mold growth and cause these long-term problems:

• Musty odors
• Spread of spores to other areas
• Contamination of interior wiring and other materials

If soot or water has impacted any electronics, such as those in a home office or business space, you can ask your technicians if these items can be inspected and whether they need to be repaired or replaced. Corrosion may take place where you cannot see and result in malfunction or pose a danger to anyone who uses an affected device.

Check out the video below for more information about mold damage and what to look for.

Review Fire Damage Restoration Services for Recovered Items

While not all personal items can be rescued from a fire, many that have been damaged may be salvageable and even returned to their original state. Once these items have been set aside, your restoration service technicians will likely go over a list of what they have recovered and what your options are for having them repaired. Furniture, clothing, toys, books, documents and electronic items, such as televisions and tablets, may be included on the list. If you are unfamiliar with most professional fire damage restoration options, it is a good idea to ask questions at this point.

Replacement of Scorched Materials

Wood, metal, and other building material scorched or blackened by fire may require replacing, especially if they pose any kind of hazard to the building’s occupants. Burnt wooden doors and warped metal edging or surfaces may not be salvageable, especially in the case of a serious fire. Your restoration technicians will probably advise you of which materials will require replacing and whether you should document them for any type of insurance claim you plan to make to cover the cost of such a job.

Cleaning and Deodorizing

After a fire, the smell of smoke and soot may be heavy throughout each room. These odors can become trapped inside walls, carpeting, furniture, and other porous surfaces. Your restoration technicians can work to eliminate smoky odors with a variety of industrial cleaning techniques, such as ozone machines and specialized cleansers. Depending on the intensity of the fire, some carpeting and building materials may require replacing.

Setup of Future Support and Troubleshooting

Once all the previous steps are completed, your fire restoration technicians may give you information about future support in maintaining your repaired home or business. For example, if a smoky odor emerges a few weeks after the cleaning process is complete, you will likely be given a contact number so technicians can be called back to determine and eliminate the cause. This can give you peace of mind in case any problems should arise later on or if you require additional services.

The repair and restoration of a fire at your property can be a daunting experiencing and not one that can always be handled on your own. Call a fire damage and reconstruction restoration service today to protect your investment today and for the future.