Fire Damage - Home Restoration and Cleanup Process
Fires leave more than physical damage, as there are also significant emotional aftershocks to deal with in the wake of a disaster.
However, knowing the timeline for fire damage home restoration and cleanup will help make things go much smoother and fill you with confidence that things will soon get back to normal.
This article includes details about what you should be doing after a fire and a timeline to guide you during the restoration phase.
Start Fire Damage Restoration Immediately
As soon as the last flames are extinguished, time is of the essence. Starting the fire restoration process as quickly as possible minimizes any ongoing damage that often occurs out of sight in these situations.
Things you can do includes boarding up windows and doors, removing debris from inside or outside of buildings, and protecting belongings with tarps or covers. Fires often expose hazardous materials like asbestos, so it’s always a good idea to have a professional examine the property before you unknowingly put yourself at risk.
It's important to contact a professional right away if you experience significant smoke or water damage that requires specialized cleaning equipment, as well as prevent further damage due to mold growth and wood rot.
Fire damage affects different surfaces in different ways. Having experienced technicians onsite will help you find areas needing attention that you would miss.
The Day of The Fire
The day of the fire is a traumatic experience for all involved. However, as soon as you know that everyone is safe, it's time to call your insurance provider to start the claim process.
The next step is to get in contact with an experienced fire damage restoration company. They will assess the extent of damage and start working on a restoration plan with strategies to prevent further damage while they return the property back to pre-fire condition.
You should also start documenting the damage in detail with photos and property lists. You may need these images or videos later on when making claims or filing lawsuits.
Restoration During the First Few Days
Don't start any major cleanups or repairs yourself, unless you are qualified. The best course of action is to call in experienced professionals who are trained in fire damage restoration.
They will assess and remove items from your home that can't be salvaged, sort the items that can be saved, and secure damaged areas from further degradation. Restoration technicians will begin the cleanup of soot residue on walls and ceilings and getting rid of smoke odor.
In some cases, they may also provide temporary fixes like boarding up windows or placing emergency tarping over holes in the roof until permanent repairs can be made. Don't forget to keep creating photographic records of every item you discard or plan on restoring.
Fire Damage Restoration Phases
After the initial assessment and inspection, fire damage restoration typically follows a few different phases. These are all important steps that should be followed to ensure your property is restored properly and safely.
Cleaning Phase
Once the property inspection is complete the cleanup phase begins. During this time, your fire damage restoration specialist will do a thorough cleaning of all affected areas in order to get rid of soot and smoke residue from walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, furniture and other surfaces.
This may include washing down walls with a special solution that helps remove smoke particles or vacuuming carpets with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner. Depending on the severity of the damage caused by the fire, some materials such as wallpaper, flooring, and furniture may need to be replaced altogether.
Sprinkler systems and firefighter’s will have flooded your property with water to smother the flames, so you will likely need water damage remediation services as well.
Specialist Deodorizing Service
Smoke leaves a lingering odor that's difficult to get rid of. A deodorizing service will ensure your home or business isn’t left with an unpleasant smell.
Many people don’t realize how persistent smoke odors can be after a fire, so this step can make all the difference in restoring your property back to its pre-fire condition. You may find that repeat visits are necessary depending on the extent of damage.
Restoration
Once all the debris has been cleared away, it’s time to start restoring the property back to its original condition. Restoration may include renovations and repairs to walls, floors, and ceiling; new paint or wallpaper; replacing fixtures like countertops and cabinets; replacing electrical wiring and plumbing results; and purchasing new furniture to replace what was damaged in the fire.
Depending on how extensive the repairs are, restoration can take several weeks or months. It is important that you work with experienced professionals who know exactly how to ensure your home is restored properly while meeting safety codes and regulations.
Fire damage restoration and cleanup can be a long process, but it is essential to ensure the safety of your home or business. The steps outlined in this article may help you understand the timeline that is typically followed with such services. If your home or business has been affected by fire, call Best Option Restoration to learn more about how they can help you get your life back on track.
Fire Damage with Best Option Restoration
If you’re experiencing fire damage in Denver, Arvada, Thornton, Broomfield, Boulder, or the surrounding areas, Best Option Restoration can help you. We are aware that fire damage can leave you feeling overwhelmed, and our goal is to instill peace of mind throughout the project and restore your property in the most efficient way possible. We have many years of experience in restoration reconstruction and all our general contractors are licensed and insured. If your property has been damaged due to water, fire, or mold we will give you the personalized service and expert marksmanship needed to get the job done right. To learn more about our services, call us at (720) 620-3272 or contact us online to receive an estimate on your project.
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