A house fire is a disaster that no one is ever prepared to experience. After the firetrucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and potentially extensive water damage from firefighting efforts.
A lifetime of memories can be destroyed by widespread fire damage, water damage, smoke damage, and loss of furnishings, appliances, valuables, family treasures, and other personal property. When the fire department releases the property back to you, the process of fire restoration begins. While every fire damage event is a little different, the general process stays the same and includes these 6 steps: inspection and estimate, determining the source and location of damage, demolition, cleanup, and restoration.
Step 1: Inspection and Estimate
The initial step involves an analysis with immediate actions to minimize further damage. Homeowners are advised to contact their insurance if they have not already done so. Assistance can be provided to help with temporary relocation and insurance claims.
Step 2: Determine the Source and Location of Damage
Fire damage, water damage, and smoke damage are three expected consequences of a house fire. If water damage is present for over 36-72 hours, mold damage may also be present. High-tech infrared thermal imaging is used to detect water damage that is hidden from sight. From there, a determination is made about the salvageability of water-damaged building structures, cabinets, furnishings and personal property. When it is possible to save these items, structural drying and dehumidification are begun.
Step 3: Demolition and Removal of Contents that Cannot Be Salvaged
During demolition, items that cannot be salvaged are discarded. This often includes building structures, cabinets, fixtures, appliances, furnishings and personal items that are damaged beyond repair. Containment methods are used to protect property that can be saved.
Step 4: Disaster Cleanup
The needs for cleanup depend upon the extent of damage, demolition, and preservation of contents. Specialized cleaning methods are used for restoration of salvaged ceilings, walls, fixtures, lighting, doors and windows, cabinets, and all saved contents. The HVAC duct system is cleaned and deodorized. Bedding is cleaned, sanitized and deodorized. Upholstered furnishings and window treatments are hand-cleaned. Restorative steam or dry-cleaning methods are used for refurbishing wall-to-wall and area carpets and fine oriental rugs.
Step 5: Deodorization
Ozone or Thermo Fogging are used to eliminate smoke odor from soft surfaces and structural materials.
Step 6: Fire, Mold and Water Damage Restoration
Restoration is the final step when your home or property is restored to its pre-loss condition. This often involves the installation of new drywall, flooring, baseboards, and ceiling tiles. Depending upon your budget and preferences, you may choose to update your kitchen, bathrooms, and other affected parts of your home. Restoration is also a time for repairs and/or replacement of lighting, fans, appliances, tile, furnishings, window treatments, electronics, bedding and other items damaged beyond repair.
As you can see, fire damage is more than just cleaning and repairing places that fire has touched. You have to take into account how fire transforms the foundation of the home as well as the contents within. Making these tough decisions while under the stress from what just happened isn’t easy.
Rapid action to minimize further damage is essential. You will be relying on professional, ethical and efficient restoration experts to assist you in this process. Before signing a contract, confirm the contractor has appropriate accreditation and specialized equipment to perform the necessary work.
The examples and perspective in this article are the opinion of Claim Ally. Claim Ally Does Not practice law nor does it provide legal advice.
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