Posted by: Lara's Services Group on March 14, 2022
Things to Consider When Starting a Fire Restoration Project
After a fire, your emotions and nerves may be all over the place. There are lots of things to consider after a fire, including how you will repair your home from the damage the fire left. With fire restoration, there are many aspects of repair that need to be addressed. Fire damage, smoke damage, and water damage can all be present at the scene of the fire, and all take special tools and specialty to restore.
Fires can quickly destroy and damage almost everything in its path. Fire can burn through carpet, fabrics, drywall, or really any dry soft surface in your home. This damage can happen quickly, and almost always causes complete replacement to be necessary to the areas that have been damaged. Fire can also cause structural damage to a building that can cause extensive damage.
With fire, always comes smoke. Smoke can penetrate almost every surface in your home and leave a distinct smell and stain. These by-products of smoke damage can be difficult to tackle and typically require professional-grade equipment to fully remove the evidence. Restoring your home to its pre-fire state means no more lingering reminders of the traumatic fire that once happened.
When putting out a fire, usually a lot of water needs to be used to fully extinguish the flames. While this practice can save your home or building, it can also cause damage of its own if it is not addressed right away. Sprinkles can have the same effect when used in commercial, industrial, or residential buildings. When water soaks through carpet, floors, walls, or even your roof it can cause mold or mildew to develop and impact the air quality in your home. It can also jeopardize the structure integrity of your home if it gets into and rots the support beams.
There are many aspects of fire damage that may not always meet the eye. Fire, smoke, and water damage are all part of the remediation and restoration processes that come after a fire is contained and put out.
Our team of experienced fire restoration technicians know exactly how to repair any damage done by fire and its accompanying issues. Our number one priority is getting you, your loved ones, or your business back to normal after a fire. Let us help you make a plan and carry out the process of repairing your home and building after a fire. Call us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
DIY soot removal is not recommended. Commercially available products can actually cause permanent damage to surfaces. Soot itself is primarily oil-based, but that residue also contains toxic, possibly biohazard contaminants.
It's never a quick fix, though we've gathered together a multi-discipline team of contractors and technicians to work in tandem to complete the work as soon as possible. From structural repairs to sand/soda-blasting to odor removal to contents cleaning, our fire damage restoration crew begins as soon as the project scope is determined, and we don't stop until the job is done and both you and the insurance company are satisfied with the results.
Depending on the extent or location of the fire damage, some homeowners can move back in a few days or longer. The fire department will usually turn off electricity and gas to the property right away, and that won't be restored until a building inspector says that it's safe to turn those utilities back on. If you experienced significant smoke damage and the home's occupants include elderly persons, young children, or those with chronic health conditions, it may be wise to stay until the smoke cleanup is complete. Contracting with a company experienced in fire damage restoration can often get you back home sooner, because they'll have the resources to hire and manage the many tradespeople who will need to work together to make the home liveable again.
Smoke damage is rarely limited to one area of the house, and it leaves behind a residue that can hide in crevices and out-of-reach areas, and a simple "airing out" may not be sufficient. We recommend consulting with a smoke damage technician who can help you troubleshoot the next steps.
Most often, yes. You'll need to check your specific policy for the full scope of coverage, but in general, if the damage was caused by a flame, it's covered. Your best bet is to hire a professional restoration to help you through the claims process. We know how to avoid some common missteps when it comes to making sure the entire loss is documented and covered. Many homeowners and insurance companies forget, for instance, to consider that your HVAC system will need to be cleaned of soot, and, since fires are extinguished using water, many areas of your home may need to be restored due to water damage even if they weren't directly affected by the fire.
