Did you know, according to the National Fire Protection Association, every 23 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere in the nation. In 2021 alone, fire caused $15.9 billion of property damage, and is expected to be much higher by now.
We know that it is devastating to watch your property get burned down. In this comprehensive guide, we will inform you about early expectations you can have while facing a fire damage issue and how to cope with it.
We will also cover how to do fire damage clean-up and how expert fire restoration services repair fire damage so you can have a proper idea about what you will be facing. Let’s get started.
What Is Fire Damage Restoration?
‘Fire Damage’ refers to the physical harm caused by burning your property. This harm may result immediately from the flames or be brought on by the smoke and other corrosive gases the fire releases.
Fire damage restoration is the process of bringing burned or smoke-damaged property back to its pre-loss state. Depending on the severity of the fire and the damage it caused, the restoration process could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Moreover, fire restoration may be necessary for property boarding up, demolition, total reconstruction, debris removal, odor removal, soot removal, cleaning, and deodorization.
An expert fire damage restoration company will help you out from this traumatic experience and can make your life less stressful by handling the hurdles of a burned house and eventually getting back to your sweet home as it was before.
What to Expect After The Calamity?
We already know that fire damage won’t bring something good for you, but at least you can understand what you may have to face and know the severity of it. An early acknowledgment will help you to adapt to the situation mentally.
Flames, heat, smoke, and water can seriously harm your home and many items inside. Nothing that was not burnt may be destroyed by smoke and may be damp from the water used to extinguish the fire. Everything that you want to keep or use again needs to be properly cleaned.
But it’s impossible to say exactly how much damage you will deal with as the size of the fire and duration of the fire hugely impacts the damage. An early response can make the damage as low as possible.
Steps Right After Fire
Check On Your Family First
It is easy to feel overwhelmed and fail to complete even the most basic tasks, although it could seem obvious now. If you weren’t alone when the fire started, ensure everyone is okay. It may be upsetting depending on the extent of the fire and the age of the persons involved. Try to hold a positive attitude.
If none of your family members are there, call a close friend. Tell the family members you are safe by giving them a call.
Coping with Emotions
After a calamity, things could feel very stressful for you and your family. It can elicit several unexpected emotions, and dealing with them is just as crucial as dealing with physical harm, property damage, and ruined houses.
Some people could be afraid that things still haven’t improved. They can be concerned for their own or a loved one’s safety. They might experience shock, astonishment, grief, rage, or guilt. Furthermore, possible are memory loss, anxiety, and sadness. Children, older adults, and those with disabilities could require special consideration.
It’s critical to reassuringly inform them that they are safe and that assistance is available. People can heal more quickly and completely when they receive assurance from a trustworthy adult. Attempt to resume as much of your regular activities as you can.
Simple actions you can take to improve your emotional needs are:
- Get some rest and hydrate yourself.
- Minimize your exposure to disaster imagery and sounds, particularly those you hear or see on the radio, the news, or television.
- Concentrate on the good.
- Acknowledge your emotions.
- Ask for and accept assistance from others.
- Try something fun, like attending regular gatherings.
- Keep in touch with your family or other backers.
- Understand that recuperation may take some time.
Contact a community professional for additional information and help if you have more questions.
Investigate the Damage’s Extent
The first thing you should do when the fire has been put out, and all your family members are secure is assessing the damage. Naturally, you can enter your property to check if any critical documents or valuables were not destroyed once the firefighters give the all-clear. Again, you must examine the safety of your home before assessing the damage.
Do not attempt to turn on, clean, or use any electrical items exposed to fire, smoke, or water. This includes turning lights on, especially if the ceiling is wet. The fire and the actions taken to put it out damaged both the appliances and electrical wiring.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Ensure your insurance company is informed as soon as possible about the fire. You will then know how to begin the fire damage restoration procedure. To do this, you can prepare your receipts as evidence of your loss and list all the damaged products and their prices.
Your adjuster will go through your options and benefits based on your coverage. The claims procedure will also be covered. Do not delay filing your insurance claim for fire damage.
Contact a Fire Damage Restoration Expert
Service providers specializing in fire damage restoration and cleanup can help you salvage your property and restore your home following a fire. Fire damage restoration specialists have the necessary skills and equipment to safely and successfully limit and restore damage.
The corrosive byproducts left behind after the fire can cause the damage to continue to spread. They may assist in repairing or rebuilding the structural components and personal items in your house and removing soot, smoke damage, and odor.
Replacing Cash
Avoid handling burned money as much as possible. Try to wrap the entire bill or at least a portion in plastic wrap for best preservation. You can take money that has only partially burned—if half or more of it is still good—to your local Federal Reserve Bank to get it replaced. Ask your bank which branch is closest to you. The Treasury can receive the burned money as well.
How Do Fire Restoration Companies Work
Inspecting the Damage
Fire damage restoration experts begin by carefully inspecting the building to record any damage brought on by fire, smoke, and soot. When a fire is put out, they also check for any water damage that could have occurred. The technicians start the restoration process after thoroughly evaluating the damage.
Cleaning and Removal
Furniture, appliances, and personal possessions that have been damaged will be taken from the house. The professionals can assist in determining if a certain object may be recovered or whether it has been irreparably damaged. All surviving objects are packed up and transported to a facility off-site so they may be carefully cleaned and repaired.
Property Stabilization
A home’s structural foundation and roof sustain severe damage following a house fire, making them unstable and vulnerable to additional damage from the climate or vandalism.
Professionals who know how to repair fire damage can board up and tarp your home’s roof to safeguard it throughout restoration.
Water Damage Restoration and Drying
When the building has been secured, water damage cleaning professionals remove water used to extinguish the fire and repair any harm that resulted. To stop mold development and other problems, they then use drying and dehumidification equipment to dry the afflicted regions.
Soot and Smoke Damage Restoration
Using strong cleaning chemicals, the specialists in this restoration step remove tarnishing brought on by soot and corrosive byproducts. They can remove soot from your home’s walls, ceiling, worktops, and other surfaces and things.
The professionals will employ cutting-edge tools like hydroxyl technology and ozone generators to eradicate the stench, which is also a component of this step.
Cleansing and Disinfecting
Fire damage professionals will thoroughly clean and sanitize your house once the water, fire, and soot damage has been repaired. Structures, furniture, appliances, and other objects coated in dust, dirt, or residue are all included in the cleaning.
Finally Restoring
Repair work is required in the last step of the fire damage clean-up procedure to return your house to its original state. This covers renovation, painting, the installation of new drywall, flooring, or carpeting, and rebuilding structurally compromised sections.
While some fire damage restoration businesses provide complete rebuilding services, others might provide certain repairs and direct you to someone more qualified to perform the repairs.
Epilogue
In the aftermath of a fire, it’s normal to be overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. However, remember that resources are available to help you recover and rebuild your home and your life.
First and foremost, ensure you and your loved ones are safe and out of harm’s way. Once you’ve secured your immediate safety, it’s time to begin assessing the damage and working with your insurance company to file an insurance claim for fire damage.
Depending on the extent of the damage, you need to hire a professional fire damage restoration company to help clean up and restore your home. It’s also important to prevent further damage, such as boarding up windows and doors, covering holes in the roof, and removing debris.
Throughout the process, it’s also important to take care of your mental and emotional health. Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be traumatic, and it’s okay to seek professional help if you’re struggling to cope.