Fire has been humanity’s companion throughout history, providing heat, light, and a means for cooking food. However, when not controlled, it poses significant dangers and can inflict severe damage to your home. If a fire damages your home, starting a systematic restoration process is crucial to restore its original state.
This unfortunate situation necessitates a complete understanding of the fire damage recovery process, as it involves numerous intricate steps that can be overwhelming without proper knowledge. This article aims to guide you through these essential stages to ensure you’re prepared and informed about what to expect after a fire. Here are the key steps to follow during a fire recovery process:
1. Call The Insurance Company
If you have insurance for your home, call your insurance provider to help you with the claims processing and provide instructions on documenting the damage and necessary repairs after the fire. Afterward, you can begin filing a claim to cover all the losses.
However, the insurance company may not cover all types of fires. This was explained with openinsurance.com posts, which state that if the fire is caused by, for example, a firework, you’ll need to have substantial evidence showing you took all the necessary precautions required and the fire is due to unavoidable reasons.
You may not receive compensation if your insurance doesn’t cover fireworks, you light them unlawfully, or you’re playing a prank. In the meantime, find a restoration company to assist you in listing all the items that the fire has destroyed and that you need to replace. And give the information to your insurance provider.
2. Assess The Damage In Your House
You should call a professional restoration enterprise to comprehensively assess the house’s damage. They’ll check the visible and hidden damage resulting from smoke and water used to extinguish the fire. Once they finish, they’ll determine the scope of work and the repairs and provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate. It can help you gather the exact funds you need.
3. Safeguard The House
After the fire, you’ll have to relocate to a safer place, leaving your home unattended, and various people may come in, which can lead to further damage. Thus, your restoration provider can safeguard the area by boarding up windows, doors, or other damaged openings during the fire. Alternatively, you can install temporary fencing or barriers to protect the property from vandalism or theft.
4. Begin Restoration Process
Once you assess the damage and the house is secure, the professionals will begin the restoration process in the following ways:
- Water Removal And Drying
If the water used to extinguish the fire pools in the house, the restoration team will begin by extracting it from your home. They’ll use specialized equipment such as pumps, vacuums, and dehumidifiers to remove moisture and thoroughly dry the affected areas. It’s a step crucial to prevent mold growth and secondary water damage.
- Smoke, Soot, And Debris Removal
Smoke and soot can penetrate various surfaces, leaving residue and strong odors behind. The restoration team will use techniques and cleaning agents to remove smoke and clean soot from walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, and personal belongings.
They’ll also conduct air purification and utilize both dry and wet cleaning methods to eliminate odors and restore the house to its pre-fire condition. They may also remove debris from the furniture and other construction materials.
- Electrical System Restoration
Ensure the utility provider checks your electrical systems to ascertain they’re off to avoid electric shocks. Then, the professionals will have the wires and the inner electrical wires replaced before you put in the drywall.
- Structural Repairs
Depending on the fire’s severity, your home’s structural components may require repairs or replacement. You must address damage to walls, roofs, floors, or other structural elements.
At this stage, your restoration team will work closely with contractors, engineers, and architects to ensure the repairs comply with safety standards and local building codes. They’ll replace all the parts the fire destroyed.
- Content Cleaning And Restoration
The restoration team will meticulously clean and restore your belongings, furniture, and other fire-related items. They’ll carefully evaluate each item and methods like dry cleaning, wet cleaning, deodorization, and specialized treatments for electronics, textiles, artwork, and sentimental items. Moreover, some items may need to be temporarily relocated for off-site restoration.
- Reconstruction And Remodeling
If the fire damage is extensive, reconstruction and remodeling may be necessary. At this stage, your restoration team will rebuild or repair damaged areas of your home, like the walls, floors, ceilings, and other structural elements. It can be an excellent opportunity to make changes or upgrades to your home, like installing fire doors. Throughout this process, it’s essential to consult with professionals and architects.
5. Final Inspections And Approvals
After restoration and reconstruction work is complete, local authorities or building inspectors may conduct final inspections to ensure safety codes and regulations compliance. Therefore, obtaining the necessary approvals before reoccupying the property is essential.
Conclusion
The fire restoration process is intricate. Thus, take your time to understand what it entails, which can assist you in knowing what steps to take if your house has burned down. Most importantly, always ensure you call your insurance provider to conduct their assessment. They’ll help with paying for all the costly repairs.