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Recovering From Fire Damage To Your Home

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 28 August 2019 23:21

No home is 100% fire-proof. Even after pulling all the precautionary measures, you cannot totally eliminate the risk, as fire can sometimes start unnoticed from almost anywhere in your property.

Fire can spread fast and cause extensive damage to your home. If left uncontrolled for long, it will leave all your furniture, your belongings, and your home in ashes.

The type and severity of the fire damage are situation-specific and may vary widely. However, the series of responses to any fire incident remains roughly the same. Calling a fire damage restoration service should immediately follow because fire can still cause damage even after it is put out. The sooner the situation is contained, the cheaper the restoration will be.

These steps will further guide you on how to deal with fire damage in your home effectively:

1. Make the necessary calls.

There are two essential phone calls you need to make right after a fire disaster. One is to your insurance provider (if you have insurance) and the other is to the restoration company.

Before taking any steps in restoring the property, speak to your insurance agent first for a clear idea of your policy coverages. Agents are experienced in dealing with these types of property emergencies; they can advise you on the necessary steps to take and how to proceed with your claims. They can also help you identify coverages in your policy that you might not be aware of like food, clothing, and temporary dwelling assistance.

2. Document the damage.

Your insurance company is likely to ask you for proof of the damage during the claims process. Make sure that you take enough pictures of the disaster up close and in wide-range for documentation. Don't forget to photograph any affected belongings and equipment taken out of the property. You can also ask the mitigation crew to take photos of the structural and interior damage before they move stuff out or demolish the building.

You'll want to make a thorough inventory of the damage caused by the fire to receive proper compensation from your insurance provider.

3. Secure the property.

Securing the property prevents looting. Once your insurance agent gives you the go signal, you can then proceed to the mitigation and restoration process.

As mentioned, fire can continue damaging your home and belongings event after it has been put out. Roofs can cave in; winds can cause fire embers to burn; burst pipes can start flooding; water can soak items and trigger mold growth. The soot, ashes, and chemicals from the fire can also create air quality hazards.

The mitigation and restoration process, however, pose several health and safety issues. That said, it’s best taken care of with the help of a fire restoration company. It essential to hire professionals because they know how to deal with the damage in the fastest, safest, and most efficient ways possible.

4. Clean the property and move undamaged items.

You’ll have to move out the contents of your home to facilitate the repairs process. Burnt and damaged items can be discarded immediately, while those that can still be salvaged will require proper cleaning. Even unaffected furniture or décor needs some level of scrubbing to eliminated odor and contaminants.

One of the most challenging tasks after fire damage is removing smoke and soot from the building. Fire remnants in HVAC systems and crawl spaces are tough to deal with. Also, different materials create different kinds of smoke, and some of them may require a specific type of cleaning.

Again, soot and smoke removal require expertise. It's wise to hire a reliable fire restoration service for the job.

Recovering from a fire disaster can be a long and arduous process. But while the aftermath of the disaster can succumb anybody into a state of trauma, knowing how to respond to the situation appropriately helps make the recovery process more manageable.

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Rachel Anderson is the Content Marketing Strategist of Arizona Fire & Water Restoration, Inc., a Phoenix-based company that provides water, fire and smoke damage restoration as well as mold remediation and removal services. When not writing, she plays bowling and goes on trail hikes with her friends.

https://azfirewater.com/

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