A Guide: Fire Damage Restoration

Fire damage is devastating to any property, whether it is commercial or a residential home, and quickly cleaning it up and restoring the buildings that have been damaged is a priority after any fire. Depending on the extent of the damage, it can take weeks or months to fully clean up and begin restoring after a fire. This guide will help show you all the steps that are taken during a fire damage restoration process.

Assessing Damaged Caused by Fires

The first thing that needs to be done after a fire has ravaged a building is to determine the extent of the damage and the types of damage that were done. There are four main types of damage done when a fire engulfs a home: fire, smoke, soot, and water.

Fire damage is obviously the damage that is done to a home by the heat of the flames of the fire. Flames can burn and destroy almost any surface, given enough time, and they can render a building structurally unsound. After a fire has been put out by firefighters, the fire department, along with restoration experts must determine if the structure is safe to enter.

Smoke damage is the damage done by the smoke that was caused by fire. It is highly toxic, easily kills when inhaled, and can penetrate most surfaces with a powerful smell. Professionals will determine what surfaces are too damaged by smoke, remove them, then clean the rest.

Soot is left over by particles being lifted into the air by the heat of the fire and is a by-product of fossil fuels. Professionals will determine where soot has settled so it can be cleaned up quickly.

Water damage isn’t often a thought people have when it comes to a fire, but the damage caused by the water from water hoses or burst pipes can compromise parts of homes, and standing water and damp materials become hazardous quickly.

Once professionals have assessed the types of damage done, and the condition of personal belongings and furniture in the home, the insurance company will be informed, and they can give the all-clear to enter for their team to begin remediation.

Insurance company fire damage policies will often cover restoration costs, pending reports from the restoration company, fire marshal, and adjustor.

Remediation and Cleanup

Once given the okay, the restoration company will begin the remediation process. They have to remove anything that will get in the way, or that cannot be salvaged, and seal off any areas of the house that were not damaged by fire to prevent the spread of soot, moisture, mold, or mildew. Any wet surfaces and standing water must be removed and then dried as soon as possible. Once surfaces are dry, smoke and soot removal can begin, which basically entails cleaning every surface of the building inside and out, including HVAC. Any metal surfaces will also be searched for signs of corrosion in order to mitigate or remove it.

Mold, Mildew and Deodorize

The final steps of cleaning include removing all the drywall and insulation that have been damaged, especially water damaged, as they will no longer be structurally useful. Mold and mildew are cleaned away with bleach-based products, or with heat treatments, then the entire building will be deodorized to make sure no lingering smells remain.

Restore

A fire damage restoration company will often restore structurally necessary components, but depending on your contract with them, you may need a general contractor. Stuff like sheetrock and skirting boards, and details like painting will be left to you.

Fire restoration is a long process, and having a professional team helping you out will speed up the process and ensure it's done right.