If you have a fire occur within your home, which has left the condition in a way where you are able to salvage your property, you will need to go through a series of steps during the restoration process to make sure your home gets the help needed to get back into a usable state. Here is a list of what needs to be addressed during the fire restoration process so that you have a better idea of how it works and how soon you will be able to use your property once again.
Call Your Insurance Agent
As soon as you realize that the fire is more than a small one that can be handled yourself, you will want to call your insurance agent. They will be able to check your homeowner's insurance policy to find out what type of fire damage insurance your policy has, and you can get the process started in fire damage assessment.
An insurance adjuster—such as one from Citiwide Adjusters—will come to your home or business after the building has been cleared by fire officials as safe to enter. An evaluation will be done to see how much you will be receiving for repair.
Call A Restoration Specialist
You will need to call a fire restoration and cleanup service to come assess the damage. They will do a complete evaluation about smoke and soot damage, as well as water damage. The restoration process may take a while to complete, so having a thorough evaluation done is beneficial to make a plan to attack the damage safely and swiftly.
Water Damage
The fire restoration service will board up broken windows and place tarps over areas of the roof that have been damaged. This will keep further damage from occurring while the rest of the house is being cleaned. They will then tackle removing any standing water. The company will pump the water from the interior and use high-powered fans and dehumidifiers to dry the affected area quickly. Mold remover would also be used on any surface affected by water damage.
Smoke And Soot Damage
The restoration company will clean all surfaces that have received smoke and soot damage during the fire. Fire restoration services use special chemicals that can remove soot from walls and ceilings. Other portions of your home may need more extensive repair if the damage was too great.
How Long Will The Cleanup Take
The restoration company will be able to give you an estimate about how long it will take them to finish their cleanup. It may take several days or weeks to be able to use your home as it was before the fire, since the cleanup is a rather tedious process. Safety is important though, so be patient and allow them to complete their job before trying to go back inside. After the cleanup is complete, you will want to hire a contractor to start to repair and restore your home.
Share30 October 2014
