Fire damage restoration is a process that no one ever hopes to go through. All properties are at risk of unexpected fires, whether commercial or residential. It takes some in-depth techniques and technology, but fire restoration professionals from around Ephrata are effective and thorough.
This article will cover the main fire damage restoration process, such as when it is necessary and the steps required. It will also include what you should do to prepare your home or commercial building for fire damage restoration. While the challenge of rebuilding after a fire is heavy, knowing the proper approach can save you time, money, and headaches.
When is Fire Damage Restoration Necessary?
Between four and five hundred thousand structure fires are handled by emergency services in the U.S. each year. Alongside these are many more small fires handled by homeowners themselves. Fire damage restoration becomes necessary when the aftermath of a structure fire is inconvenient or dangerous to the household.
House fires can be in particular need of fire damage restoration because structural damage or loss of appliances and utilities can make life incredibly difficult. No one is a big fan of smelling smoke and seeing soot residue on their belongings! Even putting out the fire can make restoration necessary. Water damage, for example, is an unfortunate side effect of putting out larger flames.
When it comes to fire damage restoration for commercial buildings, it’s important to be prepared so that you can get business back on track as soon as possible. Having your operations experience interruptions can be detrimental to your livelihood and disrupt growth. Properly restoring your place of business is a top priority after damaging fires.
What Are The Steps in a Fire Damage Restoration Process?
The correct fire damage restoration process is important for salvaging your property and belongings in affected areas. Here are some necessary steps of the fire damage restoration process:
Emergency Board Up
Securing your property after the release by the fire marshal is the first order of business. The structure should have stability and protection from weather conditions. Areas under exposure need boarding up, and dangerous areas should have a taping. This keeps children and other people from entering spots that will still undergo cleaning.
Emergency Pre-Cleaning
To make a successful restoration process happen, the area should go through clearing and cleaning. A pre-cleaned area is much easier for a restoration team to treat. This halts any further damage as it is happening and makes the entire restoration process more cost-effective.
Smoke Odor Reduction
Smoke odor is one of the most frustrating factors of fire damage. It is invisible, yet you won’t be able to ignore it! If not treated, the smell lingers. Below are some professional tools and techniques that can reduce or eliminate the smoke’s odor:
- Negative air containment
- Sealing
- Deodorization
- Thermal fogging
Cleaning Your Belongings
When belongings have been damages by house fires, it’s helpful to work with your insurance. They will examine what is replaceable or professionally cleanable. Techniques such as ultrasonic cleaning are employed by professionals to restore your belongings whenever possible.
How to Prepare Your Home for This Process
As a homeowner, you need to take yourself and your household into account before anything. Be upfront with yourself about the frustration and difficulty you are facing by dealing with home fire damage. Make sure your household knows what to expect from the fire damage restoration process and has a plan to work and live with any inconveniences it might cause.
Be sure to get rid of any items that could pose a danger, such as open food containers contaminated by soot or smoke, burnt clothes, and furniture. Talk with your insurance carrier about what is covered within your home insurance. Some plans include coverage of debris clean-up and more.
Additionally, take precautions when it comes to entering your home. Some risks remain even after the fire has been extinguished. Toxins released by the flames can hang around in the air for quite some time after the fire has died. The ash and soot left behind also pose similar dangers.
How to Prepare Your Commercial Business for This Process
When the fire marshal releases your site of business, it’s time to take action. Make sure any equipment or rooms exposed by the fire are covered or boarded up. This doubles as both weather protection and a security measure. Site security personnel and temporary fencing installations discourage trespassers or looting, which is more common in business emergencies.
Once your property is secure, take the time to plan out the restoration process. Make the necessary adjustments to allow the business to continue as much as possible. Get in touch with your insurance provider to find out exactly what will be covered in the restoration.
Keep in mind that shop vacs you have on-site may not be rated for filtering out small particles released by fires. Despite having tools and equipment on your property that could clean the area, proper protection and cleaning techniques are required to fully eliminate toxic chemicals. It is smarter to leave the deep cleaning to professionals.
Choose the Right Fire Restoration Services for Ephrata, PA
Fire damage restoration can be a complex process. Your structure and the valuables inside are worth all the time and care it takes to fix what is possible. For this reason, we strive to restore your smoke or fire-damaged property to equal or better than pre-loss conditions. Compleat Restorations has over 40 years of experience with fire and smoke damage restoration projects of all sizes.
No matter the size of your loss, Compleat’s experienced and certified staff can create a customized plan for your property to establish a safe and healthy environment. We work to use the most efficient and economically feasible processes possible. By working with us, you have peace of mind knowing your property is in good hands.
If you have questions or are dealing with fire damage, contact Compleat here!