A specific set of procedures is needed to recover your home after it has been damaged by fire. Following the proper restoration process will not only help you plan the entire project and recover your property back to normal, but it will also help you avoid more damage. And if you’re not careful enough in the process, you could cause even more damage. These tips are meant to keep you on track with the best and most efficient method to restore your home with the least amount of risk.

What You Should Know After a Disaster

When your property is damaged, one of your main tasks will be to clean up the mess. While it will be essential to respond quickly to the issues, make sure to complete the steps in the proper order to avoid causing even more problems.

The Initial Steps

Call your insurance company to have the damage assessed before you start any fire restoration work. A professional contractor can also assist you in evaluating the damage and providing a cleaning estimate. It’s also vital to get permission from your city government to re-enter your property.

Your home may not be safe, depending upon the level of the damage. Contaminants can linger in the air within the home, requiring people to put on protective equipment to avoid inhaling them.

Fire and Smoke Damage

Smoke and fire restoration require a thorough examination of the damage. To remove any residue, wipe the chrome and other metal on the fixtures with a wet cloth. Then, apply petroleum jelly to the surfaces as soon as you’ve finished removing the soot film.

Soot needs to be vacuumed from carpets, window coverings, and upholstery. Next, pour antifreeze into standing water, such as toilet bowls and water tanks, if your heat is off to avoid damage from freezing. Lastly, work with a fire damage restoration contractor to cover all openings in your property, like the roof, windows, and doorways, with wood coverings.

Water Damage

Burst pipes, malfunctioning appliances, outdoor precipitation, and firefighters’ water can all create severe water damage after a residential fire. Wet areas need to be ventilated right away after a fire to make sure that they dry as quickly as possible. To remain cool in the heat, turn on the air conditioner or turn on the fans.

Alternate opening windows and turning on the furnace for ventilation during the winter. Any standing water can be removed by wiping or sponging it up. Carpets and rugs that are wet must be removed. Electronics and electric appliances need to be removed. Open drawers and cabinets to allow more air to flow. Visit this property restoration company for more information.

What to Avoid

Deep cleaning fabrics in your house, such as carpets and furniture, should be avoided. Since soot and smoke remnants are usually oily, special cleaning procedures should eliminate them from materials. Trying to clean these surfaces can cause more problems.

Because of the possibility of electric shock, do not attempt to operate electronic devices in a wet house. Instead, unplug the devices and let them totally dry before connecting them back in.

Since smoke is likely absorbed into walls and ceilings, do not wipe them down to eliminate residue. Cleaning these places will need a particular cleaning process. Furthermore, food exposed to excessive heat, particularly canned foods, should not be prepared or consumed.

Conclusion

A trained fire restoration specialist can help lead you through evaluating the damage and recovering your property, even though a home emergency of this kind can be upsetting and overwhelming. You can minimize the damage that has already been caused and strive to solve it by paying attention to the details.