Unfortunately, the need for fire damage restoration is more common than most people think. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), there were just under 1.3 million fires in 2019 that caused approximately $14.8 billion in losses. Countless properties were destroyed or required some degree of restoration.
Fire damage restoration can cover a wide range of scenarios. In some instances, light smoke damage needs to be mitigated and in others, massive restoration is required. Regardless of the size of the restoration project, similar steps must be taken by professional fire damage restoration companies.
Steps Involved in Mitigating Fire Damage
Professional fire damage restoration companies are experienced in promptly and effectively ensuring that a property is safely restored back to its previous condition. Repairs after a fire should never be done by anyone but trained professionals. There are many dangers involved with a burned building and professional companies have the tools and protection they need to keep their workers safe.
Professional companies generally take the following steps, though each company may vary their approach slightly:
1) Assessment
The first step that a professional fire damage restoration company will take is to thoroughly assess the damage. In order to properly prepare for the job and to put together an accurate quote, experts will need to assess the extent of the damage.
When there has been a fire, it is not just the flames, smoke, and soot that can cause damage. There is often extensive water damage from the fire hoses and broken pipes. Water damage can cause mold issues very quickly.
Experienced professionals understand the many different ways that a structure is damaged in a fire.
2) Containment
It is essential that the fire damage restoration company secures the property until work can be completed. This may involve tarping holes in ceilings or walls or blocking off rooms to keep smoke and soot contained. Blown out windows may need to be boarded up and security may need to be hired to keep people out of the property. Water leaks should also be contained.
3) Cleaning
Before the property can be restored back to its previous state, it must be cleaned thoroughly. Destroyed items need to be removed and disposed of according to local rules and laws. Soot and ash also need to be cleaned from the area.
Any standing water should be extracted during the cleaning process and wet areas dried out using specialized equipment. The longer that water and moisture from the fire is left wet, the higher the chances that mold will start to grow in the structure. The cleaning step in any fire damage remediation can be quite time consuming.
Before working with a fire damage restoration company, property owners should make sure that the contractor holds the correct type of EPA hazardous waste transportation permit so they can lawfully dispose of any hazardous materials.
4) Restoration
Once the property has been cleaned and is ready for restoration, the construction work can begin. Often flooring, walls, and paint need to be replaced. Experienced fire damage restoration companies work closely with insurance companies in order to have the work done in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.
Working with the Best
In order to get the best results in any fire damage restoration project, property owners should look for highly skilled and experienced companies to work with. They should be well-established and reputable in the area. Finding a company that employs highly trained teams of fire damage experts is key to making sure that a property is properly restored.
Property owners should also look for companies that have experience communicating with insurance agents. The entire process becomes simplified when these two parties can speak directly with each other.
It is important that fire restoration companies hold the right types of certifications for their local and state authorities.
Being Prepared
Being prepared in case of a structure fire is an asset. Property owners should know who to call as soon as a fire has been safely extinguished in order to save as much of the structure as possible. Having a fire damage restoration plan in place before disaster strikes is smart. Hopefully, property owners will never need to use their plan but if they do, it will be ready to go.