Content Summary
- In this article, we’ll explain the importance of quick action and explore the basic principles of the fire and smoke restoration process.
- Once the fire is extinguished, your best bet is to immediately call a fire remediation service.
- Below are the main steps that should be taken in order to effectively remediate the damage and restore your home.
- Once the damage is contained, the necessary repairs and restoration procedures will begin.
Why You Need to Act Immediately
House fires are often devastating to endure. The resulting emotional impact and property damage can be overwhelming. Once it’s put out, you’ll need to remain composed and act immediately to remediate the fire and smoke damage and get your home back to its original state.
To restore your home quickly and save as many belongings as possible, you’ll want to contact a professional fire damage service to carry out the necessary work. In this article, we’ll explain the importance of quick action and explore the basic principles of the fire and smoke restoration process.
There’s no telling what type of damage a fire can cause. Fire interacts with different materials in various ways, creating a wide range of problems. Once the fire is out, the damage is not necessarily done. For instance, smoke and soot residues are usually corrosive and will continue to penetrate everything and damage the structure and contents of your house.
Water used to extinguish the flame will make your entire house a breeding ground for mold if not dealt with immediately. Acting quickly will prevent it from spreading everywhere, in which case mold remediation will be part of the restoration process.
Secondary damage is often more destructive than flames. You need to call fire and smoke remediation experts as soon as you can to salvage as much as possible from your home.
How Fire and Smoke Restoration Works
Once the fire is extinguished, your best bet is to immediately call a fire remediation service. Fire and smoke restoration is a delicate process. Below are the main steps that should be taken in order to effectively remediate the damage and restore your home.
Structural Integrity and Damage Assessment
Once your home is deemed safe to enter, every part will be inspected to assess the extent of structural damage, including hidden damage, and determine the best way to proceed. In addition, the soot residue left by the fire will make it difficult to know what may and may not be recovered. Your belongings will need to be assessed to determine the extent of the damage and whether they’re salvageable.
After a thorough inspection, the trained professionals will let you know the scope and duration and provide cost estimates of the restoration process.
Water, Smoke, Soot, and Debris Removal
For safety, water, gas, and electricity should be shut down. If parts of your house remain intact, it’s necessary to seal off the damaged areas.
In this stage, debris around your house will be removed. Dust, smoke, ash, and soot residues must be thoroughly cleaned from materials, appliances, furnishings, and other surfaces to prevent further material degradation.
To avoid additional damage caused by mold, wet and damp areas should be dried out and dehumidified after removing the water-damaged items and materials. Depending on the extent of water damage, antimicrobial products may limit mold growth. During this stage, smoke odor will also be eliminated using the necessary deodorizing equipment.
Restoration
Once the damage is contained, the necessary repairs and restoration procedures will begin. Damaged items will need to be repaired or replaced, including the roof, flooring, drywall, fixtures, electrical system, as well as belongings.
Due to the destructive nature of house fires, this process can take days, weeks, or even months, especially if the house’s structural integrity is compromised.
Why You Shouldn’t Handle Fire Restoration Yourself
Dealing with the extensive scope of fire and smoke damage requires expertise, knowledge, and specialized equipment to ensure safety and quick and effective remediation.
Smoke and other byproducts of the fire compromise the air quality in your home and can cause serious respiratory problems without the use of protective equipment. Structural instability can also cause injuries, highlighting the importance of thorough professional inspection.
In addition, the best way to mitigate secondary damage and salvage as many items as possible is with the help of trained professionals; they can deal with all types of smoke and water damage resulting from the fire quickly and efficiently.
If your home or business has been damaged by fire, call Enviro-Dry right away for smoke restoration in Creighton, Missouri. We’ll work quickly to contain the damage, remove the smoke and soot from your property, and restore it to its original condition. We’ll also help you file any insurance claims.