When the average homeowner compares wildfire vs. building fire restoration, they may not understand that the two processes are very different. This is because wildfire restoration and building fire restoration deal with two very different types of disasters, but share one common denominator: restoring an area and bringing normalcy back into your life during a traumatic time.

Wildfire vs. Building Fire Restorations: Are They Really So Different?

While some people have the mentality that all fires are the same, so the restoration processes should be the same as well, this simply isn’t true. Yes, both cause significant damage and trauma to those involved. However, the two types of fires deal with very different aftermaths, which are outlined below.

Wildfire Restoration

The unfortunate reality is that 67,000 wildfires have cleared some 7 million acres of U.S. land every year over the past 10 years according to the Congressional Research Service. Not only do wildfires bring the risk of fatalities, but, according to recent research, they are responsible for 25,790 burned structures in 2018. These burned structures include homes and places of business, among others.

Wildfire restoration typically focuses on restoring the areas most affected by the wildfire: the forests, grasslands, etc. While building fire restoration is a part of wildfire restoration, there is much more that goes into it than the rehabilitation and restoration that occurred in the areas most affected by wildfires.

This restoration process focuses heavily on restoring the land post-fire and bringing the nature of the area back to life. Depending on the area and the extent of the damage, wildfires can prove beneficial to the area. However, those areas that are left severely damaged must undergo ecological restoration.

Ecological restoration focuses on the overall recovery of an ecosystem after it has experienced significant trauma. You want to conserve what is left of the area and restore it to its previous beauty. Areas devastated by wildfires see significant changes in the land in addition to the entire ecosystem of the area. This means a loss not only in foliage but of other wildlife, as well. This can severely upset the natural balance of the area, which is why ecological and wildfire restoration is so vital.

If your home was devastated by a wildfire, then not only are ecological restoration practices a must but so are building fire restoration practices.

Building Fire Restoration

Whether its wildfire restoration or building fire restoration, this is a process that should never be taken lightly or done on your own. The danger is not over once the blaze has been put out. A fire of any magnitude does significant damage to not only the building’s structure but leaves residue everywhere you turn. From smoke damage to odor and other contaminations – building fire restoration is a process best handled by professionals.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), in 2017, there were an estimated 371,500 residential fires that resulted in 2,695 deaths, 10,852 injuries, and over seven billion dollars in losses. Having a trusted professional on your side can and will help ease your mind, as will knowing what a typical fire damage restoration involves.

When working with Restoration 1, a typical fire damage restoration involves several different processes. Remember, the severity of a building fire may not come to life until your professionals start digging into the restoration process.

For instance, smoke damage, soot, and dust aren’t always easily spotted. Sometimes they can be seen easily on the affected walls and ceiling, but they aren’t easily seen on flooring, especially underneath it. The same is true for structural damages. While damages to walls are easily spotted, that doesn’t always account for the framing and subfloor materials. These are all areas that a professional must inspect to make sure they meet safety standards.

With Restoration 1, a basic fire restoration involves:

• Treating contamination and odor: Anyone who has ever experienced a home fire understands that the odor can last long after the fire has been put out. If the framing and structure of the home are salvageable, our team will treat it with odor counteractants that not only help remove/prevent odors but also eliminate microbial contamination.
• Removing damaged components: Sometimes, damaged components aren’t so easily spotted. Our team will do a thorough inspection of the home, and any hazardous components will be removed.
• Evaluating and removing damaged flooring: This is a vital step in the fire restoration process because, as mentioned earlier, dust, soot, and other harmful elements can settle underneath your flooring, promoting an unsafe and unhealthy environment.
• Restoring or completely removing the HVAC system in the home: The HVAC system in the home can potentially spread harmful particles throughout the structure via the air ducts, which can cause prospective health problems long after the fire has been dealt with. Part of your fire restoration plan includes inspection of your HVAC system, restoring it (if possible), or completely removing it if restoration isn’t possible.
• Evaluating the structural framing of the home: The structural framing is the most crucial part of the home. Your fire restoration plan will include a full structural evaluation to make sure all unseen parts of the home are up to safety standards.

Don’t Take on The Damage Alone

There is no wildfire restoration vs. building fire restoration debate here at Restoration 1. No matter which is afflicting your business or family, we understand that you’re going through a difficult time.

Don’t take on the damage alone. With 24/7 support available, we are here to help you restore your property. Use our online tool to help you find a local expert today.