Whats Covered by Fire Damage Restoration Service

6 min read

When the unthinkable happens and a fire breaks out in your home, seeing its aftermath before your eyes can be overwhelming.

Dealing with fire damage isn’t just about charred walls and scorched belongings. It isn’t merely a cosmetic issue but a matter of safety and health. Ultimately, it involves taking on the challenges of the restoration process while recovering from the emotional toll the event took on you.

While nobody wishes for a property fire, there’s no harm in understanding the process you’ll have to go through when it does happen. This blog covers all the essentials you need to know about a fire damage restoration service – what it is, what it includes, and why hiring professionals for the job is essential.

What Is Fire Damage Restoration?

Fire damage restoration is the process of addressing the damage caused by fire, smoke, soot, and water to a property to return it to its pre-loss condition.

Unlike other restoration projects, restoring properties that suffered fire damage can take weeks or months, primarily because of the destructive nature of flames. However, other factors like corrosion and contamination due to smoke and water damage from the firefighting efforts can further complicate the situation and make the recovery process longer.

What’s Included in Fire Damage Restoration Services?

Knowing the primary inclusions of a fire damage restoration service can help ensure you’re receiving the solutions you deserve.

A reliable restoration company will have the expertise and equipment to cover the following:

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Before any fire damage cleaning is performed, professionals examine the structure to understand how far the flames and smoke have damaged it. This is also where they estimate how challenging or lengthy the restoration process will be.

After the inspection and damage assessment, full-service companies perform emergency repairs to secure the property throughout the restoration project. These repairs include boarding up broken windows and doors, installing a fence to keep trespassers out, and placing tarp covers on the roof to protect the interior from damaging natural elements.

Contents Pack Out and Storage

Fire restoration professionals then review the home’s contents to determine which ones can be salvaged and which have to be discarded. Items which can no longer be saved are automatically removed.

When sorting contents that can be restored, they generally decide whether to save or discard items by comparing costs. If getting a replacement proves to be more cost-efficient than restoring an item, the restoration team will properly remove and dispose of it.

Those deemed salvageable are then packed away and moved to a safe facility until your property is restored. Restoration 1 of Central Bucks County, for example, offers contents pack-out and restoration services to clean your prized possessions and keep them safe until your home is ready for you to move back in.

Water Extraction and Drying

Water damage follows fire damage. This is why a fire damage restoration service also typically includes removing excess water and drying the affected areas. More importantly, restoration experts perform these crucial tasks quickly to prevent further water damage and even bacterial growth.

Controlled Demolition

Once the building is dry, restoration professionals often perform a controlled demolition. This involves removing unsafe and irreparable components, including damaged drywall, flooring, ceilings, and other structures.

Getting these components out of the building allows the technicians to move around more freely. It also helps them stay safe as they repair and rebuild the property.

Soot and Smoke Cleanup and Decontamination

Harmful fire byproducts must be safely removed and professionally cleaned to restore the health and safety of a building damaged by a fire. This is why fire restoration services also include soot and smoke cleanup.

Professionals use proper cleaning agents to remove traces of soot and smoke from surfaces, remaining structures, appliances, and other items. They also know how to treat HVAC systems to remove harmful particles that may have become embedded in them.

Major and Minor Repairs

This final step in fire and smoke restoration includes all repairs needed to make a property livable again. Depending on the skills and expertise of your chosen restoration team, they may be able to handle minor repairs, like replacing walls and floors, to major works, like rebuilding damaged structures.

Why It’s Important to Hire Professionals for Fire Damage Restoration

Expertise and Experience

Professional fire damage restoration companies have teams of experienced technicians trained to assess and address the unique challenges of fire damage. They understand the intricacies of structural damage repair, smoke and soot removal, and water damage mitigation and can implement the most appropriate solutions to address every issue.

With their expertise and experience, minimizing further damage, resolving hidden problems, and restoring your property to its pre-fire state can become more manageable.

More Efficient Restoration

Time is of the essence when restoring properties after a fire. Delaying the process or using inefficient solutions can allow standing water and lingering smoke and soot residues to worsen the damage. Other issues like bacterial growth can also arise, making the restoration process more challenging.

Professional restoration companies are equipped with the necessary tools and techniques to work efficiently and return your home to a livable condition as soon as possible.

Safety and Health Concerns

Fire-damaged properties often pose safety hazards, including weakened structural integrity and electrical issues. Additionally, smoke and soot residues can deposit volatile organic compounds like benzene on walls, floors, and furniture, creating an unsafe environment.

One significant advantage of hiring professionals to restore your home after a fire is that you’re working with experts with the knowledge and equipment to handle these hazards safely. They also use specialized cleaning methods and agents to restore the indoor air quality and make your property safe to live in.

Insurance Claims Assistance

Dealing with insurance companies after a fire can be complex and time-consuming. Experienced teams have worked with various insurers after completing numerous restoration projects, so they can assist you in filing your claim.

Specifically, they can help you by documenting the damage, giving you detailed estimates, and working directly with insurance adjusters to ensure you receive a fair and timely settlement.

Such extensive support can alleviate stress and streamline the claims process, helping you get the necessary funds for your restoration project more quickly.

Don’t Delay Calling for Expert Help After a Fire

Should you ever experience a property fire, remember that the quicker you take action, the more you will be able to save as much of your home as possible. Especially with smoke, soot, and firewater still on your property, destruction will continue until professionals intervene.

Fortunately, you won’t have to wait until the morning to get expert assistance from Restoration 1 of Central Bucks County. We are a locally owned and operated team available 24/7 to respond to your emergencies and begin restoring your property to its pre-loss condition.

Contact our local restoration team immediately after a fire event. We’ll be with you within an hour to help you recover from this challenging situation and get things back in order.