Fire Damage Restoration: Steps to Take Immediately After a Fire and What to Expect During the Restoration Process
At least one residential fire happens every two minutes in the United States. The annual damage costs more than $8 billion in home repairs.
Unfortunately, the risk factor goes beyond structural damage caused by the flames. Soot, smoke, and water intrusion from firefighting all create their own types of destruction.
The faster you respond, the more limited the damage will ultimately be. For many homeowners, the first 48 hours after a fire are the most impactful.
In this article, we take a look at what you should do immediately after a fire and how to handle the restoration process.
First Priority: Safety and Documentation
The first and most important step in the aftermath of a fire is, of course, to get to someplace safe and stay there.
Contact emergency services from a safe location outside of your home. They will handle the most immediate response of putting out the fire.
The fire department must also evaluate the structure itself before anyone else can enter it to ensure that any of the most emergent risk factors are not present.
Once this has been established, it’s time to document the damage and contact your insurance company.
They will be able to work with you for restoration purposes. It’s also important to secure the property, particularly broken windows and doors, to prevent further weather damage when possible.
Take Proper Precautions
It’s important, even after the fire has been put out, to wear protective gear to avoid respiratory illness.
Smoke particles and soot can remain active in the air for many days after a fire. N95 masks, coupled with gloves, long sleeves, and sturdy boots, will all help protect you from the majority of risks.
As you document damage, be sure to stay clear of electrical systems, which may have received damage from firefighting.
Do not clean up anything. Do not try to retrieve items. Be mindful of the fact that fires may sometimes reemerge for up to 24 hours after the initial incident has occurred.
Once the area has been completely documented, you can move forward with restoration services and insurance filing to begin the recovery process.
Understanding Fire Damage Categories
There are several different types of fire damage, some of which are less obvious than you might expect. These include:
- Primary fire damage: The easiest to notice. Primary fire damage impacts areas that have been directly touched by flame contact. Melted materials, charred woods, and structural burns that require replacement are all examples. It could also involve areas damaged by heat, including warped materials, cracked glass, blistered surfaces, and so on.
- Secondary smoke and soot damage: Smoke and soot can very literally penetrate certain surfaces, including drywall, upholstery, clothing, and more. Not only does this create unpleasant smells and dangerous air conditions, but it can also slowly degrade materials over time by increasing their acidity.
- Tertiary water damage: Firefighters use hundreds to thousands of gallons of water to put out a fire. This can create unsafe moisture levels, mold, mildew, and additional structural damage if it is not treated quickly.
While every situation is unique, it is typical for even a small fire to result in all three types of damage.
The Professional Restoration Process
Once a restoration team has arrived at the property, the first thing they’ll do is secure the premises by boarding up windows, tarping over damaged roofs, and blocking off unsafe areas.
From there, they’ll perform a comprehensive inspection, often using structural engineers to determine the extent of the damage, what can be restored, and what must be replaced.
All of this is done in coordination with your insurance company. Many restoration companies handle this on your behalf so you can focus on caring for yourself and your family.
One of the first critical steps is industrial-grade water removal and drying using pumps, dehumidifiers, and moisture monitoring equipment. This protects your home from the long-term risks of standing water. The team then moves on to soot and smoke removal using HEPA vacuums, chemical sponges, and industrial-grade cleaners. This is coupled with:
- Thermal fogging
- Ozone treatment
- Hydroxyl generators
- Air scrubbers
These methods help remove lingering odors resulting from the fire.
Structural Restoration
Structural restoration is often the longest part of the process. It can take several days or even many months, depending on the extent of the damage.
Everything from the studs out may require repair or replacement. Between permitting requirements, sourcing materials, and insurance approvals, the timeline can be lengthy, but it’s essential that everything is done correctly.
Once all restoration and repair work is complete, the teams perform a final walk-through to ensure all dust and debris have been removed.
A final air quality test is conducted to verify there are no lingering smoke particles or odors. The total damage repair costs can range from several thousand dollars to several hundred thousand.
During this time, homeowners will typically need separate living arrangements, which are usually covered by insurance.
Conclusion
House fires are a traumatic experience, no matter how big or small. While there will be challenges ahead, it helps to have a restoration team that you know and trust at AMH Restoration. No job is too big or too small.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.
