When I was in junior high school (or, as the kids call it today, “middle school”), my mother made a move from working in the schools to partnering with her brother (my uncle) in a construction company. At that time, the general contractors typically worked with the insurance companies on a referral basis. My mother had solid relationships with several insurance companies and carriers, as well as with private adjusters who dealt with fire claims from Dallas to Detroit. All of which resulted in them becoming the go-to experts for fire and smoke restoration jobs.
There were times that my mother would go and do the physical work with her crews (who were primarily men) to do initial actions. She was truly a “Rosie the Riveter” of her industry!
Here are a few actions typically suggested to take in the fire restoration process:
- Contact Restoration Specialists
- Inspection and Assessment
- Board Up and Add Roof Tarps
- Water Removal
- Removal of Soot and Smoke Damage
- Clean and Sanitize
- Rebuild and Repairs
The insurance companies referred many of their clients to my family’s business, and times were good. However, that practice no longer exists because too many people were abusing the system (of course). As a result, contractors had to up their game and focus only on becoming fire and restoration professionals, which was a good thing!
When a reputable company sends out its skilled fire restoration experts to your home, their first step should be to make sure everything is safe and sound. They’ll do a thorough safety check to protect both your property and your family, uncovering any potential risks that may be lurking after a fire.
Should your home end up being damaged by a fire, your priority should be getting to a safe place. Reach out to a trusted contractor right away, and they’ll respond promptly to assess the safety of your home and take steps to prevent any further harm.
A few suggestions from The Red Cross:
- “Consult a professional about replacing drywall and insulation that has been soaked by water from fire hoses. It cannot be dried out and maintain structural integrity or resistance to mold and mildew.
- Pots, pans, flatware, etc., should be washed with soapy water, rinsed and then polished.
- Stuff purses and shoes with newspapers to retain shape. Leave suitcases open.
- Wear protective clothing, including work gloves and heavy soled shoes.
- Learn more about how to clean up after a home fire, including the supplies you’ll need, how to deal with contaminated food and water, and how to repair smoke and water damage.
- Follow public health guidance on safe cleanup of fire ash and safe use of masks.
- Wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles,”.
The aftermath of a fire brings dangerous situations like corrosive substances and harmful fumes – exactly why it’s crucial for experienced professionals to quickly identify and address these risks to keep you and your property out of harm’s way.
Fire smoke restoration procedures
When the fire restoration professionals are on-site and begin working, below is a list of possible actions they will take depending on the severity of your damages. Here’s a general checklist of to-dos to expect from a professional restoration company:
- Building and reconstruction
- Carpet cleaning
- Contents restoration
- Decorating
- Floor and carpet installation
- Carpentry: finish carpentry
- Duct cleaning
- Plumbing
- Safety inspections
- Board-up and roof tarping; roof repair
- Water removal and drying
- Fire extinguisher residue removal
- Smoke and soot removal; air purification
- Cleaning, repair, and rebuilding
- Structural and chemical damage repair
- Electrical and plumbing repairs
- Drywall hanging and repair; framing
- Emergency power generation and lighting
- Waste removal; dumpsters and debris haul-away
Fire restoration and construction services
Fire restoration and construction services overlap and work together closely to restore properties affected by fire incidents. While fire restoration specialists focus on cleaning up fire, smoke, and soot damage, construction services come in to rebuild and repair the property. They collaborate to ensure the safety of the property and its occupants, providing comprehensive restoration and construction solutions for fire-damaged properties.
After a fire, the first step is to secure the property, involving efforts like board-ups and adding roof tarps to protect it from further damage. Construction services are often responsible for this task because they have the expertise in safely securing property and preventing unauthorized access.
As the teams secure the property, fire restoration specialists come in to assess the damage and create a plan for restoration that identifies the areas affected by fire, smoke, and soot damage. They utilize specialized equipment and techniques to remove soot and smoke residue from surfaces, clean and sanitize affected areas, and deodorize the property.
During the restoration process, there might be a need for structural repairs or replacement of damaged components, such as:
- Rebuild walls
- Replace damaged flooring
- Repair electrical and plumbing systems
- Restore the property to its pre-fire condition
When working with professionals like my mother’s company, they should feel that your house is so much more than a claim number or financial investment. My mother believed that your home is where your family’s story is written – a sacred spot that should bring comfort and peace. That’s why she dedicated all of her talent and resources to helping her customers overcome obstacles and make their houses feel like home again.
What company cleans up after a fire?
Fire restoration and construction services work together to address water damage. After a fire incident, water used to extinguish the fire can cause additional damage to the property. Water removal and drying are crucial to prevent mold growth and further structural damage. Fire restoration specialists have the equipment and expertise to extract water, dry out affected areas, and prevent further damage.
In some cases, extensive fire damage may require more complex structural repairs or even reconstruction of certain areas of the property. Construction services play a vital role in assessing the structural integrity of the building and executing the necessary repairs or reconstruction, such as rebuilding damaged walls, replacing roof structures, repairing or reinstalling electrical and plumbing systems, and other structural repairs.
Fire restoration specialists and construction services work together to ensure the property’s and its occupants’ safety and well-being. They follow industry standards and regulations to restore the property to a safe and habitable condition.
It is worth noting that accredited and certified professionals should only perform fire restoration and construction services. These professionals have undergone proper training and have the necessary knowledge and experience to handle fire-related damage safely and effectively.
Fire damage clean up
In conclusion, hiring a professional fire restoration and construction company after a fire is crucial for ensuring your property’s safety and thorough restoration. These experts have the necessary training, equipment, and experience to clean up fire, smoke, and water damage, as well as repair and rebuild your property to its pre-fire condition.
