Fires can occur at any time. From cooking, electrical, appliances, candles, chimneys and as we have been reminded recently; even wildfires can be the source that turns a home to cinder. Where these events are a very stressful time for most homeowners to endure once everyone is safe there are priorities you need to do ensure your home is fully restored. We at Anytime Remodeling & Design would like to take the opportunity to elaborate on fire damage restoration.
Tips for Rebuilding a Fire Damaged Home
1) Call Professional Fire Damage Restoration Contractors. The most important step and your top priority is to call a professional. The contractor can assess the damage, give you estimates, and begin the cleanup process. Your home insurance policy owner should be contacted next, or first if you want referrals. You want to ensure the company you ultimately hire is fully licensed and insured and has experience and references when it comes to fire damage restoration. These people are completely trained to handle this specific damage type and help you through the cleanup process including the following basics.
– Salvaging as many of your home and personal belongings; like furniture, appliances, and clothing.
– Documenting by taking pictures and/or keeping written records as to everything they remove from your home.
– After the fire restoration is complete, returning any salvageable furniture and appliances back to your home.
– Professional contractors will stay in communication with you and let you know an update of each process of cleanup and construction.
2) Fire Damage Cleanup. There are some small tasks you can do to help minimize the initial damage before the professionals come in to do the major cleanup. Safety is always the most important element and you should only be proactive if you can get in and out of the house. Wear protective clothing, long sleeves, pants, work gloves, respiratory protection, like a mask to avoid serious health risks. You can start the following:
Ventilating: Open up all the windows to help air out your house as frequently and as long as possible. Box fans can help force out dust and contaminated air. Professionals will use industrial-strength fans and other air-moving equipment to ensure the contaminated air pushed out.
Cleaning: You can scrub all the surfaces, including inside the cabinets and drawers with warm soapy water. Use an alkaline cleaner to neutralize the acid that’s found in soot, this will also help reduce the smoky smell.
Laundry: Start washing bedding, curtains, clothing, and anything machine washable. Delicates should be taken to the dry cleaner, and make sure they can specialize smoke exposure.
Using industrial-grade products and equipment, professionals smoke removal and restoration companies will thoroughly cleanup.
3) Rebuilding After a Fire. After the smoke and fire damage is cleaned up, all of the affected surfaces removed, the renovations can commence. Rebuilding your home is the next step and working with your insurance company and contractor; your home can be restored or remodeled to be even better than it was before! When the fire is severe, it is often recommended that the entire house be demolished and rebuilt from the ground up as the intense heat can weaken the structure and other surfaces. These weakened materials can make the home hazardous which is why most homes that have been severely damaged will be torn down and completely rebuilt.
Fire Damage Restoration, Home Remodeling & More in Agoura Hills, Reseda, Tarzana, Valley Village, North Hollywood, Encino, Studio City, Beverly Hills, Van Nuys & Sherman Oaks & West Los Angeles, California
Discoloration on walls and ceilings, dark stains from smoke on surfaces, odors, and other manifestations continue to build the longer the soot and smoke residues remain, causing more damage. Getting assistance and cleanup is crucial. Call Anytime Remodeling & Design and let our experts take care of you!