House fires can be really devastating. As a homeowner, you need to take immediate measures to protect your house from further damage from any remaining soot and debris after the fire is extinguished. If soot sits for too long, it can cause damage that’s deemed beyond repair.
Are you a homeowner who’s in need of fire damage restoration services in the Twin Cities metro area? Follow these steps to quickly restore as much of your home as possible in the aftermath of a fire.
What are some steps to take to repair your home after fire damage occurs?
#1 Confirm The Stability Of The Property And Understand Whether It Is Safe Or Not
As soon as the fire is extinguished and the situation is under control, have a fire damage restoration professional confirm whether the property is safe for entering or not. The professional would examine the entire house and ensure whether there is any sort of structural damage caused to the property or not. If yes, then the safety of the house is compromised, and it is not safe to work in potentially risky situations. You can enter the property only when the professional house inspectors deem the property to be safe.
After examining the entire property, the fire restoration damage professional would typically immediately hire structural damage repair professionals to eliminate potential risks. The structural damage professionals would once again assess the condition of the walls, roof, the foundation of the property, and the floor and fix any damages. They would also replace damaged structures with new ones so that the place is safe for the fire restoration professional to work in.
#2 Fire Damage Professionals Get Rid Of The Water
Fire damage restoration professionals would initially focus on getting rid of the water (used by firemen) that has since become stagnant. If you are not removing the water quickly, it will keep damaging the furniture and other structures in or of the house. Besides this, water that remains stagnant can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Once the water has been removed, the professional would remove all items that are wet, such as carpets, drywall, rugs, and also wooden furniture; These things are usually damaged beyond repair and need to be discarded.
Apart from this, fire restoration professionals would examine other things, and if they can be repaired, they are sent out for repair. When the house is completely empty, the professionals would make use of dehumidifiers and fans to further dry the area.
#3 Remove Soot And Debris From The House
Soot and debris removal is quite essential because if it is not done, it will start damaging the surface of the floor, walls, furniture, and various other things. The remaining soot also causes respiratory issues. Hence, it is quite important to get rid of the tiny particles of soot to avoid major problems. Professionals make use of heavy-duty vacuum cleaners to clear out all the soot and clean the area in general.
#4 Get Rid Of The Smoke Odor
Even after soot and burned debris have been cleared out of your home, the thick odor of smoke will remain. Smoke permeates drywall, wood, fabric, and insulation. Because of this, removing the smoke odor from a building is one of the greatest challenges faced after a fire breaks out.
Fire restoration professionals will use large fans to remove as much of the smoke and its odor as possible. From here, your fire damage repair company in the Twin Cities will make use of smoke-cleaning and deodorizing products to fully remove this foul stench from your home.
#5 Complete Structural Repairs
With the smoke and soot cleared out, the next step is for your Twin Cities fire damage restoration team to repair the actual structure of your home. Fire can destroy drywall, flooring, insulation, and infrastructure like plumbing and electricity. Your restoration contractor will need to complete thorough repairs in all these areas, enlisting the aid of specialists if needed. You won’t be able to safely return to the home until structural integrity has been sufficiently restored.
#6 Restore Your Belongings
Unfortunately, some of your belongings were likely damaged beyond repair if a fire swept through your home. The good news is that there may also be quite a few belongings that are salvageable. Things like furniture and clothes will need to be dry cleaned to remove smoke odor and stains, but may be in good shape otherwise. Your fire damage restoration company in the Twin Cities metro area can advise you on which items can be saved and which can not, and will assist with the restoration process.
Expert Fire Damage Restoration Solutions in the Twin Cities
It is extremely depressing to witness your house being affected by a house fire, but when you hire the best fire damage restoration professionals, you should be able to get your house back to its original condition. The professionals at Arko Restoration Services are experts and would do all the important things that need to be done after a fire. If you’ve just experienced a house fire, call Arko Restoration at 763-434-2756.