Fire Damage Restoration For Businesses And Homes

2/23/2018 (Permalink)

Trash can fire

A fire at your business or in your home can mean major losses. If a fire starts, remember to stay calm and act rationally. Having quick access to a written plan of the steps you need to take after fire damage can save precious time and keep your fire damage losses down.   

 After the fire in your business or home is put out, take precautionary measures to prevent injury and further losses. Your best bet is often to call a fire damage restoration company.  Or you may want to handle the fire damage restoration yourself. If so, here are some steps to consider:

1. Think long and hard before deciding not to use an emergency fire damage restoration service

Nearly every corner in the country now has 24/7 access to an experienced, professional fire damage service like SERVPRO of Howell/Wall. Companies like ours help reduce the fire, smoke, and soot damage at businesses and in private residences. Involving the fire damage restoration professionals also reduces the risk of injury. The professionals have the right equipment and training to safely deal with the aftermath of a fire. Commercial fire damage usually results in a lot of smoke smell. Smoke smell can be a health hazard to anyone working in or near the premises. Commercial fire damage services can help to quickly get rid of the smoke damage.

2. Evaluate the extent of the fire damage

You’ll want a complete and accurate assessment of all damage so you can determine how much it will cost you to restore your business or home. An accurate fire damage assessment will quicken the process of restoration. Speeding the process allows you to get back to your daily activities in the shortest time possible. For businesses this means less business interruption, less revenue loss, and a greater chance of recovering the full extent of your business.

Understanding the level of fire damage will also help you determine what items you need to get rid of. This will help to reduce the smoke smell in your business or home. Your insurance company will also want a full and accurate assessment of  fire damage so they can pay your claim efficiently.

For professional fire, smoke, and soot restoration call SERVPRO Of Howell/Wall at (732) 355-3517.

3. Prevent further damage
   
   Evaluate beyond the area that seems to be fire damaged. Take a good look at your entire property. Sometimes business owners or homeowners miss a burned window or a damaged roof. If you don’t find all the fire damage you risk leaving conditions that could lead to further fire damage. One example is holes in the roof. They are particularly dangerous and must be addressed before people move back into the business or home. Another example is missing a water pipe or water tap that’s suffered damage. Check all your utilities, including your water. If you notice any leaking taps or pipes, seal them to prevent further damage.
   
   4. Start fire damage restoration 
   
   Sometimes a fire’s flames and heat do less damage than the smoke and soot the fire creates. Breathing in smoke can be hazardous. Soot can invade porous surfaces and damage furniture, carpets, drapes, and other valuable items. Commercial fire damage companies know how to clean up soot and smoke damage. The longer you wait to deal with soot and smoke the more damage they can do.  
   
   The smell caused by smoke damage is not very easy to get rid of, especially if you decide to handle the restoration process yourself. To do this, you might have to dispose of badly burned items. Soot damage will usually coat items such as curtains, and these might need to be washed thoroughly. Also, soot damage affects the solid surfaces of your home. These will need to be cleaned using a solution made up of vinegar, dish soap, and water. If the carpets and furniture are not badly burned, you should clean them using a HEPA vacuum. This is more effective in getting rid of the smoke damage since the particles are not blown back into your home environment. Finally, you should use an exhaust fan to remove the smoke smell in your building. 
   
   For professional fire, smoke, and soot restoration call SERVPRO Of Howell/Wall at (732) 355-3517.

And what about water? The fire cleanup process often involves getting rid of standing water. If any pipes or tanks were affected by the soot damage, you will need to purify the water before you use it. Don’t risk getting poisoned. 

In the process of fire cleanup, you should be careful not to touch any wires that may have been affected by the fire, or water.

5. See if professionals can save valuable items that appear destroyed

After a fire some items will probably have to be thrown away. But sometimes what looks like an item that is not salvageable can be restored by professionals. Books, leather items, and other valuables might fit into this category.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Howell/Wall has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Howell/Wall at (732) 355-3517 day or night, 365 days a year! We are here to help when disaster strikes and make it "Like it never even happened."