There are few things more emotionally devastating than a house fire. During this tragedy, families lose priceless keepsakes, important documents, and in many cases, a sense of security. Life is never the same.
After a fire, it’s important to secure a reputable fire restoration company that will lead the way in getting you back into your house. First Call specializes in helping families get back into their homes as quickly and as safely as possible. Our experience spans decades, and we’re the most trusted company in the region.
But how do fire damage restoration companies make your home safe again? When is it safe to return home after a house fire? We provide vital information you need to know to protect your family.
Remember: Often It’s What You Can’t See That Can Cause Issues
Local authorities will let you know when it’s safe to enter your home after a fire. However, you should be aware that your house is far from habitable—this is not the “go ahead” to resume your life as normal.
The majority of fire damage is obvious, but the issues caused by soot and smoke are much easier to overlook. They are incredibly detrimental to your health. They can also cause long-term problems to the structure of your home.
Smoke and ash permeate everything during a fire, and they leave a toxic residue that was caused by the flames.
Your home is not completely safe until after all fire damage restoration has taken place. This is why you need a reliable home restoration company such as First Call.
Some Tips on Returning Home After a Fire
Returning home after a fire can be traumatic, so we’ve compiled some advice to help you:
- Whatever you do, don’t go past the yellow caution tape until authorities say it’s okay to do so. Look to the area building inspector for more information.
- If you have children, it’s a good idea to let them stay with a friend or relative. Seeing this damage firsthand can be incredibly upsetting for them and could lead to anxiety and nightmares.
- Be wary of broken glass or loose power lines on the outside. These can be a sign of more serious issues inside your home.
- Do not force open doors that are jammed. This could cause more problems.
- If you smell natural or propane gas, or have any concern that there is a gas leak in your home, leave immediately and contact the fire department.
- Limit the amount of time you spend in the house. Smoke and soot can contain toxic fumes that are unnoticeable, but still pose a danger to your health.
- Realize that animals such as rodents and snakes may be in your home, particularly if windows were damaged.
- Depending upon the extent of the damage, don’t lean on or sit on furniture that may be unstable.
- If your ceiling is sagging, that means it could be heavy from water damage. That makes it very dangerous and it will need to be replaced. This is one example of why you could need home restoration companies such as First Call to help you.
[Related article: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Fire Restoration Company]
What Happens During Fire Damage Restoration?
You’ve experienced enough stress and heartache. House fires—whether they cause minimal damage or if they’ve spread through an entire floor—are frightening. Extensive damage can be emotionally devastating.
We Work With Your Insurance Company
Remember, First Call will not only take care of all your fire damage restoration, but we’ll also work closely with your insurance company. This means we’ll provide photographic documentation so you don’t have to. We’ve worked closely with insurance companies since 1989. Let us take away the headache of this tedious—and often stressful—process.
We Ensure the Foundation Is Safe
Before any restoration work can begin, we have to assess the extent of the damage. While some house fires are small, larger ones may have caused extensive damage that may not be immediately evident.
Therefore, our first priority is to ensure that no more problems occur. This often means an inspection if walls, floors, or roof are singed or have water damage.
We Check for Possible Leaks
Simply taking a glance at the damage doesn’t mean you’ll identify every leak and crack. If not, when it rains, your house could suffer even more problems. First Call does a careful evaluation to be sure moisture isn’t seeping into your home. Undiscovered moisture can pave the way for mold damage later.
We Complete a Deep Cleaning
Soot and smoke cannot be removed on your own. While it may visibly disappear, it’s still lurking within the walls and floors of your home. As mentioned earlier, these contain toxic fumes that can put you and your whole family at risk. Getting rid of it often involves a deep scrub, sanding and refinishing.
Water damage often accompanies smoke damage. This means we will get rid of all the moisture before we sanitize everything. Time is of the essence because the last thing you want is to have pockets of mold creeping into your home.
Then, it’s equally important to remove all the odors that linger long after the fire is put out. This means cleaning the upholstery and the carpet.
We Repair Walls and Ceilings
Did you know that fire bubbles and blisters paint? This means repairs consist of much more than merely placing another coat on top of it.
The paint must be scraped and the area beneath carefully checked for damage. This is particularly important when it comes to wood surfaces.
First Call Is the Right Call When it Comes to Home Restoration Companies
First Call is proudly family-owned and operated, providing the highest quality services for the entire region. We care for your house with dignity and respect. It may sound old-fashioned, but we still believe in the Golden Rule. In every interaction with our customers, we treat them the way we would like to be treated.
We’re only satisfied when we exceed your expectations.
If your home has had fire damage, we consider it a privilege to help you get back into your house safely and as quickly as possible. All you have to do is contact us for a free inspection.
