What to Do After a Fire
Household disasters, such as a fire, can strike unexpectedly. To ensure the safety of your loved ones and safeguard your property, it’s important to be well-informed and prepared.
At Kiser Construction, we understand the challenges you face after a fire and are here to guide you through the restoration journey. The following will provide you with what you need to know in the aftermath of a fire, empowering you to effectively handle the situation.
Here are some necessary steps to take after a house fire:
You’ll be tempted to try to go back inside your home to collect precious belongings after the flames are out. Ensure the safety of yourself and your family by waiting for the authorities to deem it safe to re-enter your home. Follow their instructions and avoid touching or moving any damaged items.
After a fire, contact your insurance provider immediately to inquire about what your homeowner’s insurance covers. File your claim as quickly as you can, as all homeowner’s insurance policies require property owners to report their losses as promptly as possible. Then contact Kiser Construction as your trusted restoration provider so we can begin the remediation process as quickly as possible.
When a fire ravages your home, damage from the flames isn’t the only thing you’ll need to worry about. Smoke from the fire can also cause significant damage to the items and surfaces inside your house. When firefighters arrive, the water they use to extinguish the flames can also cause significant water damage unless you make swift remediation efforts.
To control water damage as much as you possibly can, prompt action is critical. This is where you’d call our 24/7 emergency response line at 612-518-8852. We specialize in both fire restoration and water restoration to provide comprehensive remediation services in the aftermath of a household disaster.
Utilize the services of a reputable fire damage restoration company like Kiser Construction. We can arrive on site quickly and immediately get to work assessing the extent of the damage. We’ll locate a number of issues and dangers, including:
- Key hazardous areas within the property
- Areas that will require more intensive restoration efforts
- Areas that likely suffered water damage during the extinguishing process
- Areas that suffered smoke damage and require more intensive cleaning
- Areas that must be tarped or boarded up to protect the home from further damage
If necessary, our contractors will then begin boarding and tarping vulnerable areas to help protect any remaining belongings inside the building. Once everything is secure, we’ll begin the water removal process to eliminate any standing water that may be leftover from firefighters.
Afterwards, we will assess the extent of the damage and develop a comprehensive restoration plan, and provide you with a detailed estimate.
Once you get the green light that it’s safe to enter your home, you can go ahead and start collecting any possessions you can salvage. If you don’t desperately need anything from inside your house, our restoration team will help you handle this task as we move forward with the restoration process.
If there’s substantial smoke damage in the house, it’s always best to leave your belongings until the contents cleaning and smoke damage cleanup teams finish their work. Since smoke residue contains multiple toxic chemicals, handling smoke-damaged items or even spending considerable time in a soot-filled building can put your health at risk.
You’ll need to find a temporary place to live while the fire restoration contractors complete their work. Most homeowner’s insurance policies entitle you to reimbursement for your living expenses while you’re outside of your home. This means you can claim your hotel bill, meal expenses, and any other additional living costs above and beyond what you’d normally pay while living at home.
With your permission, the restoration team will move forward with structural drying to eliminate any remaining surface moisture from the building. Using high-powered fans, dehumidifiers, and other commercial drying equipment, the team will dry the area as quickly as possible to prevent further structural deterioration and mold proliferation.
When surface moisture in the building reaches the appropriate level, the team will proceed with smoke damage cleanup and contents cleaning. They’ll clean up ashes, soot, char marks, smoke residue, and any other signs of smoke residue and odor on the surfaces within your home.
If any of your possessions sustained smoke damage, the contents cleaning team will thoroughly clean any residue and odors from those items as well. Keep in mind, though, that some of your belongings may not be salvageable if they sustained extensive damage.
Your insurance policy should provide reimbursement for damaged possessions, so be sure to keep a running list of those items throughout the remediation process.
We specialize in home remodeling services to provide comprehensive services for our clients. It’s usually in your best interest to let your restoration contractors handle any necessary home renovations too.
If portions of your home require reconstruction, get an estimate from us for the rebuild as soon as you can. The sooner you get this information to your insurance company, the faster you can proceed with the reconstruction process and move back into your home.
For more resources on fire damage, check out our blog.
Why Choose Kiser Construction?
- 24/7 Emergency Response
- IICRC Certified
- Insurance Assistance
- Locally Owned & Operated
- Quality Products & Craftsmanship
- Affordable Rates
- Free Inspections
- A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating
- Over 20 Years of Experience
At Kiser Construction, we prioritize your safety and well-being. Our experienced team is dedicated to exceeding your expectations and providing you with peace of mind throughout the fire restoration process. If your property has been affected by a fire, don’t delay in seeking professional restoration services.
If you need immediate assistance, please call us on our 24/7 emergency line at 612-518-8852. To learn more about how we can help, give us a call today at 763-633-2010 or fill out our contact form.