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TIPS FOR HANDLING A FIRE DAMAGE

Property owners should have some basic knowledge of what to do first in the event of fire damage.

Even if the fire department doesn't declare your property damage to be "catastrophic," the aftermath of a house fire is devastating. It's hard for property owners to know what to do once the fire marshall leaves, and you're on your own.

1. CALL A FIRE DAMAGE EXPERT

It can sometimes take days for your insurance company to send out an adjuster and suggest a restoration plan, but you don't have to wait. It's beneficial and advisable to contact a fire damage restoration company like ServiceMaster immediately. They'll be there within an hour to help you figure out what to do next and how to talk to your insurance company.

2. PACK UP ANY VALUABLES, IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Because smoke damage creates a highly toxic living environment, very often you'll need to temporarily relocate until at least some smoke/soot cleanup is performed. If possible, salvage and pack any valuables or important documents (insurance policies, financial records, etc.) to take with you.

3. STAY SAFE

Do not touch anything soot-damaged with your bare hands; fire residue is a biohazard. Do not use electric appliances until they've been assessed for safety. If you still have power, make sure your HVAC system is off so the smoke and soot doesn't spread through to unaffected areas of the house.

4. CONTACT SERVICEMASTER PROFESSIONAL RESTORATION TO HELP YOU WITH

THE RESTburned kitchen with soot

Our family and crew has been helping residents for decades if they ever experience a property loss caused by fire.

Beyond the first 24 hours after the fire itself, there may be days or weeks of cleanup, repair, and reconstruction ahead. We will stay by your side through it all and make sure your property and your normal life is restored as soon as possible.

  • Full-Service Fire Damage Restoration, Start-to-Finish
  • Skilled, Licensed Tradespeople
  • Insurance Claims Assistance, Documentation
  • Workmanship Guarantee - We Stand By Our Work

What can be salvaged after a fire?

When a fire devastates a home or business, it can be difficult to know what is salvageable and what needs to be replaced. However, with proper planning and the help of professionals, there are many items that can still be saved after a fire.

First and foremost, if you have valuable items such as jewelry or documents stored in safes or other containers made from metal alloys like steel or titanium they may survive the blaze intact. Similarly, electronics like computers, TVs, and gaming systems should also remain unscathed provided they were not directly exposed to flames for an extended period of time. These devices will need professional cleaning before being used again however as the smoke residue is highly corrosive when left unchecked over time.

In addition, furniture made out of hardwood such as tables, chairs, and dressers may still retain their structural integrity even though their surfaces might require refinishing due to possible charring from exposure to heat during the incident. Carpets on the other hand usually cannot withstand direct contact with a flame so these will most likely need replacing entirely unless only minor portions were affected by smoke damage. The same goes for fabrics, curtains, and upholstery which are often irreparably damaged beyond repair during fires.

Finally, some appliances such as ovens, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and HVAC systems could potentially work once cleaned properly by certified technicians who specialize in this type of job. Keep in mind that any wiring inside them would have been compromised so caution must always be taken when dealing with electrical components post-fire clean-up efforts!