Before your fire damage restoration contractor can even enter the property to assess the extent of fire damage, they must first receive the official go ahead from a licensed authority.
Otherwise, a contractor could be entering an unsafe situation and risk injury.
After they’ve been granted access to the property, here’s a typical look at how the fire damage restoration process is carried out from there:
- Assessment of Damage – After first confirming the property is safe to enter, the first thing a fire damage contractor must do is perform an assessment of the damage sustained in the fire and ensuing water intrusion. This typically involves assessing how far the flames and smoke have penetrated the structure and how extensive any cleanup is likely to be. This step also involves assessment of the contents inside of the property to determine what should be discarded and what can be packed out and restored. At the end of a thorough assessment, the restoration company will have a better idea of the scope of the work, how long it will take and can begin formulating a cost estimate.
- Security of Property & Debris Removal – After the assessment has been performed, the next step is securing the property. This includes installing fencing around the property, removing debris around the perimeter, and boarding up openings in the structure, as well as tarping or sealing off parts of the roof to protect what’s left of the property from the weather. If certain areas of the property were not impacted by the fire, then it’s important for restoration professionals to ensure that this area is sealed off from the area that was impacted to minimize any cross contamination.
- Demolition, Water Mitigation & Dry Out – The goal during this stage is to prevent further damage due to mold or corrosion by removing water and drying out the property. Personal property will be removed from the interior of the structure. Damaged drywall, flooring and other materials will be removed down to the studs as necessary. Water extraction crews will work with commercial equipment to dry out the structure. Roof tarps will be maintained during this stage to prevent further intrusion of water.
- Clean Up & Smoke Removal – This is the most intensive part of a fire damage restoration job: clean up. This step typically involves a lot of manual labor to properly clean smoke and soot from interior and exterior surfaces. In many cases, every inch of the affected area will need to be cleaned. Following proper clean up, deodorizing agents are used to fully remove any lingering smoke odors. If water damage restoration has also been performed, it may be necessary to sanitize or apply antimicrobial chemicals to halt any subsequent mold growth. Off site, any contents that have been packed out are also likely being restored to pre-loss condition. Clean up also involves duct cleaning to remove any soot, smoke or debris that may have settled in ducts.
- Construction & Restoration – The final step in returning the property to pre-loss condition is performing any necessary fire damage repairs or to rebuild fire-damaged areas. In the case of a fire, parts of the structure may be completely unsalvageable during the initial assessment, and therefore must be removed and replaced. This may include rebuilding and replacing the roof, replacing electrical, replacing, and painting drywall, replacing flooring materials, replacing interior counters, fixtures, etc. to bring the property back to pre-loss condition.
What a Fire Damage Restoration Company Does
A fire damage restoration company, like New Vision Property Management, is here to respond — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year — to fire damage emergencies.
Good, credible fire damage restoration companies are always on call.
Ready to respond same day to a property disaster to assess damage, secure the property, and begin water mitigation services.
Fire damage repair companies will also work together your insurance company to help with the claims process.