When I was a young teenager, my mother made the move from working in the schools to partnering with her brother (my uncle) in a construction company. At that time, the general contractors typically worked with the insurance companies on a referral basis. My mother had solid relationships with several insurance companies and carriers, which resulted in them becoming the go-to experts for fire and smoke restoration jobs.
There were times that my mother would go and do the physical work with her crews (who were primarily men) to do initial actions. She was truly a “Rosie the Riveter” of her industry!
Here are a few actions typically suggested to take in the fire restoration process:
- Contact Restoration Specialists
- Inspection and Assessment
- Board Up and Add Roof Tarps
- Water Removal
- Removal of Soot and Smoke Damage
- Clean and Sanitize
- Rebuild and Repairs
The insurance companies referred many of their clients to my family’s business, and times were good. However, that practice no longer exists because too many people were abusing the system (of course), and as a result, contractors had to up their game and focus only on becoming fire and restoration professionals, which was a good thing!
Today, when accredited companies send highly trained fire restoration experts to your home, they should start by performing a rigorous safety inspection to ensure that your property and family are safe and to uncover any hidden dangers that are present or could arise in the future.
If your home has experienced fire damage, prioritize your safety by moving to a secure location and reaching out to an accredited contractor immediately. They will arrive quickly to conduct a thorough safety assessment and initiate crucial measures to prevent any further damage.
Given that corrosive substances and hazardous fumes resulting from fire damage pose significant risks to both you and your property, it’s essential for your chosen experts to detect and start addressing these dangers quickly.
Fire restoration and construction services
Fire restoration and construction services overlap and work together closely to restore properties affected by fire incidents. While fire restoration specialists focus on cleaning up fire, smoke, and soot damage, construction services come in to rebuild and repair the property. They collaborate to ensure the safety of the property and its occupants, providing comprehensive restoration and construction solutions for fire-damaged properties.
After a fire, the first step is to secure the property, involving efforts like board-ups and adding roof tarps to protect it from further damage. While construction services are often responsible for this task, as they have the expertise in safely securing the property and preventing unauthorized access.
As the teams secure the property, fire restoration specialists come in to assess the damage and create a plan for restoration that identifies the areas affected by fire, smoke, and soot damage. They utilize specialized equipment and techniques to remove soot and smoke residue from surfaces, clean and sanitize affected areas, and deodorize the property.
During the restoration process, there might be a need for structural repairs or replacement of damaged components, such as:
- Rebuild walls
- Replace damaged flooring
- Repair electrical and plumbing systems
- Restore the property to its pre-fire condition
When choosing real professionals, expect to be backed by a highly trained, dedicated support team which comprises a superintendent, project manager, and insurance liaison. Additionally, they should have client service and administrative support professionals who are committed to keeping you informed and satisfied, and empowering you and your family.
When working with professionals, like my mother’s company, they should feel that your house is so much more than a claim number or financial investment. She felt your home is where your family’s story is written, and it’s a place that should bring you comfort and peace. That’s why she dedicated all of her talent and resources to helping her customers overcome, and to make their house feel like home again.
Fire smoke restoration procedures
When fire restoration professionals in the field go to work, your dedicated support team – comprising a project management, insurance claims negotiation, client service, and administrative support professionals – they work diligently behind the scenes to determine the best course of action for your unique situation and to help you and your family return to stability as quickly as possible.
Here’s a general checklist of to-do’s for a pro restoration company:
- Building and reconstruction
- Carpet cleaning
- Contents restoration
- Decorating
- Floor and carpet installation
- Carpentry; finish carpentry
- Duct cleaning
- Plumbing
- Safety inspections
- Board-up and roof tarping; roof repair
- Water removal and drying
- Fire extinguisher residue removal
- Smoke and soot removal; air purification
- Cleaning, repair, and rebuilding
- Structural and chemical damage repair
- Electrical and plumbing repairs
- Drywall hanging and repair; framing
- Emergency power generation and lighting
- Waste removal; dumpsters and debris haul-away
What company cleans up after a fire?
Fire restoration and construction services work together to address water damage. After a fire incident, water used to extinguish the fire can cause additional damage to the property. Water removal and drying are crucial to prevent mold growth and further structural damage. Fire restoration specialists have the equipment and expertise to extract water, dry out affected areas, and prevent further damage.
In some cases, extensive fire damage may require more complex structural repairs or even reconstruction of certain areas of the property. Construction services play a vital role in assessing the structural integrity of the building and executing the necessary repairs or reconstruction. This may involve rebuilding damaged walls, replacing roof structures, repairing or reinstalling electrical and plumbing systems, and other structural repairs.
Fire restoration specialists and construction services work together to ensure the property’s and its occupants’ safety and well-being. They follow industry standards and regulations to restore the property to a safe and habitable condition.
It is worth noting that accredited and certified professionals should only perform fire restoration and construction services. These professionals have undergone proper training and have the necessary knowledge and experience to handle fire-related damage safely and effectively.
Who cleans up after a fire?
In conclusion, hiring a professional fire restoration and construction company after a fire is crucial for ensuring your property’s safety and thorough restoration. These experts have the necessary training, equipment, and experience to clean up fire, smoke, and water damage, as well as repair and rebuild your property to its pre-fire condition.