Cleaning & Restoration Solutions
It’s hard to imagine the damage and destruction a fire can leave in its wake. Even small ones can require extensive fire damage repair and restoration.
Hopefully, you’ll never have to deal with picking up the pieces after a damaging fire. But unfortunately, we won’t all be so lucky. In 2018, there were more than 1.3 million fires in America, resulting in $25 billion in losses. On average, a home fire occurs every 87 seconds in the United States.
It’s important to be prepared. Here are three steps you can take toward fire damage repair and restoration after a fire:
- Beware of health hazards
- Consider smoke damage
- Call a fire damage restoration company
Recovering from a fire can feel overwhelming, but taking the right steps immediately after the incident can help protect your health, preserve salvageable belongings, and reduce long-term damage to your property.
1. Beware of Health Hazards
Some people mistakenly believe that once a fire is put out, the danger is gone. However, homes that have suffered from fire damage can contain many hidden health hazards.
House fires typically release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These are harmful to breathe in; some can even cause cancer. You shouldn’t re-enter your home after a fire until the fire department declares that it’s safe to do so.
If you have to re-enter your home for whatever reason, make sure you’re wearing appropriate protective gear. Keep in mind that if you have to board up your home after a fire, it will take even longer for VOCs to exit the house.
You’ll also need to make safe decisions about which items in your home you can keep and which ones you need to let go. Think first about the essentials:
- Food:Throw away any open containers of food in your cupboards and cabinets. If any food has been exposed to heat, water, or smoke, then throw it away, regardless of if it’s open or not. If your refrigerator lost power during or after the fire, then throw away all of the food in your fridge.
- Medicine:Carefully inspect any medicine you’re hoping to keep. If there are any signs of smoke damage or fire extinguisher residue, it’s best to throw it away.
- Clothing:Throw away any clothing that has been burned or has soot on it. Remember, some toxins can enter the body through the skin.
Even after the flames are extinguished, water used to put out the fire can create additional restoration challenges. Excess moisture left behind may lead to mold growth, structural damage, and lingering odors if the property is not dried properly.
Learn more about what to expect during water damage restoration if firefighting efforts have left your home with water damage.
2. Consider Smoke Damage
Your first priority after a fire is making sure everyone you love is safe. But after everyone is accounted for, what will you focus on next?
Your thoughts may turn to your possessions, especially any valuables or keepsakes you’re hoping to salvage. As you learn more about the extent of the damage, you may consider what essentials you’ll need until your home is restored.
It may take a while before you start thinking about your home itself. Don’t delay for too long. Smoke damage sets in quickly and needs to be handled in a timely manner.
Smoke particles can seep into your walls, floors, curtains, furniture, bedding, and more, allowing the smell of smoke to linger for months after the fire. The sooner you address smoke damage, the more likely you won’t have to deal with long-lasting or permanent smoke damage issues.
Smoke damage often extends far beyond the room where the fire started. Smoke particles can travel through HVAC systems, wall cavities, and other hidden spaces, affecting indoor air quality throughout the home.
The longer smoke residue remains on surfaces, the more difficult it can become to remove odors and staining completely.
What Should You Do Immediately After a House Fire?
After a house fire, your first priority should always be safety. Do not re-enter the property until emergency personnel confirm it is safe. Once access is allowed, document the damage, contact your insurance provider, and work with qualified restoration professionals to assess the property.
Professional restoration companies can help address fire damage, smoke contamination, soot cleanup, odor removal, and any water damage caused by firefighting efforts.
Fire Damage Restoration Services Throughout Michigan
House fires can occur unexpectedly and often leave behind smoke damage, soot contamination, structural damage, and water damage from firefighting efforts. Fast response can help reduce additional damage and improve the restoration process.
Camelot Emergency Water Removal proudly serves homeowners and businesses in Kalamazoo, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor. Our team can help assess damage and guide property owners through the restoration process.
Need Help After a Fire?
Fire damage often involves more than burned materials. Smoke contamination, soot residue, odors, and water damage can continue affecting a property long after the fire is extinguished.
Camelot Emergency Water Removal helps homeowners understand their restoration options and respond quickly after property damage emergencies.
Call (833) 252-0488 or contact us online to speak with our team.
Fire Damage Restoration FAQ
What should I do first after a house fire?
Wait until emergency personnel declare the property safe, document the damage, contact your insurance company, and consult restoration professionals.
Can smoke damage affect areas that didn’t burn?
Yes. Smoke particles can travel throughout a home and settle on walls, furniture, clothing, flooring, and HVAC systems.
Is water damage common after a fire?
Yes. Water used during firefighting efforts often causes additional damage that may require extraction, drying, and restoration.
Can smoke odors be removed completely?
In many cases, professional cleaning and deodorization can significantly reduce or eliminate smoke odors when addressed promptly.
