Fire Restoration Process

3/8/2020 (Permalink)

A house fire in Doylestown, PA, can be a very distressing experience.

A house fire in Doylestown, PA, can be a very distressing experience. However, it is important to begin the fire restoration process as soon as possible to prevent further damage. The following outlines the steps to take after the fire has been extinguished and everyone is safe:

1. Call the insurance company. If you have fire insurance, let your insurance company know about the situation so that they can begin the claims process. They will also let you know of any special requirements for documenting the damage and send an agent to assess your property.

2. Temporarily cover openings. The fire-extinguishing efforts may have damaged windows, doors or the roof. If there are any holes, it is important to tarp or board over them to keep out wildlife, criminals and bad weather during the fire restoration process.

3. Dry out the structure. The water from the fire-extinguishing efforts can begin to grow mold in as little as 24 hours. You may need to use specialized pumps or vacuums to remove the standing water. If there is still moisture present, you can use fans or a dehumidifier to speed the drying process.

4. Clean up smoke and soot. Smoke and soot will have gotten everywhere affected by the fire. There are special cleaners designed to remove this residue. Even after removing all the visible soot, you will have to do further smoke cleaning to eliminate the smell. Run air filters, ozone machines or thermal foggers to remove the particles from the air and deodorize the area.

5. Repair and replace damaged items. After everything is clean and dry, you can begin restoring the damaged items. Some repairs you may be able to do yourself, but others might require specialized techniques.

Fire restoration can be a very intensive process. If you feel overwhelmed, you may wish to hire a certified restoration team to help you get your home back to normal.