Regardless of its size and origin, a house fire is always a devastating event for the inhabitants of a home. Even after the blaze itself has been halted, the aftermath can be just as destructive since the residual effects of the fire can lead to long-term damage to the building. Returning to a sense of normalcy and restoring peace of mind is a matter of addressing all areas of damage before they worsen.
In the following article from Biodynamic, our fire restoration experts offer a few of their best tips for what to do after a house fire to prevent further damage, helping you to preserve your home’s structure and ensure a safe return for all of the inhabitants of the building.
After a Fire: First Steps
When a fire takes place in a building, the first step should always be to ensure the safety of the inhabitants. If the blaze is ongoing, evacuate the building and make sure that all people and pets are accounted for. Contact 911 and find a safe place to remain while waiting for emergency services to arrive and extinguish the flames. Treat any injuries quickly to prevent infections from taking hold. More severe ones, including burns, will need to be addressed by medical professionals in the nearest emergency room.
Once you are certain of the locations of all the inhabitants of the home and emergency services have given you the all-clear, you can then begin to address the repairs and restoration of the property itself.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The next step in the process will be to contact your homeowner’s insurance company. Most insurance policies require a claim to be filed as soon as possible after an incident. You will likely need to call or email your insurance agent directly and provide as much information as you can to ensure a thorough assessment of the damage.
Ideally, your claim should include photos and an inventory of any items and areas of the house that have been affected by the fire. This means that you will need to be able to access the property and take photographs to include with your initial claim. It’s important that you only do so once the fire department has cleared you to reenter the affected area safely. The sooner you can file a claim with your insurance company, the sooner a claims adjuster will be able to assess the property and begin the process of providing a settlement for you to cover the cost of the damages.
Secure the Property
At the same time, you’ll need to secure the property to minimize the risk of a second fire or other further damage taking place. While the fire department will likely have removed anything that poses an immediate threat, such as highly flammable debris, you may still need to ensure there are no potential fuel sources remaining in the area. You might require the assistance of a professional for this, as it will be critical to secure any gas lines and make sure there are no exposed electrical wires.
Once the immediate safety hazards have been addressed, you should continue the process of securing the area by using a thick plastic tarp to cover any holes in the walls, ceilings, roof, or flooring that have been created by the fire. Broken windows should be boarded up, as should damaged doors or other entryways. This will not only prevent potential weather damage but also protect your home and its contents from theft.
Finally, any affected property, such as furniture, electronics, and other valuables, should be removed to a climate-controlled storage unit, where they can be stored safely until they can be appropriately cleaned.
Look for Signs of Smoke Damage
Often, the smoke generated by a fire can be just as damaging as the flames themselves. Smoke consists of superheated gases that carry particulate remnants of the fire’s fuel source. It’s capable of spreading quickly and scorching nearly everything it touches. As a result, no list addressing what to do after a house fire is complete without a discussion of how to address smoke damage.
It’s also important to note that the residue left behind by smoke is acidic and therefore corrosive. It can continue to damage your property long after the fire itself has been extinguished. It also leaves a strong odor. Eliminating the smell of smoke is often one of the most difficult parts of the restoration process after a house fire. Areas that have only been moderately stained by soot can be cleaned with dish soap. However, for more extensive damage and strong odors, you may need professional restoration services.
Minimize Water Damage
Often, the process of fighting a fire can be destructive in and of itself, leaving a great deal of water damage in its wake. Excess water can pool in areas, exacerbate existing fire damage, and cause additional harm by soaking its way into walls and flooring. Water also encourages the growth of toxic mold, further placing the inhabitants of the home at risk.
To prevent further damage, the home must be dried out. Smaller puddles can be cleared simply by improving the ventilation in the building. However, larger ones may require the aid of machinery, including shop vacuums, sump pumps, and large-scale dehumidifiers. As with other damaged items, property and valuables can be removed from the home and dried out separately.
Consult Fire Restoration Professionals
In many cases, fire damage will be too extensive to address without the assistance of a professional fire restoration service. Preventing further damage and returning the home to its original pre-loss state may require the use of specialized equipment and trained technicians.
At Biodynamic, we utilize some of the most advanced restoration technology available, including laser ablation and BioSweep, which is a patented process that is designed to completely eliminate smoke odors that have become embedded in walls, carpets, and other parts of the property. We’ll also work to restore the damaged structure of the home, helping to preserve your property while also putting all traces of a devastating fire behind you.
