Fire Restoration
Rebuilding Dreams: A Guide to Fire Cleanup, Restoration, and Reconstruction
Restoring your property after a fire is a three-step process: safety first, then cleaning up the mess, and finally rebuilding. To make sure everything goes smoothly, it’s a smart move to bring in a restoration crew that knows their stuff. We will help you bounce back from the fire and get things looking like they did before the fire.
We take a systematic approach to restoration. We take a methodical approach to restoration, making sure everything is documented and handled with care.
Dealing with a fire incident can be overwhelming, but there are specific steps to take to navigate this challenging situation. Here’s what typically happens next:
Fire Damage Restoration • Window Boarding
Debris Cleanup • Emergency Tarping
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Emergency Procedures For Fire Damage
- The first priority is safety. Make sure everyone in your household is safe and accounted for. If you haven’t already, vacate the premises and stay away until authorities confirm it’s safe to return.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately to report the fire. The fire department will respond to extinguish the fire and ensure it’s completely out.
- Call CCR. We are here for fire emergencies 24/7. Call our Emergency Hotline… 520 391-4615.
- Inform friends and family about the situation to let them know you’re safe and update them on any developments.
- Reach out to your homeowner’s insurance provider as soon as possible to report the fire and initiate the claims process. Provide them with all the necessary information and be prepared to document the damage with photographs and descriptions. If your home is uninhabitable, your insurance policy may cover temporary housing expenses. Discuss this with your insurance adjuster.
- Until the fire department and relevant authorities confirm it’s safe, avoid re-entering the property. Fire damage can weaken structures and pose safety risks.
- CCR to secure your property, which may include boarding up windows and doors or tarping wall openings caused by the fire. This needs to be done quickly because it will prevent theft and vandalism, or further damage from the weather.
CC&R Fire Cleanup Assessment and Procedures - Debris Removal
Fire damage often leaves behind a significant amount of debris, including charred building materials, personal belongings, and other fire-damaged items. Removing this debris is a crucial step in the fire damage cleanup and restoration process. Here’s what typically happens when it comes to removing debris and cleanup after a fire:
- The difference between big fire and small fire damage in restoration and cleanup primarily lies in the extent of damage and the complexity of the restoration process. Our restoration specialists will assess the extent of the damage.
- Small fires usually stay put in one room or area. The damage is limited, affecting a relatively small portion of the property. In most cases, the fire damage is less severe, and structural elements may remain intact.
- Now, when it comes to big fires, we’re talking about the ones that go beyond one area. These fires can really mess things up – we’re talking structural damage, everything getting covered in smoke and soot residue, and a whole lot of water damage from all the firefighting action.
- Our cleanup crews will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves from potential hazards, including asbestos and other contaminants that can be released during a fire. The debris is sorted into different categories, such as non-hazardous, hazardous, and potentially recyclable materials. This sorting is crucial for proper disposal. Debris is loaded onto trucks and transported to appropriate disposal sites.
- Often, fires are extinguished with water or other fire suppressants, leading to water damage. Cleanup involves removing excess water, drying affected areas, and preventing mold growth.
Cleanup
Procedures
After debris removal, the cleanup crew conducts a thorough cleaning of the property to remove remaining dust, ash, and residues. This prepares the site for the next phases of restoration.
- Clean and remove smoke and soot residue from surfaces, including walls, ceilings, floors, and personal belongings. Specialized cleaning techniques and equipment may be required.
- Eliminate lingering smoke odors using methods such as air purification, ozone treatment, or thermal fogging.
Fire Restoration Procedures - Reconstruction
Fire damage doesn’t always require reconstruction, but whether reconstruction is necessary depends on the extent of the damage. In some cases, minor fire damage can be addressed with cleaning, repairs, and restoration efforts without the need for significant reconstruction. The primary factor that influences the need for reconstruction is the safety and structural integrity of the property. If the fire has compromised the structural stability of the building, reconstruction becomes essential to ensure the property is safe and habitable. Here’s a breakdown:
- Minor Fire Damage: If the fire is small and doesn’t spread much, and there’s not too much damage to the structure, you might not need to go all-out with reconstruction. Instead, we can mainly concentrate on cleaning things up, getting rid of any lingering odors, fixing up minor damage, and getting your space back to the way it was before the fire.
- Moderate Fire Damage:Â If the fire causes some moderate damage, like messing up a few rooms or giving your home a bit of a rough time, we might need to do a bit of reconstruction. That could mean fixing up walls, ceilings, floors, and other structural elements or replacing damaged electrical wiring.
- Severe Fire Damage:Â In cases of extensive fire damage, where a significant portion of the property is affected, or there is extensive structural damage, reconstruction is often necessary. This can involve rebuilding entire sections of the property, including walls, roofs, floors, and electrical wiring.
Insurance coverage can also play a role in determining whether reconstruction is feasible and covered by the policy. Insurance adjusters will assess the extent of the damage and the cost of restoration versus reconstruction when determining coverage.
Ultimately, the need for reconstruction after fire damage depends on the unique circumstances of each fire incident. It’s essential to work with experienced restoration professionals who can assess the damage accurately and recommend the appropriate steps, whether that involves cleaning, repairs, restoration, or reconstruction, to restore the property to a safe and habitable condition.
Insurance
Coverage
Insurance coverage can also play a role in determining whether reconstruction is feasible and covered by the policy. Insurance adjusters will assess the extent of the damage and the cost of restoration versus reconstruction when determining coverage.
In some cases, property owners may choose to pursue reconstruction even if it’s not strictly necessary for safety reasons. This decision may be based on personal preferences, such as making improvements to the property during the restoration process. This reconstruction costs are taken on by the home owner and not covered completely by insurance.
Ultimately, the need for reconstruction after fire damage depends on the unique circumstances of each fire incident. It’s essential to work with experienced restoration professionals who can assess the damage accurately and recommend the appropriate steps, whether that involves cleaning, repairs, restoration, or reconstruction, to restore the property to a safe and habitable condition.
Why Use Commercial Cleaning & Restoration (CC&R)?
Whether your fire damage is big or small, Commercial Cleaning & Restoration is available 24/7 to handle the situation so you don’t have to. Our experienced technicians will respond quickly armed with the equipment and knowledge necessary to restore your property, and help you bounce back from the fire and get things looking like they did before the fire. Here are some of the reasons why Commercial Cleaning & Restoration is the best choice for your emergency fire cleanup and restoration:
Regular homeowners’ insurance covers emergency water damage from indoor leaks and leaks from roof and windows. Most water damage from flooding (travels on the ground into a building) needs to be covered by a separate flood insurance policy. READ MORE…
Fire Cleanup and Restoration FAQs
Can I do the fire damage cleanup myself?
While tackling some surface cleaning might seem doable, handling fire damage cleanup involves complexities like smoke residue and potential hazards. For a thorough and safe restoration, it's best to get help from the pros. We've got the expertise and tools to ensure everything's properly addressed, keeping safety a top priority throughout the process.
How can I safely inspect my home after fire damage has occurred?
Before returning to your home after a fire, prioritize safety. Wait for clearance from authorities to ensure it's safe to enter. Check for structural damage and hazards like hot spots or gas leaks. Consider professional inspection before beginning cleanup or restoration to ensure safety and address potential hazards. Always prioritize caution and seek guidance if unsure about re-entry safety.
How can I keep my property safe after damage?
Lock and secure your property to prevent looters or curious passerbys. Keep in mind that although you may have an alarm system, it may have malfunctioned. If your home or business has severe fire damage, it may be necessary to contact local authorities to secure the property.
Why should I act fast with fire damage?
Following a fire, it's crucial to respond promptly and safely. Once authorities confirm the safety of re-entry, contacting a professional restoration company is key. Their expertise in evaluating damage, securing the property, and initiating cleanup and restoration is invaluable. Acting swiftly by engaging these professionals can mitigate additional damage and kickstart the recovery process sooner.
Do I need to move out during the restoration process?
After consulting with professionals, this is ultimately your decision. If the area is safe, you may decide to stay. Be sure to also consider odors, access to electricity, noise from equipment, and the needs of small children. If you are vacating your home consider the following: forward your mail to your temporary residence, stop deliveries, notify utility company, telephone company etc. of temporary suspension of services.
How do I keep track of my non-restorable items?
It’s important to keep track of your non-restorable items for personal and insurance reasons. We recommend making a list of all items (including food items) that have been deemed non-restorable. It is advised to keep at least two copies on hand—one for yourself as well as your insurance company.
What proof do the insurance companies require?
Because documentation, coding, and negotiation play such a large role in your claim, it’s important to hire the right restoration company, one who upholds the standard of care set by IICRC. Commercial Cleaning and Restoration is a member of the IICRC and has over 36 years of restoration experience.
The remediation and repair process is extensive because of the very nature of water – it penetrates, warps, and weakens every surface it comes in extended contact with. It also can cause mold growth, which affects air quality. Your insurance company, restoration company, and hygienist (air quality control specialist) must make certain that damage is properly resolved to prevent any secondary damage to your property or health.
It’s our responsibility to thoroughly document what we’re doing and why, so your insurance company is confident that 1) all decisions and actions are based on facts and 2) all efforts serve to permanently resolve the problem. Therefore, we take photos, measurements, tests for moisture content, and/or tests for air quality throughout the remediation process, as needed.
Can Commercial Cleaning and Restoration do fire damage repairs?
Commercial Cleaning and Restoration is a licensed, registered General Contractor. We are able to complete the remediation work and the majority of repairs in house. If you wish to have a specialty product or upgrade (e.g., granite countertops), we have vendors we can recommend to you. Your project manager will also review with you how any additional contracted work fits within your project’s estimated timeline. Other contractors may needed for HVAC, electrical, and other specializations.