What is fire damage restoration?
Fire damage restoration is the cleanup and repair of a home after a fire. It covers securing the building, removing the water used to put the fire out, cleaning soot and smoke from surfaces and contents, removing burned materials, treating smoke odor and rebuilding what was lost.
Even a small kitchen fire can spread soot and smoke odor through the whole house, because smoke travels through air returns, ducts and open doorways.
Fire damage comes with water damage
Most house fires leave water behind. Hoses and sprinklers soak floors, walls, insulation and furniture, and that water needs extraction and drying like any other leak. The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, so drying is one of the first steps after a fire.
What fire restoration usually includes
- Board-up and tarping to secure openings.
- Water extraction and drying of firefighting water.
- Soot removal from walls, ceilings and surfaces.
- Contents cleaning or pack-out of belongings.
- Smoke odor treatment, including ducts where needed.
- Removal and rebuilding of burned or unsalvageable materials.
Safety after a fire
Stay out until the fire department clears the building. Do not turn on electrical systems, appliances or the HVAC until they have been checked, because running the air system can spread soot through the house. Wear gloves and a mask if you must handle items covered in soot.
Fire damage and insurance
Contact your insurer as soon as you can after a fire. Photograph every room and damaged item before cleanup, keep receipts for temporary housing and other costs, and ask the provider on the call what records they keep of the work.
What to have ready for the call
Have the property address, where the fire started, which rooms have soot or water damage, whether the fire department has cleared the building and whether the power is on.