How Does Fire Restoration Work?

A fire can be devastating for any homeowner or business owner, and the damage from a fire can vary from minimal to severe. But there are many important steps in the fire restoration process that remediation professionals like Steamatic use to effectively and efficiently restore a home or building. Learn what the process of fire restoration is to better understand how this service can restore a home after a fire disaster.

Make Sure the Property Is Safe to Enter

A fire can cause a lot of damage that can affect the building’s structural integrity, create hazards for anyone who enters the property, and impact electrical, gas, and water systems. That’s why fire restoration professionals must ensure the property’s systems have been shut off and that the building is structurally intact before going in.

Assess and Contain the Damage

Once inside the building, fire restoration professionals can determine what areas have damage, how severely damaged the areas are, and estimate what kind of repairs will be needed. Then, they’ll be able to contain the damage by sealing the areas off before crews come in. This can prevent damage from soot, discoloration, and mold growth from impacting other areas of the building.

Remove Debris and Structural Damage

Fire restoration professionals then begin removing damaged items that are too damaged to save, fallen structural materials like ceilings and drywall, and severely damaged building materials. In addition, these professionals will remove items that cannot be restored, such as damaged appliances, cabinetry, furniture, and personal items. They may also remove soot-covered items and vacuum or wipe up soot before moving items out of a space.

Save Personal Belongings

While clearing out debris and items that can’t be saved, fire restoration experts will also remove items like furniture, electronics, and personal items to restore near the site or off-site. For example, Steamatic has its own secure facility where fire restoration professionals can bring items to be cleaned, repaired, and restored before being brought back into the home or business.

Dehumidify and Dry Out the Property

Firefighters often use water to put out fires, which can create water damage in a home or building. Early in the restoration process, remediation teams will remove standing water, use dehumidifiers and fans to remove excess moisture, and then assess and address signs of water damage, like mold growth, mildew, stains, and odors. 

Deep Cleaning the Property

Smoke can cause discoloration and stains to many surfaces, and fire-extinguishing substances from the firefighters’ efforts can leave behind unwanted materials. Fire restoration professionals will use commercial-grade cleaners and tools to make sure every surface, including porous surfaces like carpets, fabrics, wood, and tile, is cleaned, and they’ll use deodorizers to remove the smells caused by smoke, fire, and extinguisher damage. Deep cleaning the impacted areas is so important for restoring a home or business to its former state.

Restore Structural Damage

After the debris is removed and the areas are deep cleaned, restoration professionals can replace items lost to fire damage, repair walls, ceilings, and other structures, and get the building back to normal.

Steamatic has its own First Responders who can assess the damage, institute preventative measures, and secure the property before the restoration begins. Contact Steamatic to learn more about how our fire restoration services can save both residences and businesses.