Although fire prevention techniques are a lot more advanced and taken a lot more seriously than they were in the past, house fires and fires in commercial buildings still happen, and their effect can be catastrophic. While the fire itself can take a significant toll on property owners, the process of completing fire restoration can be long and stressful, too. It is always in your best interest to hire a professional restoration team in the aftermath of a property fire, but it's also helpful to understand the process.

This blog will explore what fire restoration is and what the process looks like. Whether you require fire restoration at this moment, or if you'll save this knowledge when in need, we hope the following information will help you make a plan to get back on your feet.

If you need to hire a professional to come and assess damages, we invite you to give YCI INC. a call. We have years of experience completing fire restoration in the local area and we'd be more than happy to help you out.

What Is Fire Restoration?

Fire restoration is the process of assessing the damage made to a property after a fire, securing the building, and restoring it to its former state through cleaning and reconstruction efforts. The extent of fire restoration will depend on the exact nature of the disaster, where it occurs, and how much damage is done. Fire restoration could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years to complete, but with the help of a trusted restoration team, the job will get done as quickly as possible.

Assessing Damages

To understand the restoration process, a professional team will have to assess the extent of damage. Once the building is deemed safe to enter by firefighters, restoration technicians will inspect the property and take note of the damage. Doing a thorough inspection is the only way of knowing what the restoration process will look like and how much time and money it will cost to complete it. The inspector will take note of a range of factors including structural damage and smoke damage and assess what areas can be restored and what will need rebuilding.

Once the initial assessment is complete, your restoration team will sit down with you and make a detailed plan and timeline for restoring the property.

Securing the Property

Equally important to assessing the damages, the next stage of the process will be to secure the property. Doing so will ensure the safety of the community and the ongoing protection of the site from further damage. Securing the property may involve putting a fence around the area and boarding up the building to protect it from the weather and ensure that nobody enters the property who is unauthorized to do so.

Mitigating Water Damage

Putting out a fire involves a lot of water and while this may be the first step to saving your property from ruin, the water itself can pose a risk to the long-term safety of your building. One of the first steps after the flames go out will be working to mitigate water damage by drying out the property and removing as much water as possible. Doing this will help prevent mold and corrosion from putting the property at further risk.

Clean Up

Once the building has dried out the clean-up process can begin. This phase of the restoration is one of the most labor-intensive phases, but it's also one of the most important. The clean-up will involve:

  • Clearing away soot
  • Cleaning smoke stains off all surfaces, including the floor, walls, and ceiling
  • Applying deodorizer to remove the smell of smoke
  • Disinfecting the area to prevent mold growth
  • Clearing out vents and ducts to ensure they are clean and free of blockages

Reconstruction

Only once the clean-up is complete can the real restoration begin. Typically, this final stage of the process involves restoring everything that was damaged by the fire. This may include rebuilding the structure, installing new walls, patching up holes, fixing the roof, and restoring floors. The reconstruction process will vary. While some homes and business properties may have maintained their structural integrity, others will need a full reconstruction to ensure the long-term safety and stability of the structure.

What About Insurance?

As you've been reading through the restoration process, you're likely wondering: how much is this all going to cost? This is a great question and we're pleased to say that most insurance companies will cover a majority of, if not all of the cost to restore residential and commercial fire damage. This is the kind of event in which you realize just how important it is to be protected under a good insurance plan and you'll be grateful that you had the coverage you need.

If you're curious about just how much money your insurance company will provide you with for fire restoration, we recommend giving them a call.

Fire Prevention and Safety in the Future

Nobody wants their property to be affected by a fire, but accidents happen. Luckily, there are further steps you can take to protect your property from this kind of emergency from occurring. Here are some of our top fire safety tips and tricks:

  • Practice stove safety and never leave your burner unattended
  • Keep flammable items away from the cooking area
  • Have your property's electrical systems inspected to ensure their ongoing safety
  • Always have working smoke alarms
  • Avoid smoking indoors and keep a close eye on candles and other open flames
  • Ensure you have a fire extinguisher on hand and set up sprinklers in your commercial building
  • Ensure that everyone using your space knows how to escape from the property

Restore Peace of Mind with a Fire Restoration Expert

When you experience a fire in your home or business, you're not alone. Our team understands just how frightening these events can be and we are equipped to help you restore your property to it's original condition.

In the aftermath of a fire, be sure to call on YCI INC. for all your restoration needs. We're here to support you.