Our Tips for Recovering From Residential Fire Damage | SERVPRO® of Cedar Mill/Oak Hills

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged in a house fire, SERVPRO of Cedar Mill/Oak Hills is here to help. Contact us for any fire restoration needs.

While house fires are dangerous and alarming themselves, the recovery process can also feel complicated and quite a bit scary. Even for small fires that were put out quickly, the damage done by smoke, soot, and extinguishing agents can be severe and widespread, reminding you every day of such a traumatic event.

In order to help you recover, we have assembled some must-know guidance for household fire recovery.

Must-Know Guidance for Household Fire Recovery

Prepare yourself for what to expect. Though we have all likely seen images of fire damage online or on the news, experiencing it in your own home with your own belongings is a much different phenomenon. It is important to ready yourself emotionally for the damages and understand that there might be items damaged by smoke or soot that were nowhere near the flames.

Wait to enter your home. While it is normal to want to assess the damage done to your home and belongings right away, it is important to wait until officials have deemed it safe before you do so. There can be significant hidden damage throughout the home that could put you in danger, and the particles in the air can make it hazardous to breathe. By waiting until officials give you the green light, you can be sure you are not causing further damage to yourself.

Contact your insurance company. Once you are able to get an idea of the significance of the damage, contact your insurance provider and let them know about the situation. All insurance is varied in how they handle the claims process, so it is best to get the details straight from them regarding what to do and how to proceed.

Document the damages. Because there are so many details involved with recovery, documenting your damages well can help you keep everything organized. Make an inventory list of everything that has been impacted and take plenty of pictures of the damaged areas of the home. This will be helpful when you are filing your insurance claim as well as when it is time to replace key items in your home.

Contact your restoration company. The restoration company you decide to work with is one of the biggest factors in how quick and smooth your recovery process is. The lingering trauma from a fire can be persistent, so having a company that has your best interest in mind can do wonders for making the process as painless as possible.

If your home is damaged in a house fire, you can count on us to help you. Get in touch at any hour for a quick response.