After a home fire is put out, the smoke has cleared, and the fire department is gone, you are still left with cleaning up the damages. The restoration process can be confusing and overwhelming, and you might need help figuring out where to start or what to do first. There is hope for a restored home and speedy recovery with the assistance of Restoration 1 of Chester County. Below, our professional restoration specialists help you take the first steps toward recovery after house fire damages wreaked havoc on your home.
After suffering a home fire, it is difficult to determine what to do next. These steps will help you get back on your feet quickly and safely.
Call for Help
The first thing you want to do once a home fire has occurred is call 911. You should remove yourself and your family from your home and get to a safe area as first responders concentrate on saving the structure of your home. Never try to enter your home until it has been deemed safe by a professional.
Contact Your Insurance Agent
Next, you’ll want to call your homeowner’s insurance company to report the loss and start the claims process. From there, event documentation will take place. Your insurance agent should be experienced in dealing with property damage emergencies and can walk you through things like emergency lodging and living expenses. Ensure you have all information readily available, like the date and time of the fire, the location, the cause (if known), and the amount of damage done. Don’t forget to ask about the timetable for removing any standing water and the best way to secure the property. Your insurance agent will get you in touch with a restoration company that can help with house fire restoration.
Find a Safe Place to Stay
No matter the size of the fire or the amount of damage, you will need to find a place to stay. Even small fires produce smoke, ash, soot, and unseen chemicals that can all make you sick or cause significant respiratory or health problems. With a larger fire, structural damage and restorations can take days or months to repair, so long-term housing should be considered. Your insurance agent can help you determine what kind of temporary housing works best for your family during the assessing, cleaning, restoration, and rebuilding process.
Secure Your Property
While your homeowner’s policy generally covers the damages to your home and personal property, most require you to ensure your home is secure from further destruction. Even if your property has suffered significant house fire damage, it’s critical to protect what’s left from weather and unlawful entry. If safe, you will need to safeguard your property as much as possible; this includes boarding up windows, doors, and other openings to prevent further damage. It’s also wise to contact your local police to let them know what happened so they can help watch your home.
Contact a Fire Damage Restoration Company
After speaking with your insurance, you should call a professional restoration company to help handle primary concerns like smoke and water damage. After you contact Restoration 1 of Chester County, we will provide caring, immediate services to your home. Between the fire and smoke damage, there are several other factors to consider, including removing smoke odors, deep-cleaning soot from walls, carpets, and upholstery, and protecting the structures still standing within your home. Our team thoroughly addresses these critical stages in the restoration process so your property will look good on the in-and outside.
Why Partner With the Fire Damage Restoration Experts at Restoration 1 of Chester County?
At Restoration 1 of Chester County, we know firsthand how damaging a home fire can be, and we understand you might feel overwhelmed by the work. Our team of restoration specialists is highly trained and has the necessary experience, tools, and resources to clean up the damages. Connect with us today if your property has experienced a damaging fire.
