Fire and Water Damage Restoration

Life can throw some real curveballs. Things can be going swimmingly, and then all of a sudden, disaster strikes. One such disaster is fire. Every day hundreds of homes across the States go up in flames. Many are accidents, and some are frankly unavoidable. Fires are unfortunate parts of our reality, and we have to be vigilant and plan for the worst.

When a fire occurs, a fire department typically arrives. This doesn’t always happen on time. For the most part, however, your home will be attended to by a department. Said firemen and women use water to attempt to stem the spread of the fire, and post-fire your home will have incurred fire and water damage. Now, some companies specialize in only water or fire damage restoration. Yet, the majority of companies working in this arena will likely attend to both because the two typically accompany one another.

Damage restoration of fire and water is a process that should be undertaken immediately. Salvaging all that is possible is critical, and time is of the essence. A firefighter is not going to care if your hardwood floor becomes damaged. He or she was trained to fight the fire, and it is better to deal with water damage post-fire (and a relatively intact home) than a pile of ashes with nothing to salvage.

Post-fire, the first thing to focus on is structural damage. Water damage is much less evident than fire damage, and damage to things like electrical wiring is common and expensive to fix. Beyond the typical cleanup, addressing things like smoke residue and particulates in the air are fundamental. Ignoring this could lead to long-term respiratory issues. With water damage, drying the home is the most important thing. Vacuuming standing water, getting dehumidifiers in rooms particularly affected, and fans throughout the house is a must. This will stem the spread until more expert hands can get to work on the harder parts.

Do not attempt to tackle this alone. There are a host of certified experts working in this sphere who do all the heavy lifting for you. The first thing to look for with a provider is the certification. An Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is a well-known and reputable certification. These are nation-wide and widely recognized. Second, sub-certifications are regarded as a plus. Everything from mold remediation to commercial and structural drying are excellent sub-certifications that prominent and serious providers will have.

Third is something we harp on a lot – experience. Relevant experience in this specific arena is vital. Standing water can eventually become contaminated with substances or chemicals. At this point, you’re dealing with much more than simply water damage. You’ve got a biohazard on your hands. An experienced provider will understand this, and likely have worked on similar, catastrophic projects. It is best to go with someone who has truly experienced something much worse than what you are suffering, no matter how terrible that may sound.

Not a rosy subject, we understand. But posts like this are valuable to keep in your back pocket. Fire knows no boundaries, it just burns.