Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be overwhelming and stressful. Being prepared means knowing what to do and what to expect during the fire damage restoration process. In this article, we’ll guide you through the crucial steps you should take following a fire like when to contact a professional restoration company, and what the restoration process will entail.
1. Let Friends and Family Know You’re Safe
The first thing you should do after experiencing a fire is to let your loved ones know that you’re safe. Whether it’s through a phone call, text message, or social media post, it’s essential to inform your friends and family as soon as possible. You don’t want the people you love to be in a panic wondering if you’re safe.
2. Don’t Re-Enter Until Fire Professionals Say It’s Safe
Never attempt to re-enter your home until fire professionals give you the go-ahead. Otherwise, you can risk walking into something much worse. They will need to make sure that the structure is stable, no hot spots are remaining, and there is no risk of further damage or injury. Just because the fire is out, doesn’t mean health problems vanish—smoke and soot can still cause respiratory issues and other health concerns.
3. Inspect the Damage
Once you get clearance to re-enter your home, inspecting the damage as soon as possible is crucial. To prepare for the future, handling this by keeping a list of all the damages and losses will be very helpful. This should include any structural damage, items that need repairing or replacing, and areas that need to be cleaned up.
When your insurance company contacts you, having a detailed list of damages and losses will make the insurance claim process much smoother.
4. Contact Your Insurance
Now that you have your running list of damages put together, it’s time to contact your insurance company. This step in the fire damage restoration process should not be delayed. Your insurance company will need to assess the damage and provide you with the coverage and assistance you need to begin the restoration process so you’re covered.
5. Contact a Fire Damage Restoration Company
Just as important as contacting the insurance company, contacting a damage restoration company should be a priority. They have the expertise, equipment, and experience needed to restore your home to its previous condition.
Plus, they provide a flurry of services that can make your damage restoration process smooth:
- Cleaning the mess
- Repairing the damage
- Restoring your home
- Take inventory of the damage
- Provide a climate-controlled environment for your belongings
Take the Load Off of the Unexpected with Integrity Restoration
At Integrity Restoration, we’re here to make the unthinkable happen when you’re in the midst of devastating fire damage restoration. Dreams of your home getting back to what it once was can become a reality. From cleaning to reconstructing, you won’t have to worry about a thing.
Contact us today to make the unexpected a little bit more bearable.