Processes Involved During Water and Fire Restoration
Once firefighters clear the scene and it is safe to return to your home, restoration professionals will begin with a thorough assessment. They will take pictures of the damage and measurements to ascertain the materials’ moisture level. Water-damaged areas must be dried and sanitized before a building can be restored. The process can take weeks or even months in severely damaged buildings.
Debris Removal
A house fire is a terrible thing for any homeowner to experience. It destroys treasured possessions and leaves families homeless. Thankfully, the worst is over once firefighters extinguish the flames. However, the restoration process is just beginning. The first step is to remove any standing water with specialized equipment. It includes wet vacs and pumps. This step prevents water damage and allows professionals to inspect the damage more thoroughly. When most of the water has been eliminated, professionals will dry the damaged surfaces using air movers and dehumidifiers. This step is crucial because any moisture left behind will promote mold and mildew growth.
It is also when smoke and soot are removed. This phase is the most intensive and requires a lot of labor. Then, deodorizing agents are employed to eliminate any lingering odors. If there was also water damage, sanitizing or antimicrobial chemicals may be used to halt any future bacterial growth. The cleanup and restoration process can take weeks, if not months, for larger home fires.
Structural Assessment
The structural damage caused by fire doesn’t stop after the flames are extinguished. The heat, smoke, and water used to extinguish the fire can all damage and corrode personal belongings and structures. A thorough inspection is the first step in restoring items and systems to their pre-loss condition. It is where water and fire restoration Rock Hill SC professionals examine the area to see how far the smoke and soot have penetrated, how much water damage was caused by firefighters’ efforts, and whether structural problems like sagging, cracking, or weak spots exist. If necessary, the engineers in this phase can also advise the client of recommended methods for strengthening and retrofitting the structure. It is dangerous to enter a home or business after a fire, so it is best to stay out until the experts finish their assessment. It can take weeks or even months to complete. Once the inspector is done, a detailed report will be provided.
Mitigation
The fire restoration process involves returning a property to its pre-loss condition. It may take weeks or months and includes tasks like debris removal, soot, odor removal, contents cleaning and repairing the affected areas. It may also contain property board-up, demolition and reconstruction, and securing and removing any disturbed hazards.
Once the fire department leaves, a building is still at risk of damage from the water used to extinguish the flames and the corrosive byproducts on surfaces. It is why water damage mitigation should begin as soon as possible.
Mitigation is an ongoing effort at the local, state and federal level to lessen the impact of disasters on families, homes, businesses, communities and the economy. Examples of mitigating measures include:
- Constructing residences away from floodplains.
- Designing bridges to resist earthquakes.
- Developing and enforcing hurricane-proof construction rules.
These mitigation measures reduce long-term risks and allow communities to recover more quickly from natural disasters.
Cleaning
The fire restoration process can take weeks or even months to complete, requiring much time and expertise. However, staying calm and remembering that the disaster will eventually improve is important. Don’t worry too much about the fire restoration process; focus on one decision, one day at a time. After all, your home will return to normal sooner than you think!
The cleaning phase begins as soon as the fire department has left your property and it’s safe to return. It is one of the most labor-intensive parts of fire restoration. It involves removing and storing all items that can’t be saved, then washing and cleaning surfaces affected by smoke. The team will also apply deodorizers to remove any lingering smoke odors from your property.