Recovery takes time after a house fire, but you don’t have to do it alone. Because licensed professionals must carry out many of the tasks necessary, you can count on dependable assistance as you complete these eight steps.
How to Repair a Fire-Damaged House in 8 Steps
Call Your Insurance Company
After a fire, the first thing you should do is call your insurance provider. As soon as possible, the claims process must begin. If you reside in Florida, discuss hiring a reputable fire restoration business like PuroClean with your agent.
Working with a restoration company with a proven track record and ongoing Preferred Vendor status is best. Let your agent and restoration specialist be your guides if you’re trying to determine whether to renovate after a fire.
Assess Your Home’s Structural Damage
Make sure a fire-damaged home is secure before beginning renovations. Your restoration specialist might recommend a structural engineer for this crucial part of the project. The engineer’s inspection details the necessary floor joist repairs and notes their damage:
- basement, second floor, and attic.
- Internal load-bearing walls, basement foundation walls, etc.
The restoration specialist can also put you in touch with skilled carpenters and electricians who focus on restoring fire-damaged homes.
Assure the Security of the Property
Lock all but one of the doors and board up any broken windows before starting any work on the house. Your restoration specialist’s team can help with this task. Keeping your home locked up while it is being rebuilt can lessen the likelihood of vandalism. Many insurance companies require that properties be secured after a fire.
Prioritize Structural Repairs
This is yet another project phase that professionals should handle. You want experienced carpenters to handle the substantial repairs to guarantee the house’s structural integrity. The interior framework is secured, the attic is rebuilt, and old floor joists and trusses are replaced. Click to read.
Examine the Electrical System
Even if the fire did not destroy your home, the electrical system needs to be inspected and repaired by a licensed electrician. A fire-damaged home frequently needs a new breaker box, and all wiring, outlets, and fixtures must be checked for safety and replaced if necessary.
Address Issues Relating to Fire Damage
Every fire-damaged home renovation includes specialized cleanup work to repair various fire and smoke-related damages. Your fire repair and fire restoration expert handles these concerns and more:
- mold growth on wet sheetrock
- Smoke stains and sooty remnants
- contaminated air ducts
Clean Up Every Room
On average, rebuilding after a fire can take several weeks to several months, so you must have patience. Your certified restoration technicians will be your best allies during the recovery process. They restore burned-out floors and damaged sheetrock and even help you salvage furniture. Take this final phase one room at a time.
Document the Entire Process
Because rebuilding after a fire can be expensive, keep track of all replacement and repair expenses. Convert your photos and documents to digital files to show the scope of your loss and the recovery cost. Complete records make working with the insurance provider easier, and your restoration specialist can assist you during the claims process.
