Steps to Restore a Property After Smoke Damage

1/2/2025 (Permalink)

House damaged caused by fire

Steps to Restore a Property After Smoke Damage

A fire at your home or business can be one of the most frightening and traumatic experiences you’ll ever go through. In addition to the danger structure fires pose, they often result in the loss of property, some of which may include irreplaceable memories.

In addition, the lasting effects of water, fire, and smoke damage can lead to ongoing issues like structural instability, bad indoor odors, discoloration of interior spaces, and mold growth. While your safety and the safety of loved ones should always be paramount when picking up the pieces after a fire, there are some things you can do to make the restoration process easier.

If you’ve experienced the damaging effects of a home or business fire and you’re not sure of your next move, below are some steps to restore a property after smoke damage:

Be Mindful of Structural Stability

Because your safety is of the utmost importance and fires can weaken structures, never enter a structure that has experienced fire or water damage until it has been inspected by a qualified professional. Even if an area looks safe, hidden damage may be present if water, flames, and smoke have penetrated walls, flooring, and ceiling areas.

When these areas have been affected, you may not realize how weak a supporting wall or piece of flooring is until it fails. When it comes to damage restoration after a fire, your first goal should always be to secure the property before beginning to deal with things like smoke odors. While smoke and soot are bothersome and should be addressed, you need to make sure the affected area is safe to enter before you can begin the process of remedying a damaged property.

Contact Your Insurance Company

When possible, you should try to inspect structural damage in a safe manner, but you’ll also want to contact your insurance company to discuss the claims process. Insurance companies can tell you which parts of the structure are covered for loss and can walk you through the insurance claims process.

If possible, take photos and video of any damage you can see. Once again, be mindful of structural stability, and never place yourself in harm’s way when trying to assess the extent of the damage. If required, your insurer will send someone to your home or business to officially document any damage for the claims process.

Keep in mind that the insurance claims process can be lengthy, so you may need to make alternate plans to address immediate concerns. Depending on the extent of the damage, you and your loved ones may need to vacate a property until it can be properly inspected and repaired by a professional.

Document any work you have completed on the structure while going through the insurance claims process. This can help you and your insurer keep track of all payments made pursuant to any claims.

Work With Restoration Professionals

Although you can do things like install air scrubbers to remove odors in a fire-damaged home or business, most people benefit from partnering with fire and smoke damage restoration professionals to alleviate major issues. Companies that specialize in water damage restoration can take care of wet cleaning and smoke odor remediation, and most also provide thorough inspection and cleaning services for hidden dangers like mold.

As an added bonus, these companies have specialized tools and equipment to restore structural elements damaged by water used to put out a fire. Water damage restoration is often an involved process since moisture can seep into walls, flooring, and other areas of a home or business.

Simply drying affected areas is not enough, as damage may affect various layers of surfaces. Professional damage restoration services experts are able to take care of smoke and water damage on the surface, but they’re also able to clean and restore areas that may not be seen by the naked eye.

Be Mindful of Cleaning Products

If you choose to clean some of your property on your own, be mindful of which cleaning products you use. While cleaning is one of the steps to restore a property after smoke damage, not all cleaning products are designed for safe use on surfaces damaged by fire, smoke, and water. Some cleaning products may react to changes in a surface’s chemical composition following damage, and this can cause a cleaning agent to cause further damage.

If you use cleaners, try to use products that contain natural ingredients. It’s also a good idea to review the directions of any products you use and consider contacting the cleaner’s manufacturer to inquire about usage.

You’re also encouraged to test any cleaning products in an inconspicuous area before using them in larger areas. This approach can help you avoid creating a bigger problem if the cleaning product is not safe to use on surfaces damaged by fire, smoke, or water.

Always Put Your Safety First

While there are several steps to restoring a property after smoke damage, your priority should always be safety. In addition to structural instability, fire-damaged structures may contain additional dangers like fumes, leaking gas lines, smoldering embers, and debris in the air. Wear protective clothing, including eye protection and a respirator, when entering a damaged structure.

Consider contacting your utility provider before entering a home or business damaged by fire to see if an inspection is recommended. Your provider may send out a representative to review the integrity of things like gas and water lines to prevent future problems.

Contact SERVPRO® of Arcadia for Smoke Damage Restoration Solutions

If you’ve experienced a fire at your home or business in the Arcadia, CA, region, trust the experts at SERVPRO for relief. Our team provides expert restoration solutions for smoke damage, smoke odors, and fire damage, and we can also help remediate a mold problem left behind after water damage.