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Whether small or large, a fire can wreak serious havoc on your home or business.
After the smoke has cleared, it’s important to be able to assess and evaluate the fire damage your structure has incurred.
Check out these six tips to help you properly evaluate the damage so you can take the right steps to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.
After the smoke has cleared, you need to be able to keep track of everything that is damaged. Take a video and walk through your building to get a clear picture of the severity and scope of the damage.
Even if something isn’t charred, you still want to document items that were damaged from smoke or water. Write a list in addition to photos and video so you have a thorough record of each and every single thing that needs to be repaired or replaced.
It’s tempting to want to report all of the fire damage on your own, but a professional inspector can offer a second opinion. These specially trained experts know exactly what to look for as well as the proper terminology to use when filing a claim.
Your insurance company will likely send their own inspectors, but it can’t hurt to use your own, too. This ensures that an objective third party will provide you some more expertise.
After a fire, your home or business can be exposed to the elements. Make sure you tarp or seal any areas where the roof has been damaged to keep water out.
A fire and water damage restoration company can offer excellent advice and service to ensure your building won’t have any more issues. Proper sealing of the structure can also keep potential burglars and animals out.
Before you start cleaning, make sure your insurance company has approved your claim and has the information they need. Once you’ve been given the green light, you can prepare to clean up the mess.
A professional restoration service can remove soot, ash, and other debris safely and effectively. All items that cannot be salvaged should also be removed and disposed of.
Once you’re ready to rebuild, use a fire or disaster restoration service who understands the nuances of fire-damaged buildings. Choose a company that uses their own equipment.
Restoration companies who have their own specialized equipment will be able to get things fixed much faster. They also have in-depth knowledge of how to make correct repairs based on the nature of the damage.
Once things have returned to normal, it’s a good idea to practice good fire prevention tactics. Evaluate your building to make sure you have what you need to keep this from happening again.
A trained consultant can walk through your building and point out areas where you can improve fire prevention measures. With a good education, you can prevent fire damage from occurring in the future.
Even though fire damage can be upsetting, you can always recover. By understanding how to document and evaluate the damage, you’ll have the tools you need to return things to normal.
For more on disaster planning and training, visit our website to schedule an appointment for emergency planning.
