Fire damage restoration

11/29/2017 (Permalink)

Devastating fires strike thousands of families in the greater Houston metropolitan area each year. No one wants to face such a disaster, but if a fire does damage your home, it is important you quickly take proper steps to prevent further loss.

While first thoughts tend to focus on the damage caused by the flames, smoke and water damage must also be addressed quickly. The longer the smoke, soot, and water remain in your home, the greater the damage and cost for cleaning and restoration. Additionally , soot has corrosive elements in it, and the water and chemicals used to knock down a fire can lead to serious mold infestations if the home is not properly cleaned and dehumidified quickly.

Locally owned and operated SERVPRO of Clear Lake offers the following tips for coping with home fire damage:

1.      Do not enter your home until deemed safe by the fire department. Depending on the level of structural damage caused by the fire and the fire fighting efforts, it may be a few days before your home is safe to enter. Follow all first responder guidelines carefully. It is critical that all utilities, including electricity and gas, are shuttered prior to entry. Additionally, be sure to wear proper clothing, eye protection, and footwear.

2.      Contact your insurance company immediately. Most insurance companies can and will dispatch an emergency claims adjuster to help you begin your claim. Throughout the process, be sure to keep all receipts for any expenses you incur, including living expenses, car rental, food receipts, etc..

3.      Contact your local Red Cross if your home is not habitable. They can help to secure temporary housing and provide clothing and toiletries as needed.

4.      Hire a fire damage restoration team to begin the assessment process. Photos of your home, structural damage, and damage to personal items are needed to help with the claims process. SERVPRO uses “CCIS” or Contents Claim Inventory Service to generate room-by-room inventories. They facilitate quick claims by categorizing items as salvageable, non-salvageable, and questionable. For many of our customers, this is an invaluable part of the fire damage restoration process.

5.      Review and approve the work authorization for restoration. Before your SERVPRO team gets started on the cleaning, deodorizing, and rebuilding of your home, the work authorization form must be reviewed and approved. We can then start work virtually immediately. If you have any questions about the scope of our services or what we will do in each room, please feel free to ask the team lead. We will make sure everyone is on the same page prior to beginning work.

Our fire restoration services are comprehensive and can include any or all of the following:

·         Move outs/ins

·         Document drying and restoration

·         Art and antiquities evaluation and restoration

·         Appliances and electronics tested and cleaned

·         Photo restoration

·         Water extraction

·         Smoke damage remediation

·         Cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing

·         Air duct and HVAC cleaning

·         Cleaning/restoration of carpet and floors

·         Removal and disposal of unsalvageable items

·         Rebuilding, including new drywall, paint, floors, windows, roofs, and other structural elements

·         Other customized services as needed

Your locally owned and operated SERVPRO is available to respond when disaster strikes your home. Our team has the expertise, training, and tools necessary to help you quickly restore your home after fire, soot, smoke or water damage, to help prevent additional damage and future mold infestations. Contact us today and allow us to help you through this challenging time.