The Do's And Don'ts of Fire Damage Repair

12/6/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage? Call the experts, SERVPRO of Greater St Augustine / St Augustine Beach, at 904-429-4457

A fire in your home can be devastating. When a fire first takes place, its important to ensure the safety of your family by relocating to a safe place. After your family is safe, you can begin to think about how you are going to get your home back in order.

Fire damage repair professionals will help assess your home. It is natural to feel helpless in this situation, but for your safety follow the do's and don'ts below.

Do: 

Take pictures of the damage
Having a visual record of the fire damage will come in handy when you file your insurance claim. Instead of trying to remember how everything looked after the fire, you will be able to refer back to the pictures that you took. 

Call your insurance agent
Insurance claims can take months or even years to fully process, which means you will want to get the process started as soon as possible. The faster you know what the course of action is, the faster you can contact fire damage professionals to restore your home. 

Wear gloves if you must enter the home
If you need to enter the home to gather your home's deed, insurance documents or other important paperwork, be sure to wear gloves. The soot on fabrics and ashes from the items can linger on your hands and lead to irritation if you touch your eyes, nose or mouth before having the chance to wash your hands. 

Don't: 

Enter Your home until it is safe 
Your home may appear to be structurally sound, but there is no guarantee that damage has not been done somewhere that you cannot see. Do not enter the home until it has been inspected and deemed safe by fire damage professionals. 

Try to clean the walls and floors yourself
Trying to clean soot off your walls and off of your carpets is more complicated than everyday cleaning supplies can handle. 

Turn on any electronics 
The hardware and wires of your computers, TVs, phones and other electronics may have suffered damage in the fire. The home's electrical system may be compromised as well. For your safety, consult with an electrician before turning on any electronics or light switches. 

If your home has sustained severe fire damage, the team at SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine/ St. Augustine Beach will work hard to restore your home and belongings. The fire damage repair teams help clients throughout St. Augustine, FL, regain their homes and peace of mind. In addition to fire restoration, SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine/St. Augustine Beach also provides water and storm damage services and mold remediation. Visit the website and browse all the offerings, or call 904-429-4457 to request help.