Do's & Don'ts After Fire Damage to Your House

1/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine is Here To Help 24/7, 365 days a year. Call 904-429-4457 for a free estimate!

A house fire is an unbelievable experience. Although you’ll feel relieved to be safe, you may be overwhelmed by the many tasks ahead. A fire restoration specialist can help address damage to your home. Here are some other helpful steps to take moving forward. 

Do:

Document the damage. 

The more information you provide your insurer, the better. When it’s safe to do so, walk around your home and take pictures of all damaged items and fixtures. Creating an inventory of damaged personal belongings is also recommended. Write down a description of the item, how old it is, and estimate the replacement cost. Include any receipts or bills of sale.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. 

Once you have all the essential information, report the damage to your insurer. Most insurance companies require a claim within a certain period of time. If you’re not sure how long you have, check your policy documents for more information.

Don’t:

Attempt to clean up the home alone. 

While it may be tempting to clean up, doing so can greatly endanger your health. Fire restoration professionals will come prepared with the necessary protective equipment to perform the task safely. There is also a risk of instability and structural damage, and you should get permission from a contractor before attempting to do work within the home.

Throw away damaged belongings before the adjuster arrives.

An insurance adjuster must evaluate badly damaged items. This helps determine the replacement value of said items, which will go towards the fund you receive from your insurer. 

SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine / St. Augustine Beach provides 24/7 assistance to help salvage your home after a fire. These professionals can clean all damaged areas, from upholstery to carpeting. They also offer water removal and restoration if the home sustained damage while the fire was being extinguished. Schedule an appointment with this locally-owned and -operated fire restoration company by calling 904-429-4457. You can also learn more about their services online.