If you’re like many people, you don’t know a lot about what happens after the fire trucks leave and the emergency responders move on to another call. Who cleans up after a house fire, and what’s the process like? Here’s what you need to know.
Who Cleans Up After a House Fire?
After a house fire, fire damage restoration specialists step in. Often, people hire a fire restoration company immediately after firefighters extinguish the blaze – and in many cases, insurance covers cleanup and repair costs.
Fire damage restoration specialists include:
- Smoke removal experts
- Odor control technicians
- Upholstery, fabric and porous surface experts
- Water damage restoration professionals
Related: Fire damage restoration FAQ
How Does Cleanup Work After a House Fire?
Most fire damage restoration professionals follow these steps after a house fire:
- Inspection and assessment
- Damage control
- Removal of personal possessions
- Water removal
- Drying
- Soot and smoke removal
- Cleaning and repair
- Restoration
Here’s a closer look at each step of the process.
Related: How long does fire damage restoration take?
House Fire Cleanup Step 1: Inspection and Assessment
Your fire damage restoration expert will go through your home and see how extensive the damage is. He or she will also assess what needs to be done to repair everything.
House Fire Cleanup Step 2: Damage Control
Your contractors will perform damage control by putting tarps up to prevent further damage, boarding up doors and windows to keep people out, and performing other tasks that preserve the scene so it’s ready for cleanup and repair.
House Fire Cleanup Step 3: Removal of Personal Possessions
All of your personal possessions affected by the fire will come out of your house – they have to so that the cleanup team can do its job. Many of the items will need to be cleaned, repaired and restored individually, as well.
Related: What will you need to replace after a house fire?
House Fire Cleanup Step 4: Water Removal
The water that firefighters used to put out the fire is likely still in your home, so your fire restoration pros will remove it. They’ll vacuum away standing water so it doesn’t cause any further damage to your home.
House Fire Cleanup Step 5: Drying
Using commercial-grade fans and dehumidifiers, your fire restoration pros will begin the process of drying out your home. They’ll remove water from furniture, walls, floors and other elements of your home as well.
House Fire Cleanup Step 6: Soot and Smoke Removal
Your fire damage restoration expert will remove soot and smoke particles from your home using a variety of techniques so it’s safe for you to go back in.
Related: The top cause of house fires in the United States
House Fire Cleanup Step 7: Cleaning and Repair
Cleaning items damaged by the fire, affected by water or touched by soot and smoke can be a big job, so it’s one part of the project that your cleanup and restoration team will tackle as soon as possible.
House Fire Cleanup Step 8: Restoration
Your cleanup and restoration team will begin helping you put your life back together by rebuilding, refinishing and repairing things the fire damaged.
Do You Need a Disaster Remediation Expert in Washtenaw County or Jackson County?
If your home has already been damaged, we can help. Check out our services and call 517-262-3770 for your free disaster remediation quote today. We offer:
