What Is The Fire Damage Restoration Process?

When we speak to our clients or fire victims, we always walk them through the entire fire damage process from the emergency services such as boarding up windows, to the public adjusting portion, to the smoke and water damage restoration part.

Fires in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are an everyday occurrence sadly. Fire damage can be incredibly devastating to a home or business. Emergency responders will be quick to act to put out the fire. Doing so leaves behind significant water damage in addition to the fire and smoke damage.

This destruction only becomes worse when lingering smoke and soot come into the picture. Such a traumatic experience can leave homeowners and business owners in Chicago desperate for help. Fire disaster restoration professionals, like those at Harris Claims Services can help bring a property back to its original condition.

Fire Damage Assessment

A fire damage assessment should be conducted as soon as possible to determine what type of harm occurred and how to proceed with the restoration process. The fire damage restoration and repair process is very involved and requires time and diligence. Emergency responders will use water or dry chemicals to extinguish the fire, which compounds the damage, the destruction caused by the fire. The lingering soot and smoke both can cause quick deterioration and corrosion of the building, so they also need to be stopped.

Smoke also leaves behind an obnoxious odor that can be dangerous to breathe in, and removal of the odor is a multi-step process that begins with the initial clean up. It is imperative to start the restoration process within the first few hours to stabilize and preserve as much as possible.

The Restoration Process for Fire Damage

The following steps should be done by a certified and local fire restoration professional:

• Step 1: The initial clean up should occur as soon as possible. Soot and water can cause further harm and severe problems down the road. These issues should be addressed immediately, and professionals can assist homeowners with inventory services. Any items and appliances that can be restored should be removed out of the property and cleaned.
• Step 2: Any walls, roofs, or windows that were affected will need to be boarded up and tarped off. This is to prevent further damage and ensure a measure of security is in place.
• Step 3: Water must be removed as soon as possible to avoid further issues like mold growth. Restoration specialists at Harris Claims Services will have the proper equipment that can speed up the drying process, such as water vacuums, dehumidifiers, and air movers. The dehumidifiers also help prevent floors and walls from warping.
• Step 4: Chicago experts at Harris Claims Services will clean and sanitize all restorable items to prevent staining. Our technicians will use professional grade restoration products to avert soot from further staining various items.

Thermal Fogging for Smoke Damage

One of the most challenging aspects of fire damage is the smoke odor. This type of odor is difficult to remove because it can affect every aspect of a building, including wood frames and HVAC systems. One of the techniques that are used by professionals to remove the odor is called thermal fogging.

Thermal fogging is highly efficient because it mimics the size of smoke particles. The particles produced by thermal fogging attach themselves to the smoke particles, making the smoke particles no longer recognizable as an odor. Thermal fogging is a popular technique because it eliminates the problem quickly. Professionals will use thermal fogging in conjunction with other equipment and processes to ensure that the odors are eliminated.

The Final Step for Fire Damage Restoration

The final step in the fire restoration process is replacing any items or appliances that couldn’t be restored to its original condition. If the fire was severe enough, then further evaluation will be needed. Harris Claims Services understands the complexity of fire repairs. Use of engineers and other experts to evaluate proper repairs is common practice. Testing of contaminates behind walls, where smoke damage may not be seen is a common practice for Harris Claims Services Chicago fire repair team.

By understanding the restoration process following a fire, homeowners and business owners can easily see the need for hiring professionals like Harris Claims Services Chicago to handle the task efficiently and expediently. Leave it to HCS to help restore your property in the case of a fire disaster. Our professionals have over thirty years of experience helping home and business owners restore their property.

If you become a victim of a fire, please call (847) 329-8444 right away, we’re local and available 24/7/365.