Having a fire at your home or business is an extraordinarily stressful life event. Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be overwhelming as you try to put your life back together. If you have had a fire, professional fire and smoke damage services are one of the best ways you can get back on track. These services may even be covered as part of your homeowner’s or business insurance, meaning that you would not have to pay out of pocket for them or you could be reimbursed.
After a fire, it is imperative that you act quickly. This is especially true if water was used to fight the fire in your home or business. Professional fire and smoke damage services can help you assess the extent of the damage and whether or not the fire penetrated the structure. It is possible that you may not be able to reenter your home or business until it is deemed safe by a structural inspector. Not all damage is caused by the fire directly. Smoke and soot also cause damage, and even the heat of a fire can cause damage as well.
Everything needs to be documented for your insurance as well, so don’t get rid of anything, but it is important to act quickly to move upholstered and other items out of the property quickly to reduce their secondary exposure to smoke and other contaminants. The property may need to be protected temporarily against looting and vandalism by boarding up doors and windows or installing temporary fencing. The process of removing soot and smoke can be hazardous, which is why it is best to consult with professionals offering fire and smoke damage services.