Fire Damage FAQ
Handling fire damage is no easy task and can even be overwhelming when discovering your property is severely damaged from the flames. But regardless of how far the damage has spread, taking quick action to start the recovery process is critical, especially when limiting costs and downtime.
As soon as you have ensured everyone’s safety and the flames are out, call your local fire damage restoration provider. ServiceMaster Kwik Restore is available in Cary, IL and the surrounding areas to provide 24/7 fire and smoke damage repair. Our technicians are always available to respond to the damaging effects of fire and smoke, using advanced equipment and processes to safely restore building materials and items.
During this process, it’s common for everyone to have questions, so here is a list of questions we are asked frequently:
Can Fire Damage Be Repaired?
Though the answer to this question depends on the extent of the damage, fire damage can often be repaired. Our technicians act quickly, performing a thorough inspection to assess the damage before working to mitigate excess moisture from firefighting efforts, safely remove soot and ash residue, and restore structural elements and belongings damaged by heat, flame, or smoke. We will provide guidance and communication about realistic expectations throughout this process.
How Can I Assist the Restoration Process?
Every property owner will want to start the restoration process and do everything they can themselves to make it more efficient. But any effort in using household cleaning agents of any kind can actually worsen the damage as it can cause the residue to smear and seep further into the affected material.
It’s best to wait for the restoration technicians to arrive. They have the proper equipment, products, and resources to safely restore your building materials and items. One thing you can do to aid the restoration process is set items aside that must be restored first, such as electronics. This allows us to be more efficient during the recovery process.
How Long Is the Restoration Process?
This will depend on the extent of the damage. Destruction across multiple floors will take days or weeks to restore compared to one roof of a home. Also keep in mind that commercial buildings like offices and warehouses will take longer than homes due to their size, and they also have to pass an inspection code with the city.
Do I Need to Move Out During the Restoration Process?
This will also depend on the extent of the damage. If the structure is not stable or you are left without running water or electricity, you should relocate temporarily. But for smaller fires that affected a single area of the home, small factors like noise disruption and smoke smell will be present. It’s ultimately your decision whether or not you choose to stay.
Which Items Should I Take with Me?
Any items with personal or high monetary value should be kept with you at all times, like:
- Family valuables, coins, and artwork
- Personal documents
- Checkbooks, cash, and credit cards
- Medications
Should I Pack Up My Belongings?
In most cases, the contents will be restored on-site, but sometimes the property has suffered extensive damage which makes this impossible. If the structure is not stable or does not allow for ideal conditions, we will have your items inventoried, packed, and delivered to our climate-controlled facility for proper restoration.
If any high-value items require specialized restoration, we will contact the help of a local specialist. ServiceMaster Kwik Restore will work with your insurance agent to find a trusted professional.
Can I Access My Items While They Are in Storage?
Yes! You will always have access to your stored items, especially important documents and clothing. We just ask that you call ahead of time and schedule a time that works best for you. An additional charge may be applied to access the items.
How Can I Inventory Items that Need to Be Replaced?
It can be difficult to remember the specific items in your home that were damaged, but general information including the quantity, year purchased, and price will be sufficient information to have the insurance claim cover the cost.
Here is an example:
- Bookshelf; 2012; $2,000
- 2 boxes of cereal; 24 ounces; $8
Items like toiletries and food may sound insignificant when including their value to the insurance claim but replacing all of them can be expensive. It’s a good idea to include everything and make a copy of the list for your reference.
Can I Turn on My Furnace or Air Conditioner?
No. We ask that you please leave the HVAC unit off until it has been inspected by one of our technicians. Without even knowing, fire damage may have affected the unit and turning it on can lead to spreading soot particles throughout the property. Please wait until we have inspected and approved the unit for use.
Emergency Fire Damage Restoration
Disasters are never anticipated but being prepared can save significant costs and downtime during the restoration process. Just knowing how to respond can mean the difference between a few hours and a few days of restoration work.
ServiceMaster Kwik Restore is available in Cary, IL and the surrounding areas to provide complete fire damage restoration services for homes and buildings that have recently suffered a property fire. Our technicians are each licensed and experienced to respond right away, address the damage, remove all smoke and soot particles, and repair the building structure.
We can also provide additional services like odor removal, reconstruction, and water damage restoration as we are a full-service restoration company. When working with our professionals, you can expect complete peace of mind.
Available 24/7
Contact ServiceMaster Kwik Restore at 847-908-5914 for professional fire damage restoration services in Cary, IL and the surrounding areas.