Property owners should have some basic knowledge of what to do first in the event of fire damage.
Even if the fire department doesn't declare your property damage to be "catastrophic," the aftermath of a house fire is devastating. It's hard for property owners to know what to do once the fire marshal leaves, and you're on your own.
1. CALL A FIRE DAMAGE EXPERT
It can sometimes take days for your insurance company to send out an adjuster and suggest a restoration plan, but you don't have to wait. It's beneficial and advisable to contact a fire damage restoration company like ServiceMaster immediately. They'll be there within an hour to help you figure out what to do next and how to talk to your insurance company.
2. PACK UP ANY VALUABLES, IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Because smoke damage creates a highly toxic living environment, very often you'll need to temporarily relocate until at least some smoke/soot cleanup is performed. If possible, salvage and pack any valuables or important documents (insurance policies, financial records, etc.) to take with you.
3. STAY SAFE
Do not touch anything soot-damaged with your bare hands; fire residue is a biohazard. Do not use electric appliances until they've been assessed for safety. If you still have power, make sure your HVAC system is off so the smoke and soot doesn't spread through to unaffected areas of the house.
4. CONTACT SERVICEMASTER WATER & FIRE RESTORATION BY J AND S TO HELP YOU WITH THE REST
Our family and crew has been helping residents for decades if they ever experience a property loss caused by fire.
Beyond the first 24 hours after the fire itself, there may be days or weeks of cleanup, repair, and reconstruction ahead. We will stay by your side through it all and make sure your property and your normal life is restored as soon as possible.
- Full-Service Fire Damage Restoration, Start-to-Finish
- Skilled, Licensed Tradespeople
- Insurance Claims Assistance, Documentation
- Workmanship Guarantee - We Stand By Our Work
Our team of professional and certified technicians is on call 24/7 to help you recover from fire and smoke damage, including:
- Emergency Board-Up and Roof Tarping
- Soot Removal and Cleaning
- Contents Packout and Salvage
- Project Management for the Many Contractors Onsite
- Smoke Odor Removal / Ozone Fogging
- Fire Damage Insurance Claims Assistance
- Water Damage Cleanup from Firefighting Efforts
Emergency Board-Up and Roof Tarping
Soot Removal and Cleaning
Contents Packout and Salvage
Project Management for the Many Contractors Onsite
Smoke Odor Removal / Ozone Fogging
Fire Damage Insurance Claims Assistance
Water Damage Cleanup from Firefighting Efforts
