The Process of Fire Restoration
No one should have to go through the tragedy of losing a home; however, the reality of the situation is that nearly 380,000 residential fires occurred last year alone. As of right now, the Woolsey fires in California have destroyed 1,600 homes, and over 600 homes in Werstern Oregon have burned down due to wildfires. These numbers, unfortunately, will only increase as the West Coast “fire season” rages on.
This problem is not limited to hot spots like the West Coast—house fires are much more common than one might think, and the prospect of rebuilding a home can be daunting to most. Although there are many steps in restoring a home in the wake of a fire, our experts at Kelmann Restoration are ready and able to help the families of those whose precious homes incur damage due to fires. Kelmann’s unique approach to fire damage restoration, coupled with our close partnerships with insurance companies, ensures that your home will be restored to its former condition as soon and as safely as possible.
Here’s a closer, step-by-step look at how we approach restoring your house:
1. Arrive on Scene & Assess the Damage
In the immediate aftermath of a house fire, our primary goal is to make sure that your home is safe. Once we arrive at the scene of the fire, we survey the property and evaluate the integrity of the structure. Even after the fire is extinguished, there are several hazards that we must identify to make sure your family will be safe. No matter how small the fire and subsequent damage is, it is incredibly important to first check with the fire department and our experts before re-entering your house. As you might expect, there will be plenty of fire and smoke damage, but, usually, homes experience water damage as well, which is why our experts provide water damage restoration services as part of our first-response package.
2. Secure the Structure & Draft a Plan
You may be wondering: what exactly are we looking for when assessing the severity of fire, smoke, and water damage? First, when Kelmann Restoration provides fire and smoke damage assessments, we secure the property with boards and tarps to ensure that nothing gets in or out. We then determine the scale and scope of the damage and catalog which areas of the property require the most attention as well as track how many personal belongings have been irreversibly damaged. Once the property has been sealed off and barricaded, and once we have estimated the size of the project, we jump right into taking the first steps toward preparing your home for renovation. In order to do this, however, we must first systematically repair the property.
3. Clear out the Structure & Extract Water
At this juncture, our hard workers clear out the wreckage from the site; this enables us to work within a safer space, and, conditions permitting, provides you with a safe space to inhabit while we draft a plan of action for your specific needs. We then extract water—usually left over from the firefighters, though it is common for pipes to burst in the event of a fire—to prevent further leaking, both in the foundation and on the roof, and we control humidity levels by using industrial dehumidifiers in an attempt to mitigate harmful mold growth. We also use interconnected systems of industrial fans and hardwood dryers to make sure that every drop of water is removed from all surfaces of your home. Water damage is particularly difficult to deal with, which is why we place so much emphasis on getting the work done right away.
4. Deodorize the Structure & Remove Airborne Toxins
Afterwards, our team uses advanced cleaning and deodorizing tools as well as industrial air-movers and fans to remove harmful smoke damage and soot residue (we guarantee that we will completely eliminate any and all odors in the aftermath of a fire of any size!). Our aim is to eliminate airborne toxins and fumes leftover from the fire and smoke damage and to leave your home smelling fresh. Once we have completed the above mentioned tasks, our team will begin reviewing the catalog of your personal possessions so that we may move forward with our contents restoration services.
5. Prepare for the Long Haul & Initiate Contact with Insurers
As you can see, our process at Kelmann Restorations is quite thorough. The initial steps we take to mitigate additional emergencies are important, but they are only a part of a greater whole. While our emergency services experts do their best to make sure that your home is safe, the rest of our team works with you to draft up a long-term plan of action to restore your home to its former condition; additionally, we take care of your insurance needs by communicating directly with our partners in the insurance industry. In the unfortunate event that you require our services, we promise that we will do everything we can to make the process as easy on you as it can possibly be.
Here at Kelmann Restorations, we go above and beyond to provide you with the best possible customer service and support during what will assuredly be a difficult time. We hope that you will not have to deal with the experience of a house fire of any size; however, if you want to do everything you can to preemptively place yourself in a better position to deal with a house fire, Kelmann Restorations offers a no-cost priority response membership. Team Kelmann will draft a personalized emergency response plan and provide educational opportunities for those who sign with us today!
We are extremely confident in our ability to address your needs, big or small, but don’t take our word for it—see what others have to say about our incredible customer service or take some time to look through pictures of restoration projects in Southeast Wisconsin. For more information about our processes and services, contact our friendly professionals at Kelmann Restorations today! The process of fire damage restoration can seem difficult and long, but, together, we can make sure that your home receives the attention and care it deserves.