Nothing can be more disturbing than watching your home on fire. It takes years to buy the house of your dreams, and it can be heart-wrenching to suffer from such kind of trauma. In such situations, when a fire occurs in your home, keeping human lives safe is always a priority. Nothing can be more precious than your loved ones, so you have to act fast to help your family members move out of the place. You should be relieved if you manage to come unharmed from the fire. There is always a chance of rebuilding a home after the fire if you are in a good physical and mental state.
It can be a daunting task to rebuild your home after a fire. From damaged interiors to water-socked valuables, it could be tough to know where to start. The road to recovery after the fire can be a long process. Therefore, you need to have a clear idea of how to proceed with rebuilding your house. Without further ado, let’s find out how to rebuild your home after a fire.
Analyze the Extent of Damage
Before starting the restoration, you need to assess the extent of damage to your house. You should have a clear idea of the total damage to your house to discuss it with professionals such as those at Total Restoration, who can guide and provide you with solutions. After discussing the extent of damage with professionals, you will know how much time and work it will take to completely restore your home to a livable state. Also, the fire damage professionals will inspect your house to look for structural damages such as load-bearing walls, basement retaining walls, and beams.
When it comes to repairing the damages after the fire, you have to start with the structural repairs. The structural components of your home are its standing point, so you need to get them fixed first. You need to find experienced professionals who can take care of the structural damages, such as structural engineers, carpenters, and civil construction professionals.
Apply for Fire Insurance
You need to get started with the fire insurance claim process as soon as possible after the fire. Usually, the fire damage is covered through home insurance. A delay while applying for insurance increases the risk of more damage as your insurance company can deny the claim.
After the fire, calling your insurance provider will help you set up the inspection of the place. It will give a clear idea to the insurance providers about the extent of claims and damage. You have to keep key points in mind to discuss claims with your insurance agent. It includes the list of damages in the house, referral for a reliable fire restoration contractor, and release of claims duration.
Secure your Home
Securing your home after the fire against the intrudes and the weather is necessary. You can use the plastic tarps to seal the roof. For doors and windows, you can use the thick plywood that will make it tough for intruders to enter your home by removing the screws or nails from outside. You must understand that a damaged home is still valuable, so you have to take precautions to secure it to prevent further damage.
Dry Out your Home
Water damage is common as a result of the firefighting efforts. Therefore, you have to clear the stagnant water and dry out your home. You can use the pump to remove the water from the entire house and afterward use the dehumidifiers to dry your home. To make things easier, you may consult the relevant professionals that will help you execute everything efficiently.
Remove Smoke and Soot
After the fire, it is common for soot stains and thick black smoke to remain in your house. You need to use the shop vacuum to clear the soot but do not rub it against the surface because it can make the removal of stains difficult.
To remove the soot stains, you can use a dry cleaning sponge. You can use the mixture of hot water and liquid dish soap to dry clean the soot stains. You may also use the rag to wipe away smoke stains.
Clear Char and Debris
Burn marks are common after the fire, often leaving plenty of debris. Again as mentioned above, you can use a shop vacuum to remove the larger debris and other small items. Depending on the fire damage, you can remove the sections of flooring, drywall, and cabinets. Cleaning every corner of your home will make the rebuilding easier.
Kill Bacteria and Get Rid of Burning Smell
Smokey odor and bacteria are among the after-effects of fire that you need to get rid of as quickly as possible. Standing water can give birth to insects, mosquitoes, and germs, leading to different diseases. That is why you have to make your home free from bacteria before rebuilding it. Baking soda is known to remove unpleasant odors after a house fire. You may sprinkle it in all portions of your home and vacuum it after a few hours. When it comes to getting rid of bacteria, you can mix the bleach with a gallon of water and spray it everywhere.
Start Focusing on Rebuilding
Once you have completed all the steps mentioned above, you need to start focusing on rebuilding the home. You should know that rebuilding the home depends on different factors as per the extent of the damage. For example, you may only have to repaint your kitchen after a small fire. On the other hand, larger fires require rebuilding at a large scale. You should be familiar with the construction process to guide the professionals and rebuild your home as per your needs.
Conclusion
Fire disasters can be frustrating and devastating. It can be very tough to recover from the trauma caused due to a fire in your home. But you need to maintain your composure to assess the situation and act accordingly. The extent of fire damage is different in every home, so you need to take measures as per your situation. Consulting with the relevant professionals will play a key role in restoring your house from extensive fire damage.
