How to repair fire damaged house

1/6/2023 (Permalink)

Fire fighter coming out of fire damaged house

Fires can cause immense damage to homes and the people who live in them. The physical destruction that a fire can cause is devastating, but there are steps you can take to repair your home after a fire has occurred. With the right tools, resources, and support, you can begin the process of restoring your house back to its former glory. 

Let’s break down how to repair fire damaged houses and where the best support can be found.

Assess the Damage 

The first step in repairing a fire damaged home is to assess the damage done. It’s important to be aware of what areas have been affected. This will help you determine what repairs need to be made—and how extensive they might be. Take pictures of the damaged areas, so you have a record for insurance purposes. Make sure all members of your household know which areas are unsafe or off-limits until repairs are complete. 

In many cases, the home will be unlivable until the smoke damage is removed (since the smoke damage can be harmful to a person’s health). You’ll likely need to board up and tarp up your home to prevent further damage. A fire damage restoration company can help with this.

Clean Up 

Once you’ve assessed the damages, it’s time to start cleaning up! This means discarding any items that cannot be salvaged. This may include furniture and household items that have been destroyed by smoke or water damage from putting out the fire. 

You should also remove any debris from inside and outside of your home—this includes burnt wood, ash, debris, etc. Make sure all hazardous materials are disposed of properly according to local regulations. 

Cleaning up promptly will help reduce potential health hazards associated with living among debris in a damaged home environment. During this process, remember to wear the appropriate PPE to protect yourself from harmful toxins. 

Keep in mind, a professional fire restoration company can also help clean contents that have been damaged by smoke and soot. They usually have access to large industrial equipment that can clean clothes, blankets, rugs, and other items and remove the odor of smoke from them.

Repair & Restore 

Now it’s time for the actual repairs! Depending on how severe the fire damage was, you may need professional help for some aspects of this process (e.g., electrical wiring). Otherwise, you may choose to do some repairs yourself (if they don’t require special expertise). 

That being said, in most situations, drywall replacement and structural repairs are required. It’s usually safer to contact a turnkey restoration company for this process. You want to make sure that your home is safe and structurally sound moving forward.

Once all the necessary repairs are completed, it’s time to restore your home! This could mean repainting walls or replacing flooring as needed; both will depend on how much damage was done during the fire itself and during clean-up efforts afterwards. Replacing furniture and other household items is also an important part of restoring your home after a fire has occurred. Remember to keep a full inventory of everything you replace, so it’s available for your insurance company if required.

Fire damage can be incredibly destructive; however, there are steps that can be taken to repair your home following an incident like this one! Assess the damage done by taking pictures; clean up debris both inside and outside your house; and then repair & restore whatever needs fixing or replacing (with professional help if necessary).