Where there is fire, there is smoke. When a combination of fire and smoke exist within the confines of a home, severe property destruction inevitably occurs. Ruin can take the form of burned furniture, destroyed staircases and holes burned through a rooftop, for instance.

The consequences of a fire are devastating to homeowners and business owners alike. Fortunately, fire damage cleanup and restoration services are quick to address any and all issues related to a fire, helping you sort through the mess and return to a habitable home or business.

A reputable fire damage restoration company will possess a few distinctions:

• Up-to-date training
• Safety and health certifications
• Extensive experience in fire damage restoration
• Insurance
• References
• Appropriate licenses to perform the job

All of the following include the basic procedures within fire damage restoration:

1. Initial contact
2. Inspection
3. Board up and tarping
4. Smoke and soot cleanup
5. Odor removal
6. Water damage restoration
7. Complete restoration

When the criteria for a trustworthy fire damage restoration service has been met, these companies will perform a series of functions to restore the damaged area to its pre-damaged condition. Not all fire damage restoration processes are identical. However, certain basic responsibilities are undertaken to lessen the effects of fire damage.

1. Initial Contact

The very first step in the process is to call a fire damage repair service. If you are a home or business owner, it is prudent to keep on hand the contact information of a trusted fire damage restoration service in your area in the unlikely and unexpected event of a fire. Fire damage restoration specialists are on call 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies.

2. Inspection

Once a fire damage cleanup professional is notified of your situation, a technician will come out to evaluate the extent of the fire damage. Inspections and tests are performed to analyze the destruction and to develop an appropriate plan of action to counter the damage.

3. Board Up and Tarping

Board up and tarping services can provide security and stabilization until full reconstruction services can occur.

Fire can destroy windows, doors and even the roof. Gaping holes that remain after the fire is put out is an invitation to a host of problems, including pesky wild animals and opportunistic thieves. A professional fire damage cleanup service will board up the newly formed openings to the home caused by fire and place tarps on affected rooftops to protect the property against further ruin.

4. Smoke and Soot Cleanup

The most important service offered by smoke damage repair professionals is the cleanup. Soot residue, the discoloration of appliances, acid stains, rust formations due to acid residue and the discoloration of walls will result within minutes without an immediate effort to begin cleanup of the fire-damaged area. Typically, continued permanent damage can occur due to the acidic residues left behind after a fire. Soot is another harmful agent that can become layered within the residence or place of business if cleaning is not performed right away by a professional smoke damage restoration company.

The specialists at a fire restoration service will use advanced techniques to return the home or business to its pre-damaged state. The professionals also sanitize the property to make it fit to live in once again. Carpet cleaning is included to dislodge smoke and soot particles from between the fibers.

5. Odor Removal

Hydroxyl technology can fully eliminate tough odors from fire and smoke damage.

Lingering odors resulting from the fire are also removed using advanced fire restoration technology, including hydroxyl machines. The source of odors are pinpointed by fire damage restoration technicians and removed. Deodorization of the fire-swept property is important, as frustration and discomfort ensue from the unpleasant odors within the residence or business.

6. Water Damage Restoration

Closely linked with fire damage restoration is water damage restoration. If a fire has caused a water pipe to burst or leak, your property will be engulfed in pools of water. Many fire damage restoration companies also offer water damage cleanup services.

In these instances, a reputable professional will detect the source of the moisture and address the situation. Excess water is pumped out by water extraction technology, like submersible pumps. The area is thoroughly dried using powerful dehumidifiers. Sanitization is also included to clean the area of bacteria and pathogens that might have contaminated the water and to reduce the risk of health and environmental problems.

7. Complete Restoration

Restoration is offered by some fire damage restoration companies. Restoration services typically include both minor and major repairs. Installing new carpeting, replacing drywall and painting the home are all minor aspects of the restoration process. Major repairs include reconstruction of certain areas within the home or business. A good restoration process will return the home or business to its pre-fire state.

Damages Caused by Fire, Soot, and Smoke

Fire damage can wreak havoc within a property within minutes due to acidic soot residue and corrosion. If the situation is not addressed, a host of additional issues will arise within a few days, including:

• permanently yellowed walls
• Metal corrosion and rusting
• Necessary replacement of vinyl flooring
• Wood furniture requiring refinishing
• Permanently stained upholstery

Call for Help Right Away

The quicker you take action, the greater the likelihood that a fire damage repair service will return your property to its pre-damaged condition. In fact, experts recommend calling a fire damage restoration professional the same day the fire strikes. Continued destruction occurs even long after the fire is officially extinguished—unless swift action is taken.

RestorationMaster offers a few tips homeowners and business owners can take to expedite the cleanup process. The natural oil from human hands can cause secondary damage to affected materials, so it is important to not touch the walls or other property in the home. Leave the cleanup to the experts, since improper cleaning methods will only worsen the damage. Be sure to avoid using any electrical appliances that have been affected by the fire.

Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services

RestorationMaster is a trusted fire damage restoration company serving the Elk Grove Village, IL community of businesses and residential homes. Technicians at the company are skilled in utilizing advanced chemical cleaners to remove tarnishing and etching from household goods. The pros at RestorationMaster also offer emergency pre-cleaning, content cleaning and pack out, wall and ceiling cleaning and deodorization to counter fire damage. The RestorationMaster team is available 24 hours a day to take emergency calls.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.