Having a fire in your home can be devastating. Not only the property damage that occurs but also the emotional and psychological damage that can linger on for years. The smell of a house fire is something that you’ll never forget and unless you have a good home restoration contractor that can remove fire damage in West Bloomfield Michigan you can be smelling that smoke for a long time. When you have a fire in your home it affects the entire home since the smoke from the fire will usually carry throughout the home. Even for a small fire in the kitchen or a romantic evening by the fireplace that gets out of hand, a fire in your home can be very disastrous. We’ve put together some tips on how to better deal with fire damage in your home below including some things you should avoid if there is fire or smoke damage in your home.
Dos and Don’ts of Fire Damage Restoration in West Bloomfield Michigan
Although the toll of a fire in your home can be quite high there are some things that can usually be salvaged after the fire as long as they are dealt with right away. Things like family heirlooms and items that hold great emotional value that can’t be replaced are certainly on the top of the list of items that you’ll want to get back to normal quickly. A professional home restoration contractor will have the tools, knowledge, and equipment needed to restore much of the home back to normal. Things and home components that can’t be restored will be removed and repaired. A professional smoke damage restoration company will also remove the smoke and soot from the home which will also eliminate that smoke smell. Keeping your home in good condition and making sure things get back to normal quickly means you’ll need to take some steps to help. Here are some dos and don’ts of fire damage in your West Bloomfield Michigan home.
What You Should Do
- Take Care of Family and Pets – While getting your home back to normal is needed the emotional state and condition of your family comes first. Make sure they are safe and any pets need to be taken care of as well. Removing them from the home is usually the best option until things get back to normal.
- Contact a Home Restoration Contractor – Calling a home restoration contractor is very important because they will have the tools and equipment to get started right away. If there was water used to put out the fire in your home they will also have equipment needed to dry the water before it damages your home further.
- Contact Your Insurance Agent – Getting the ball rolling on your claim is crucial. Also you’ll want to take lots of photos of the damage before any type of cleanup or restoration is underway. This can help tremendously with the claim.
- Get the Home Evaluated for Occupancy – If you have a small kitchen fire, you may be able to stay in your home. However, sometimes electrical components, wiring, and even appliances can be damaged that you may not be aware of. Be sure to get the home checked by a professional before you decide to stay there.
What You Should Not Do
- Start Cleaning the Home – While getting the home back to normal means getting it cleaned up it’s usually not safe to do so until a professional can assess the damages. You may have live wires under debris which is very dangerous. Drying and cleaning the home is needed but only when it’s safe to do so.
- Wipe Away Chemicals That Were Used to Combat Fire – Some fire extinguishers have chemicals that work well for putting out fires but does not help humans or pets much. Before cleaning any chemicals from a fire extinguisher make sure to have the proper safety equipment
- Wait – The longer you wait the more damage that will happen in your home. For instance, mold can start growing in your home if you don’t deal with water damage.
Call a Fire Damage Contractor
If you’ve had a fire break out in your home be sure to call a home restoration contractor such as Michigan Restoration Pros. They are fully licensed and insured and can get your home back to normal quickly. Call them today at (248) 509-8104 for more details.