Fire Damage
Mitigation
How to Handle Smoke and Fire Damage: Essential Steps for Homeowners
Experiencing smoke and fire damage can be devastating and overwhelming for homeowners. Understanding the critical steps to take immediately after such an event is crucial. Disaster Restoration Services (DRS) is committed to helping homeowners through this challenging time, offering 24-hour availability to ensure you’re never left alone when disaster strikes.
Step 1: Ensure Your Safety First
Before entering your home after a fire, ensure it’s declared safe by emergency services. Smoke and fire damage can compromise structural integrity, making your home hazardous.
Step 2: Contact Disaster Restoration Services (DRS)
Time is critical. The quicker professional restoration starts, the better your chances of reducing long-term damage. DRS is always open, always available—ready to respond swiftly 24 hours a day to mitigate damage and start immediate restoration.
Step 3: Document the Damage
Document the damage extensively for insurance claims:
- Take clear, detailed photographs and videos of affected areas.
- Keep a list of damaged belongings, noting their value and condition.
Step 4: Ventilate Your Home
Open windows and doors (if weather permits and security isn’t compromised) to allow smoke to dissipate. This step helps minimize lingering odors and smoke residue.
Step 5: Prevent Further Damage
- Cover unaffected furniture and belongings to protect them from smoke residue.
- Board up broken windows or doors to secure the property and prevent additional damage.
Place towels or plastic barriers beneath doors to prevent soot and smoke from spreading.
Our Role
Professional Assessment and Restoration by DRS
Our team at DRS will:
- Conduct a comprehensive damage assessment.
- Perform professional cleaning to remove soot and smoke residue.
- Use advanced deodorizing methods to eliminate persistent smoke odors.
- Restore damaged areas using industry-leading techniques and materials.
Step 7: Deal with Smoke Damage Specifically
Smoke damage goes beyond visible soot:
- Clean walls, ceilings, and surfaces with specialized smoke-damage cleaners.
- Launder washable fabrics, curtains, and bedding promptly to reduce smoke odor absorption.
- Professional ozone treatments or thermal fogging may be necessary for deep-set odors.
Step 8: Handle Fire-Damaged Items
- Safely discard items beyond repair to prevent contamination and odors.
- Professionally clean and restore salvageable belongings.
DRS professionals can advise on what can and cannot be safely restored.
Recovery
Final Steps
Step 9: Restore Indoor Air Quality
Air quality is often severely impacted after smoke and fire damage:
- Use HEPA air purifiers to filter smoke particles.
- Replace HVAC filters frequently to remove airborne contaminants.
- DRS specialists provide thorough HVAC inspections and cleaning to restore air quality effectively.
Step 10: Coordinate with Insurance
- Submit detailed documentation and restoration reports to your insurance promptly.
- DRS professionals assist with insurance paperwork and claims to streamline your recovery process.
Trust DRS: Always Open, Always Available
Smoke and fire restoration require immediate professional attention. Disaster Restoration Services is committed to providing rapid response, expert restoration, and compassionate support—available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
If you’ve experienced fire or smoke damage, don’t hesitate to call DRS immediately. We’re always ready to restore your home and peace of mind.
