Immediate Measures After Water or Fire Damage
According to the Red Cross, 25% of Americans don’t have a fire extinguisher or a safety plan in case of a fire. The survey also showed that only 27% of homeowners and commercial building admins believe that they might have to deal with fire damage. At the same time, over 50% of Americans believe that they can deal with water damage easily.
Fires and water damage are one of the most common disasters in the US, even more so in 2021. Not only does it cause immense damage to the house, but it also puts a lot of mental stress on the owner(s) and all other occupants. A lengthy and taxing process may begin after water or fire damage.
However, it doesn’t have to be so. When facing water or fire damage, your valuables may be soaked or covered in ash, soot, and smoke damage. You need to pull yourself together and stay in control. Here is what you can do after a disaster to minimize loss, mitigate damage, and make sure it doesn’t overwhelm you.
Things You Should Do After Water or Fire Damage
Check on Your Family & Employees
It might seem obvious, but it isn’t uncommon for homeowners and businesses to forget someone inside or overlook a potentially serious injury. After all, your property and life savings might be on fire or underwater; there is bound to be some emotional baggage there.
Let everyone know that you are alright and make sure everyone else is okay, as well. Take a breather and contact anyone you don’t see around you but are supposed to be with you. You should also consider contacting other family members. Let them know about the situation and that you are okay.
If you don’t have any family close by, consider calling a friend. The idea is to help you get some support as the water or fire damage restoration process begins.
Call Your Insurance Agent
One of the biggest mistakes that property owners make after water, fire, or smoke damage is that they don’t call their insurance agent. You shouldn’t assume that anyone else is going to call them for you or that you will be disturbing them if you call at this hour.
Whether it’s early morning, evening, or late night, if you are facing a disaster, call your insurance adjuster immediately. By doing so, you will start the event processing procedures and documentation quicker and begin the insurance claim process.
After a few hours or days, the insurance agent will contact you again to determine the damage; that is where 911 Restoration of West Wyoming comes into play. Our experience in dealing with such emergencies and communicate with your insurance provider can help you make the most out of your claim; perhaps even cover emergency lodging and living expenses.
Make sure to get a copy of the fire report from the fire marshal. It will significantly speed up the insurance process and home restoration.
Figure Out What is Salvageable
Property owners must manage their expectations about what is salvageable, but at the same time, be realistic. In many cases, small fires have a large carbon footprint but may not do that much damage. Your belongings may seem burned, but they might just be covered with soot. The same goes for water damage; it might seem intensive but may not be.
However, there are also chances that your property’s structural integrity may be damaged. In this case, even after the fire is over or water is drained, your property may not be safe because of any lingering issues. Hence, fire marshals don’t let anyone enter the home until a full inspection is done.
Once you are allowed inside, take a close look at your belongings and see what is salvageable. Try to make a list, if possible. We recommend doing so before restoration companies and insurance companies arrive; this will give you a better idea of the work that needs to be done.
If your property has been damaged, not destroyed, a professional fire damage cleanup will go a long way in helping you make the place habitable again. You may also require water damage mitigation services to prevent or reduce the risks of mold and other water damage, even in a fire.
Safety First
Exit your property as soon as possible and do not go back under any circumstances while the fire is raging or water is seeping. Let the emergency services handle it. All it takes for fires to start again is a small electrical spark or a gust of wind. Even water damage can lead to fires due to water ingress. Furthermore, there is always some hidden damage that you need to keep in mind as well.
The drywall, roof shingles, and even the floor base can be damaged and may fall when you or others are inside, not to mention the health risks associated with breathing in smoke, soot, or mold spores. The fire marshal will tell you when it’s safe to enter.
When you do, limit how many people enter and focus on things most important to you, such as valuables, paperwork, and prescription medication packaging. Do not consume the medicines themselves as their chemical composition might have changed when exposed to heat or water.
The packaging should help you get replacements. Avoid any foodstuffs from your home as well as the contaminated water, smoke, or soot are most likely already within them.
A home or business fire or water damage can be a frightening experience, to say the least, but working with the right water and fire damage restoration and mitigation company can make the recovery process much easier and streamlined. 911 Restoration of West Wyoming has a rapid disaster restoration unit to help you in your hour of need, no matter where you are. We also work with your insurance company and help you get the best outcome from your claim and get you back on track. So, give us a call and let us help you recover!
