Hopefully, you never have to experience what fire restoration involves - but if you do, it’s always a good idea to be armed with the appropriate knowledge. Here are the five essential steps for fire restoration:

1. Assessment of Damage

After confirming the property is safe to enter, the first thing a fire damage contractor must do is assess the damage sustained in the fire (including water damage from containing the fire.) This involves determining how far the flames and smoke have penetrated the structure and how extensive any cleanup is likely to be. This step also involves an assessment of the contents inside the property to determine what should be discarded or restored.

2. Security of Property & Debris Removal

Securing the property includes: installing fencing, removing debris, boarding up openings in the structure, and sealing off parts of the roof to protect what's left of the property from the weather. If certain areas were not impacted by the fire, restoration professionals need to ensure that these areas are sealed off to minimize any cross-contamination.

3. Demolition, Water Removal & Dry Out

The goal during this stage is to prevent further damage due to mold or corrosion by removing water and drying out the property. Personal property will be removed from the interior of the structure. Damaged drywall, flooring, and other materials will be removed down to the studs. Water extraction crews will work with commercial equipment to dry out the structure.

4. Clean Up & Smoke Removal

Clean-up is the most intensive part of a fire damage restoration job. This step involves tons of manual labor to properly clean smoke and soot from interior and exterior surfaces. Following proper cleanup, deodorizing agents are used to fully remove any lingering smoke odors. If water damage restoration has also been performed, it may be necessary to sanitize or apply antimicrobial chemicals to stop any subsequent mold growth. Clean-up also involves duct cleaning to remove any soot, smoke, or debris that may have settled in ducts.

5. Construction & Restoration

The final step in returning the property to pre-loss condition is performing any necessary fire damage repairs or to rebuild fire-damaged areas. This may include: rebuilding and replacing the roof, replacing electrical, replacing and painting drywall, and replacing flooring materials, interior counters, and fixtures to bring the property back to pre-loss condition.