What To Do After A House Fire

1. Contact Key People

Your Insurance Company

There are four things you need to address when calling the insurance company:

• Your claim: Starting the claim process ASAP is key. Fire restoration can take weeks or months, depending on the damage. The sooner you file, the sooner the healing can begin.
• Security: Ask about securing your property – boarding up windows or installing a temporary fence might be necessary.
• Restoration services: DIY fire restoration is a recipe for disaster. Inquire about using a professional restoration company. They’ll get your home back on track, fast.
• Policy coverage: Ask what your policy covers for temporary housing and living expenses while your home is being restored. Let them ease the burden during this difficult time.

Your Mortgage Provider

While fire damage won’t halt your mortgage payments, you may be eligible for some relief. Reach out to your lender to discuss forbearance options, which could allow you to temporarily pause or reduce your payments as you recover.

Your Fire Damage Restoration Company

Resist the urge to handle fire and smoke damage cleanup on your own. Instead, contact a professional restoration company. These experts can coordinate directly with your insurance provider, ensuring a smooth process and thorough restoration of your property.

Employers and Schools

If the fire disrupts your work or school routine due to displacement, notify your employer or school administration promptly. Early communication can help manage potential absences as you secure temporary housing and stabilize your schedule.

2. Arrange Temporary Accommodations

Before returning to your property, make plans for temporary housing. Whether you opt for a hotel, stay with friends, or find another option, be sure to save all receipts. These could be essential for claiming Additional Living Expenses (ALE) through your insurance policy. ALE acts as a financial safety net, covering extra living costs if a covered event, such as water damage, forces you out of your home. Keep those receipts—they may prove invaluable later!

3. Safeguard Your Property

After notifying the fire department and your insurance provider, the next step is to secure your property. The level of damage will determine the necessary precautions. For significant fire damage, hiring professionals is key. They will tarp the roof, board up windows and doors, and seal any openings to prevent further harm from weather or outside elements. Safety should always come first—authorities will grant permission to re-enter only once the property is deemed secure.

4. Manage Utilities

After a fire, the fire department will inspect your home’s utilities—water, electricity, gas, and heat—to ensure they’re safe to use. If any of these need to be shut off, resist the urge to handle it yourself. Instead, contact the appropriate utility company. Their professionals will inspect the equipment, make necessary repairs, and restore your utilities safely and efficiently.

5. Salvage What You Can

Once authorities have confirmed it’s safe to re-enter your home, it’s time to focus on salvaging your belongings. Start by gathering essential items like medications, personal aids (e.g., eyeglasses or hearing aids), and valuable or sentimental belongings.

Next, assess the damage and identify which items can be saved. Be sure to document everything, from items that are salvageable to those that are beyond repair. This includes keeping track of any expenses, such as replacing clothing or furniture.

Proper documentation is essential and will serve as a powerful tool during the insurance claims process. Restoration companies will also create their own records, but having your own detailed list of losses and expenses will ensure you’re fully prepared to navigate the claims journey.

The Importance of Professional Fire Damage Restoration

Soot, smoke damage, and lingering odors are far beyond what a garden hose and elbow grease can handle. Restoring a property after a fire is a complex process that requires experienced professionals equipped with the proper tools, expertise, and proven techniques. Attempting DIY fire restoration not only poses serious safety risks but can also worsen the damage to your property. Leave the restoration to the experts so you can focus on what truly matters—healing and moving forward.

At 1-800 WATER DAMAGE of Southwestern Indiana, our highly trained technicians specialize in smoke and fire damage restoration. Here’s how we approach the process:

Our Restoration Process

• Damage Assessment: We begin with a thorough inspection of your property to evaluate the extent of the fire damage. This includes structural assessments, salvaging items where possible, and determining the most efficient cleaning strategies.
• Customized Restoration Plan: Working closely with your insurance company, we develop a detailed plan to address all damage and outline the cleaning and repair processes.
• Debris Removal: Damaged materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, and flooring are safely removed. Any salvageable furniture, appliances, and personal belongings are set aside and carefully protected for the next steps.
• Soot and Smoke Cleaning: Our experts meticulously clean all rooms, removing soot and smoke residue from surfaces to restore the property to its original state.
• Odor Elimination: Smoke odors can linger long after a fire. We use specialized cleaning techniques to ensure they are fully removed, leaving your home fresh and clean once more.

Depending on the severity of the damage, this comprehensive process may take days, weeks, or even months to complete. However, our team is committed to restoring your property as efficiently and thoroughly as possible.

Contact 1-800 WATER DAMAGE

We’re here for you 24/7, every day of the year. Call us at (812) 610-4646 or fill out our online form to request immediate assistance. Trust 1-800 WATER DAMAGE to help you recover and rebuild after a fire.

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