Fire moves fast. Within minutes, a spark can spread and completely destroy everything inside a room. This devastating scenario is, unfortunately, quite common: About 344,000 residential building fires were reported in 2023, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. That amount includes thousands of deaths and injuries, along with billions in dollar losses.
Fire safety can prevent disasters—simple precautions such as blowing out candles when you leave the room and keeping flammable items away from your stovetop can protect your house and family. Along with fire safety measures, it’s important to know what actions to take if a fire does occur and, after cleanup, how to rebuild your home.
This extensive guide is designed to prepare you for the worst-case scenario, covering immediate action steps, the stages of house fire damage restoration, and home remodeling tips after the fire.
The fire is out, the local fire and police departments have been called, and you and your family are out of harm’s way. Now, several questions need answering: How severe is the fire damage? What personal items can be salvaged? What will your insurance company cover?
Once you have emotionally recovered and are ready to restore what was lost, the very first step is to call a local fire restoration company. A restoration team can assess the property damage, clean up debris, and discuss restoration options with you. Some companies, including Sierra Restoration, will go above and beyond by helping find your family accommodations if you need somewhere to stay temporarily. They will also communicate directly with your insurance company to provide claim details and advocate on your behalf.
A note of caution immediately following the fire: Do not re-enter your home before fire officials and the restoration team confirm it is safe. Even if the fire is out, dangerous levels of smoke and soot will remain, and only a professional can determine the structural integrity of your property.
Fire damage cleanup is a multi-step process during which fire restoration experts remove debris and permanently damaged items, clean surfaces, remove soot and smoke, and store any salvageable personal items. The process begins with a thorough inspection.
When the restoration team arrives at your property, they will immediately begin inspecting your home and assessing the extent of the damage. Beyond visible signs of damage, fire experts assess the structural integrity of the house and look out for the three major types of fire damage:
After going room by room and documenting the damage, the team will share the records with your insurance company.
Once the documentation is complete, the restoration team will secure your property and prepare for cleanup. This may involve storing any salvageable personal belongings that were not permanently damaged by the fire. All other obviously damaged items will be removed and disposed of.
The house may need to be boarded up, fenced, or partially covered with a tarp, particularly if the fire left a substantial opening in the ceiling or a wall. Covering the house also prevents rain from entering the house and causing additional water damage.
Excessive moisture in the home can lead to long-term problems, including water damage and mold development. Your restoration team will be specially trained to locate hidden spots of moisture in the home.
Restoration professionals remove moisture in homes using specialized equipment, such as industrial-level dehumidifiers. They may also use fans to circulate air and completely dry the area before proceeding.
Some demolition may be necessary before reconstructing a fire-damaged house. If there is structural damage to the house, either from the fire itself or from water damage, your restoration team will communicate what needs to be done and develop a suitable timeline for demolition.
Inhaling fine particles from fire smoke can be harmful to both human health and pets.
Smoke mitigation and soot removal make the air in your home safe to breathe again.
There are five types of smoke and residue damage that fire damage professionals target:
Fire restoration professionals identify and treat each type of smoke damage, utilizing the most efficient mitigation methods to eliminate smoke and soot and restore clean air to your space.
Finally, your restoration team can begin restoring your property. Your team will work with you to develop a remodeling plan, determine a timeline, and identify the necessary construction, design preferences, and other details.
You and your house remodeling contractor can decide the details of your remodeling job: the timeline, exact repairs and replacements, and budget. The following home remodeling tips can help you have a smooth experience:
Ideally, the company handling your restoration can also guide your home remodeling. The technicians who are most familiar with your case can provide the most reliable advice and support.
The team at Sierra Restoration possesses the expertise and tools necessary for comprehensive reconstruction and remodeling. From planning to construction to finalizing the details, our remodelers are fully qualified and ready to support you every step of the way.
If you had “someday” plans to remodel your home, now might be a good time to see what’s possible. Decide upfront whether you want to explore new layouts or prefer to simply restore what was lost. Your restoration team can guide you on what kinds of designs and details are doable.
We strongly advise investing in a professional home remodeling contractor. Unless you are a licensed contractor yourself, choosing an expert to restore structural support in your house and provide design guidance can alleviate the stress and uncertainty of doing it yourself.
If a fire has impacted your home in or near the Cache Valley, call Sierra Restoration. Since 2010, we have provided Utah and Idaho communities with competitive pricing, professional craftsmanship, and 24/7 emergency assistance at home. We proudly provide services in:
Our trusted restoration and remodeling team applies our motto to every job: “Restoring dreams one home at a time – with value, quality, and timeliness in mind.”
Schedule your emergency appointment with Sierra Restoration at 435-466-7749.
If you have a question or would like to request a free estimate, please contact us using the form below.
If this is an emergency, please call (435) 563-4007 for 24/7 service.
