In our last blog, we began discussing the steps of the cleanup process and how to determine which structural elements of your home need repair and replacement after a fire. We also shared the reasons why it is crucial for you to seek fire damage restoration immediately after the fire is put out. Read last week’s blog here or continue reading below to learn more about the steps that must be taken to repair your home after a fire.

Removal Process

A major part of the restoration process is the removal of damaged property and structures. Removing these immediately will not only lessen the smoke odor, but may lessen the damage caused by the corrosive nature of smoke and soot. Below are some of the parts of the home that must be looked at after a fire and the factors we take into consideration to determine if they must be restored or completely replaced.

Granite & Formica

In many cases, granite or formica countertops can be cleaned, but as mentioned earlier the amount of time damage is allowed to sit will determine if your countertops will be saved. Often, if a small damaged appliance is allowed to sit on your countertop, you will have a permanent stain.

Carpet

Carpet can actually be salvaged if it was only lightly exposed to smoke. In most cases, when there has been a major blaze, the carpet will have to be completely removed and replaced.

Laminate

In most cases, laminate and the supporting foam underneath will have to be replaced, especially if smoke made its way under the flooring itself.

Insulation

Insulation is another item that will need to be removed and mostly likely replaced. Insulation is usually removed anyway so a better assessment of smoke damage (i.e. if smoke made its way into the wall cavity) can be done. Nails and other metal building materials that can corrode, as well as wiring, can be damaged in a fire and so must be inspected during an assessment.

Odor Counteractant

After all damaged materials have been removed, one of the next steps is to apply odor counteractant. The odors of a fire can remain, in some cases, for a hundred years after the fire. A thermal fogger or ozone treatment can be used to deodorize after a fire.

Sealant

Another step after all damaged materials have been removed is to apply a sealant. When items such as wood expand due to heat, if they are not sealed after a fire, they will release smoke odor. For this reason and others, it is crucial that you hire a professional fire damage restoration Paramount Restoration instead of a general contractor to fix your home. In the past, those that did not hire a professional were forced to rip out their repairs, address the smoke odor issue, and re-repair their homes, costing the homeowners more money in the long run.

Paramount Restoration in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

If you’ve enjoyed reading our blogs about fire restoration, stay tuned to learn more about fire damage and how to pick up the pieces after a fire in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. If you or someone you know in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area has recently been the victim of a fire, be sure to call Paramount Restoration! We offer 24 hour, 7 day a week emergency restoration response because our number one priority is our customers. We want to help you recover not only by restoring your property, but also financially through our honest professional assessors. Have water damage or in need of mold remediation? We do that too. Visit our website to learn more about Paramount Restoration and to contact us today!