A home fire is a traumatic experience, and it can sometimes feel like the recovery and restoration process simply prolongs that trauma. It is important, as a homeowner, to understand the restoration process before you experience a home fire. That way, you can go into the process feeling better informed and prepared for what is ahead. Eliminating confusion can make the restoration stages easier to navigate. Here's a look at some of the things to expect from your fire damage restoration process.

Property Assessment Is Essential

Before any restoration efforts begin, the contractors will start with a complete assessment of the property. This is essential because it helps the restoration contractors establish a plan based on the actual conditions. This step includes a walkthrough of all of the areas that have been deemed safe, a discussion about the areas that are unsafe, and a thorough evaluation of the property and possessions that are damaged.

Cleanout Can Take Time

The next step in the process is to clean out the space so that adequate restoration can begin. This means taking time to assess each item in the affected area for smoke, fire, or soot damage and addressing it accordingly. Anything that can be cleaned and restored will be preserved. Anything that is beyond recovery needs to be disposed of. Once this stage is done, structural restoration can begin.

Structural Restoration Varies With Every Home Fire

The amount of structural restoration necessary will depend on the severity of the fire, the location where it happened, and how much water damage resulted from the fire department's efforts. Once the area is cleared out and accessible, the contractors can begin any demolition and disposal necessary for safety; then they begin the reconstruction, decontamination, and restoration of the space.

If there is water damage, this restoration process starts with drying things out. The extent of any structural water damage cannot be adequately assessed until the area is dry. In addition, the sooner the space gets dried out, the less risk you have of mold growth. The restoration process will include not only mitigation for soot and smoke but also mold inhibitors to protect against mold growth from the firefighting efforts.

These are some of the most important things to understand when it comes to fire restoration. Talk with a contractor near you today for more information and to determine if they can help you with the damage to your home.