A house fire is a devastating experience. Not only do you lose your home, but some or all of your belongings inside as well. In addition, the soot and smoke damage can be extensive and costly to repair. If you have suffered a house fire, don’t panic! There are things you can do to bring your home back to life. Here are nine essential tips for restoring a fire-damaged house.
A house fire can ravage a home within minutes. And unfortunately, house fires are pretty common too. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are about 365,500 home structure fires reported annually in the United States, causing an estimated 2,655 deaths and $7.2 billion in property damage each year. More relevant data in relation to house fires also shows that approximately 15,000 people are injured annually due to home structure fires.
So what do you need to do if you want to bring your fire-damaged house back to life?
1. Secure the Property
After a house fire, it is important to secure your property as soon as possible. This includes boarding up windows and doors, and covering any exposed openings with heavy plastic sheeting. You should also ensure that the fire scene is properly contained to prevent any unauthorized individuals from entering. It is likely you will not be able to stay in the property until it is properly fixed, so put all the measures in place that you can to ensure there will not be any further damage to your property, or to any belongings that are left.
2. Assess the Damage
Once you have secured your property, the next step is to assess the damage. Have a professional come in and inspect the house thoroughly to determine what can be saved and what needs to be replaced. Be sure to get a written report from the professional, as this will help you when it comes time to file an insurance claim.
3. Remove the Damage
Once you have an idea of what needs to be replaced, you can begin the process of removing the damage. This includes everything from taking down walls and ceilings to removing furniture, carpeting, and any other items that have been destroyed by the fire. It is important to move quickly with this process so that the damage does not become worse.
4. Clean and Sanitize
Once the damaged items have been removed, it is time to start the process of cleaning and sanitizing. This step is essential in order to prevent further damage from occurring due to soot and smoke. A professional should be hired to do this work as they will have the right tools and techniques needed to get the job done. You also want to ensure that no dangerous fumes are lingering in the property, so you may need to get another expert in to help you test for this.
5. Restore Electrical and Plumbing Systems
Once the cleaning and sanitizing process is complete, you can begin to restore the electrical and plumbing systems in your home. This is an area where you will need to be extra careful as any faulty wiring or plumbing can cause further damage and even injury. Hire a professional to take care of this as they will have the knowledge and experience needed to get it done right.
6. Restore Drywall and Insulation
When it comes to restoring drywall and insulation, you will need to hire a professional to do this work for you. This is because, without the right tools and techniques, you can easily cause further damage or even injury. A professional will have the know-how to properly restore the walls, ceilings, and insulation in your home. It may also be an opportunity to make your home more energy efficient, so think about the quality of insulation you put in too, as you wouldn’t want to open up the walls again in the future if you don’t have to.
7. Replace Flooring
Once the drywall and insulation have been restored, you can begin to replace the flooring in your home. Here, you will want to choose a type of flooring that is fire-resistant and durable. You should also take into account the aesthetics of the flooring, as it can have a big impact on the overall look of your home.
8. Replace Furnishings and Decor
You can then begin to replace any furnishings or decorations that were damaged in the fire. This is an opportunity to update and change the look of your home, so have some fun with it and choose pieces that will bring life back into your home. If you can’t afford to replace things from you, look out for some good local second hand deals.
9. Final Inspections
The final step in the process is to have your property inspected once again by a professional. This will ensure that all the repairs have been done correctly and that your home is safe for you to move back into. It will also serve as proof when it comes time to file an insurance claim. And if you’re thinking of selling your home in the future, a professional inspection will be an important selling point to show that the home is safe to live in.
Once all of these steps have been completed, you can finally move back into your home and start the process of rebuilding your life. While the experience of a fire can be devastating, it doesn’t have to be all bad. With the right plan, you can restore and improve your home so that it is better than it was before. Good luck!