One of the most frightening scenarios we can have in our homes is a fire. Fires can quickly spread and it puts everything in the home at risk. From your family heirlooms to your family itself, when there is a fire in your home, it is extremely dangerous. Fires can start for a number of reasons but the most common is kitchen fires. Kitchen fires can start by leaving pots on the stove or spilling grease, the possibilities are numerous and can happen to anyone. Once the fire is put out however and you survey the damage to your home getting help with fire damage in West Bloomfield Michigan is a must. We’ll go over some tips to help you deal with fire and smoke damage to your home and let you know of some steps you should take to help with the process.
Tips for Dealing with Smoke and Fire Damage in West Bloomfield Michigan
When you have a fire in your home there is usually a lot of damage. Even for a small kitchen fire the damage can be extensive and costly to repair. Replacing the cabinets in your home’s kitchen is a costly part of the process. But rebuilding the kitchen or area where the fire was is just the start of the problem. As the fire went on smoke from the fire typically travels throughout the home. This is especially true for homes that have HVAC systems that service the entire home. As the smoke reaches parts of the home it typically leaves a odor behind as well as soot all over everything, even cielings. Cleaning these areas where smoke has affected the home is a must if you want to remove the smell and the toxins that go along with that smoke. Hiring a fire damage restoration company such as Michigan Restoration Pros can help you deal with the smoke and fire damage to your home. And if you have smoke or fire damage, be sure to follow these tips:
Make Sure Your Family is Safe
When a fire breaks out in your home the number one priority is to make sure your family is safe. During the fire, there can be a lot of structural damage to the home which you may not be able to see. Don’t allow people back into the home until it is checked to ensure it is safe to return and start the cleanup process. While a small kitchen fire may not sound like much if it affects load-bearing walls in your home it can be problematic. Ensure that anyone who goes into the home also has the proper safety equipment needed such as respirators.
Secure Your Home
If the fire has affected an exterior wall of your home you’ll need to secure the home. Sometimes when a fire breaks out and leaves an open area for others to come into they will. Not only that you may have wayward animals that also come into the home. Securing the home using temporary barriers is a must and if you are not home sure to place ‘Danger’ signs around the home as well.
Examine Your Insurance Policy
Immediately after the fire has been put out and your family is safe you’ll want to look at your home’s insurance policy to see if you’re covered. Some policies will require you report the damage within 24 hours while others allow a longer time frame. Getting started on the repairs and restoration quickly can help to speed up the recovery time for the project. Plus, with time frames applied to your home’s insurance policy you’ll want to submit a claim quickly to ensure you will be covered and that the restoration will not take long.
Keep Track of Expenses
As with any type of home improvement project you’ll want to keep track of all the expenses. This also means keeping track of displacement costs if you were forced to leave your home. Living expenses are sometimes covered by home insurance policies as a result of fire. Check with your policy to see what all is covered.
Call a Home Restoration Contractor
Restoring your home back to it’s formal self will likely mean hiring a home restoration contractor in West Bloomfield Michigan. Be sure to call Michigan Restoration Pros if you need fire damage or smoke damage restoration.
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