6 Steps to Restore Your Home After Fire Damage in Birmingham, AL

What to Do After Fire Damage

Restoring your home after a fire may take some time, but following these steps can help you keep everything on track and moving forward:

• First, contact your insurance company. Contacting your agent right away means the claims process can be started immediately. Plus, depending on your policy, your insurance may provide assistance to pay for alternate housing if necessary.

• Do not enter your home until the fire department says it’s OK. Department personnel should also be able to tell you if it’s safe to turn on your utilities. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may want to talk to a structural engineer or electrician as well.

• Document everything with pictures and notes. Whether or not you’re able to re-enter the damaged area of your home, tae photos and video showing as much of the damage as possible. your insurance adjuster will also take photos, but you should still have photos for your own records. Also be sure to carefully document phone conversations you have with your insurance company or other people you contact about your fire, and keep emails and other documents pertaining to the fire. Get a copy of the fire department report to keep in your files as well.

• Remove any valuables that haven’t been damaged by fire, smoke or water. If documents like social security cards, birth certificates, passports, marriage licenses, financial records, deeds or mortgage documents or insurance policies have been destroyed by the fire, now is the time to call and arrange to have those items replaced. Make notes of all losses, including furniture, electronics and clothing, so you can file a claim with your insurer.

• If you need to move to a temporary location while your fire damage is repaired, alert the police and take steps to have your home secured to prevent vandalism and trespassing. Contact the American Red Cross or other emergency assistance groups if you need help with replacing lost clothing, finding temporary housing, or identifying other services that may be helpful in getting your life back on track.

• Make a plan to have the damage repaired. Depending on the type of damage that's occurred, you may need to contact an electrician, plumber, structural engineer or other contractor to evaluate the damage and plan out the necessary repairs. You should also contact a licensed home restoration company to remove debris, obtain temporary power so repairs can begin, and restore areas damaged by smoke, flames and water. Restoration companies can be great resources to help you find specialty contractors, including plumbers and electricians, and they can also help you plan out your restoration so you know what to expect, every step of the way.

Fire Damage Restoration in Birmingham, AL

Fire damage isn’t restricted solely to the damage caused by flames. Smoke can penetrate wood trim, walls, fabrics and other materials, causing stains and foul odors that can’t easily be removed. Water and other materials used to control fires can also cause damage, and in big fires, emergency personnel may need to cut through walls or roofs to gain access to the flames so the fire can be put out. What’s more, when water is used to extinguish a fire, it can cause damage behind walls and in other areas you can’t see, including areas not visibly damaged by flames or smoke.

Because a house fire can cause so many different types of damage, having a restoration contractor that’s skilled in fire damage restoration is essential for ensuring your home is returned to its original condition. As a leading home restoration contractor in Birmingham, AL, Brookstone Restoration uses the most advanced techniques to first assess and then correct fire damage, no matter where or how it occurs. Our team of experienced restoration specialists is dedicated to helping clients in and around Birmingham, AL, restore their properties and regain control of their lives as quickly as possible, without stress and without hassle. If you're dealing with fire damage in your home, call Brookstone Restoration at 205-436-2680 and speak with a specialist today.