What to Do with Items During Fire Damage Restoration in Hampstead Homes

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damages many things, including personal possessions. We have the knowledge to help you with the restore or replace decision.

SERVPRO Considers the Overall Effect Items Have on the Restoration of Your Hampstead Home

It takes different actions to complete fire damage restoration, including cleaning, resurfacing, and removing materials or items from a house based on the extent of the fire. The damages to items in your Hampstead home can be primarily characterized as charring and accumulation of residue deposits. You must decide what to do with the affected materials as you restore your property.

The choice made can influence the course of fire damage restoration at your Hampstead home. For example, choosing to dispose of items can reduce clutter, thus improving restoration speeds. Disposal is not viable in all instances since replacing items is costly. The decision by SERVPRO on item handling depends on the overall restoration goal.

For some items, the decision is straightforward:

• Remove insulation with soot residues
• Remove and dispose of any food in freezers and refrigerators 
• Protect metal and chrome materials with a thin oil film

Although the choice of action may seem arbitrary, it is based on specific aspects. For example, the decision to dispose of insulation rather than cleaning it is since it is cheaper. Therefore, disposal is the best approach for any other item in the house whose replacement cost is lower than restoration.

The heat and gases produced by fire affect food items, making them toxic to consumption after an incident. Removing and disposing of all canned food and emptying the fridge helps. Any other object in the house that might pose some danger after the restoration should be removed. HVAC filters fall in this category since they can recirculate residues back into the property affecting the indoor air quality.

Although the fire might not consume some items, they need protection during the restoration process. Soot residues corrode or stain metal and stone surfaces, respectively. Protecting such materials with a thin oil film prevents severe damage that would necessitate replacement.

With assistance from SERVPRO of Pender / West Onslow Counties, you do not have to worry about repairing fire damage. Call us at (910) 319-0600.