Monday, June 3, 2013

Fire Water Restoration Should Be Left To The Experts

By Ladonna Chambers


Having your home and belongings damaged by fire is both traumatic and stressful. In the process of extinguishing a fire, the water or foam products used can create almost as much damage as the fire to the fabric and structure of the building, not to mention the contents. Hiring an experienced and professional fire water restoration expert as soon as possible after the fire is out will help to prevent further damage, and keep your restoration costs to a minimum.

The extent of the damage to the structure of the property needs to be assessed before a clean up operation can commence. In the event that the structural damage is severe, it may be more cost effective to knock it down and build from scratch. Alternatively the structure of the building may require to be shored up with scaffolding and made safe to work on. The restoration expert and a building surveyor will assess the level of damage and advice on the best way forward.

As a matter of urgency the supplies of gas, electricity or other fuels need to be isolated and shut down. Utility providers need to called in to check their supply lines. The supplies should only be turned back on after the pipes and cables have been checked for damage from the fire or water.

Excess water left behind by a fireman's hose needs to be pumped out, usually with heavy industrial type pumps. The furniture and other belongings will need to be removed and either stored until it can be cleaned and repaired, or disposed of safely. It may be necessary to use a vehicle or a skip to remove all the waste.

Drying the structure out can take a few hours or a few days, depending on how damp or wet the structure is. If the roof, windows and doors are damaged they will need to be removed or covered to make the building weather-proof. Wood or plywood is often used on windows and doors and canvas is used to cover holes in the roof.

If the work is going to take some time and the property is uninhabitable, security becomes a real consideration. The expert can usually recommend several options, including the hire of security fencing for around the property. Steel shutter can be used to secure doors and windows, or hire a security company to patrol the property when workmen are not on site.

How much of the restoration work you intend to carry out on your own will help to keep the overall costs down. However, for health and safety reasons it is always best to leave any structural restoration to the experts. You can concentrate your energies on reclaiming your personal possessions and restoring them to their natural state.

Insurance policies for buildings and contents will usually cover fire water restoration after a fire. However, it is advisable to check the policy and speak to your insurance broker before you start the restoration work. Many insurance providers will have a list of restoration experts that they would prefer you to use.




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