Fire and Smoke Damage in Airdrie
Fire and Smoke Restoration
When your home or property is victim to a fire, it can be difficult to know what to do next. The list of things to be done to restore the property can be extensive and require a multi-faceted approach by restoration professionals.
Fire and Water
When a fire erupts, it can’t always be put out in time to stop sprinkler systems from wetting the structure. Even in the absence of sprinklers, first responders who arrive on the scene of an active fire often need to use large amounts of water to extinguish it. While this is necessary, it can complicate the restoration process to have, both, fire and water damage. Depending on the location of the fire, it can damage plastic piping and cause ruptures leading to further water damage.
Our Approach
Our professionals are available 24/7, allowing us to respond to customer needs quickly. We understand the level of stress that our clients can be feeling after an event like this, and we work to reduce that stress as much as possible by providing guidance and oversight of the restoration process. When you call us after a fire, our first step will be to determine the extent of the damage.
Investigation
An investigation involves having our professionals enter the building (when deemed safe to do so) to see the extent of water and fire damage. While some small fires require only surface fixes, such as drywall, damage to the structure extends the restoration process significantly. Any household items that are salvageable will be tagged, and items that have been too damaged will be marked for removal. When the investigation is complete, your professional will have a broader understanding of the situation and the steps required to fix it, as well as the cost to do so.
Security
A property that has been affected by fire has often been rendered insecure due to the need to break windows or due to fire that has burned through the structure. In order to secure the items left in the building, and in order to prevent further damage from rain, snow and other elements, your building will be closed-in using tarps, plywood and temporary fencing as needed. Not only does this prevent your property from damage, but it also prevents entry and theft of the items remaining in it. If damage is restricted to one area of the building, salvageable contents will be moved to other unaffected areas where they can be walled-off to keep them safe and secure. Once this is complete, industrial dryers may be brought in to dry the home and prevent any mold formation. Once dry, surfaces and structures are sprayed with a chemical to prevent bacteria and mold growth.
Removal
Once the affected areas of the structure are clear of belongings, removal must begin. This involves removing all the remnants of debris from the area as well as damaged drywall, flooring and ceiling material, soot and ash. The same will apply to the exterior of the structure, removing all damaged siding and insulation if required. Removal can take some time if damage is extensive and may require heavy equipment in some cases. Our restoration professional will handle coordinating these for you and will be able to answer any questions you might have along the way. Working with our professionals means you get a single point of contact to the person overseeing your project and you don’t need to worry about keeping pace with various contractors and sub-contractors.
Cleaning the space once it is empty can be the longest part of your restoration journey. We combine professional-strength deodorants and elbow grease to clear areas of residual smells and clean every surface by hand as necessary. Before turning air vents on, they are cleaned to remove any accumulation of debris or smoke smell in the vents. A thorough cleaning process is critical to prepare the environment to be restored to its previous condition.
Restoration
The amount of damage done to a structure will determine the extensiveness of the rebuild. Where structural framework has been compromised, reconstruction of the structure must be completed first. Restoration may require the efforts of a number of professionals once the frame is built. These could include plumbers to repair any melted pipes, electricians to rewire the circuitry, and renovation professionals to repair surfaces. Drywall, paint, flooring and fixtures may all need to be installed, and counters and backsplash are typically required in kitchen fire restorations. When you work with us, we can partner with you from the day of the fire until the last baseboard is laid. That means that you can let go of the stress of managing permits and communicating with your insurance company. Our professionals will provide a finished result that is as good or better than pre-loss condition.