When your home is destroyed by a flood, termites, hail, or even a wildfire, you initially feel out of place and hopeless. The place that was once your sanctuary is now unsafe and unlivable, and you're not sure what to do first. Actually, your first call should be to a home restoration company. They have the equipment to dry out your home, assess the damage, and then make the necessary repairs to make it livable again. It may not be tomorrow, and it may not be next week — but you'll have your home back. Learn more about restoration and home repairs by reading the articles we've collected on this website.
If you're trying to recover from a residential fire, you can't afford to make mistakes with the processing of the damage. Unfortunately, it's easy to make mistakes in a moment of extreme duress, such as a house fire. Here are four mistakes you'll want to avoid while recovering from a house fire.
Failing to Document the Damage
After a fire, many people leave the damage documentation to their insurance claims adjuster. Unfortunately, that's not the best approach to take. The claims adjuster will want to find ways to reduce the amount of damage that the insurance company needs to reimburse you for, which means they might not provide the best documentation. To make sure you receive the maximum compensation you're entitled to, you need to document the damage for yourself. This is particularly important if you haven't hired your own public adjuster yet. Once you hire your own adjuster, you can provide them with the documentation you gathered.
Failing to Sort Through the Remains
After a fire, you might not think to sort through your belongings. However, that's exactly what you need to do. As soon as the property has cooled, and the fire department has given you the go-ahead, you need to start sorting through the remains. You'll want to look for items that can be salvaged. If you wait for the insurance company, you may not be able to salvage any of your belongings, especially once mold begins to grow from the water used to extinguish the flames. To make sure you're able to recover as much of your property as possible, gather a group and start going through each room of the house. Be sure to wear safety gear while sorting through the debris though. Your belongings may be coated with toxic chemicals after the fire.
Failing to Secure Your Property
After a fire, the idea of securing your property might not cross your mind, especially if the damage is significant. However, without securing your property, your home becomes an easy target for vandals and thieves. That's why it's so important that you secure your home as soon as you receive the go-ahead from the fire department. The best way to secure your home is to place plywood over all your doors and windows.
Failing to Hire a Restoration Team
Finally, after a fire, you may feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. It's important to know that you don't need to do it on your own. In fact, when you hire a fire damage restoration company, they'll take care of the hard work for you. If your home has been damaged by a fire, reduce the stress you're under by hiring a fire damage restoration company.