Owning a home is a lot of work but it really is worth it when everything starts to come together, but there are plenty of issues that abound from time to time. No matter how much you prepare and how well you feel you are able to make sure your home is protected, sometimes bad things happen. Two major issues that people face are fire and water damage. These two elements can wreak havoc on any kind of home, which makes them dangerous because they can show up anywhere and at any time. That’s why we composed this guide on how to fix damage caused by fire and water in your home.
You may have experienced it in the past, or you may be trying to prepare your home to handle any kind of damage in the future. If you are trying to fix fire and water damage to your house, check out these tips.
Fire Damage
Get a Contractor Quote
The first thing after you experience fire (or smoke) damage in your home is to recover from fire damage and get a contractor quote to see how extensive the damage is. There is a lot of damage to be checked out if it is extensive enough so you have to be sure that you are getting some help and this site shows how important it is to consult with experts, especially for something as life-changing as damage to the home. Always get quotes to see the level of fire damage.
Fortunately, you can work with companies like Yeti Restorations. They specialize in property rescue, fire and smoke restoration, and water damage remediation. They can also assess the damage caused by fire and determine whether you have a valid insurance claim. Remember, knowing the extent of the fire damage is crucial when you file a claim with the insurance company.
Generally, a basic homeowner’s insurance policy includes coverage for fire damage. Depending on your policy, they cover your house, other essential structures in your property, your personal property, such as artwork and jewelry, and other living expenses. Because of this, you should determine the extent of fire damage to speed up the insurance claim process.
On the other hand, it’s also essential to procure photos and videos to strengthen your claim and help the insurance company settle it as quickly as possible.
Get a Restoration Loan
If you get a quote, you can use this as evidence to ensure that you are able to secure a loan to cover the cost of damages. Restoration loans are available through lenders or banks to help foot some of the bill. Getting some additional financial support is key during this time because fire damage, as mentioned, can be extensive and expensive.
Remove Smoke Damaged Items
You can remove any furniture, clothing, carpets, etc. that were damaged from the fire if they retained smoke damage. Sometimes they can be salvageable if they didn’t retain too much fire damage, and they can be cleaned, like a carpet or rug, but many times, it might be too far gone. You should try to remove anything that was damaged in case it still leaves a lingering smell of smoke.
Repaint Walls
Another thing you can do to repair some of the damage done is to repaint the walls. Of course, this works best if the damage is done is merely smoke damage, but it could be important to fully redo some of the walls to make sure there are no remnants of the damage done.
However, unless you’re a painting expert, working with a professional painting company to handle the job might be a better idea. With painting pros, you can make the task much more manageable and expect a more pleasant outcome.
Water Damage
Seal Leaks
When it comes to water damage, you are going to first want to make sure any leaks or seals are fully secured so water won’t keep streaming out. Find leaks under sinks, behind toilets, and other pipes and connective areas for water flow. Sealing these can help prevent more damage from water coming out. You can also notice the damage done if you see water stains or hear dripping, both dead giveaways for the source of water leaks.
Replace Plumbing Pipes
Replacing your plumbing pipes is not something you should do on your own, so if you can, you need to call in expert plumbers to help you out. Plumbing is serious business and you can do even more damage on your own if you try to fix the problems without any existing knowledge on the subject. You can help out by replacing any loose bolts or washers that can easily help fix those loose bits of pipes that will make sure your pipes stay where they should be. All in all, it’s best to make sure you bring in a professional.
They can evaluate the extent of the plumbing problem and determine the best course of action to take. If the plumbing pipes require a replacement, having professionals can make the job much safer. They have the tools and equipment to complete the task quickly and without hassle.
Dehumidify and Reduce the Moisture
The residual moisture of serious water damage is an issue that needs to be resolved or else you can be experiencing problems like warping floorboards or sweating wall paint. Dehumidifying the areas will help suck up any remaining moisture to make sure the water that caused the initial damage doesn’t linger and remain damaging.
Inspect Foundation Damage
The biggest problem for water damage is a flooded basement, and a flooded basement could mean a compromised foundation. The foundation of your home could be one of the most expensive fixes you can pay for. Call in an inspector if the basement was flooded to check for cracks, leaks, or causes for concern that should be addressed immediately. Water and fire damage to a home can be some of the most difficult to deal with, but knowing how to resolve it and knowing how to prevent it will help keep your home and your wallet safe.
