Frequently Asked Questions About Fire & Smoke Damage

Welcome to our Fire & Smoke Damage FAQ page! Here, you’ll find frequently asked questions and informative answers to help you navigate the intricacies of fire and smoke damage restoration. United Water Restoration has compiled this resource to provide you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and take prompt action. If you have any questions about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

FAQs About Fire & Smoke Damage

Are United Water Restoration Group technicians qualified to handle fire and smoke damage?

United Water Restoration Group of Long Island technicians are trained and certified through the Institute of Inspection For Cleaning And Restoration (IICRC).

What is fire damage restoration?

Fire damage restoration refers to the process of cleaning, repairing, and reconstructing a property that has been damaged by fire, smoke, soot, and water. It involves a comprehensive set of actions designed to restore contents and properties to pre-fire condition or better.

How much does fire damage cleanup and repair cost?

A: Fire damage restoration professionals can recommend building materials and contents for which cleaning and restoration may be cost-effective and have a high success rate. Otherwise, the total fire remediation cost should include replacement costs for building materials and the labor needed for repairs or installations.

Does property insurance cover fire damage?

As long as the property was occupied during the month leading up to the fire, most fire damage should be covered under homeowners and commercial property insurance policies. Review the terms and limits of your coverage when considering the best approach to damage restoration and comparing fire damage repair estimates.

What are some common causes of fire damage?

Kitchen mishaps, heating equipment issues, faulty electrical components, smoking accidents, common human errors, and intentional fires are some of the most common causes of residential and commercial fire damage.

What are the steps to fire damage recovery?

Most fire damage situations include a series of 7 steps: Initial phone calls to insurance and restoration companies, inspections, damage mitigation, drying out the property, soot and smoke removal, deep cleaning, and restoration. UWRG is an experienced company that can help guide you through these steps to ensure that your home or business is completely restored.

Should I demo my fire-damaged property or rebuild?

Restoration is a viable option after most fires, including some serious ones. With the assistance of your insurer and a team of fire recovery experts, your situation can quickly return to normal. With extreme fire damage, demolition is the only reasonable course of action. Starting over is never a pleasant prospect, but sometimes, it’s not financially feasible to do otherwise. The worst case is when a structure that seems recoverable is not. The underlying damage may be more severe than first thought. The correct decision would have been to demolish it, saving valuable time and money. If you ever become the victim of a home or business fire, you will play a key role in the decision-making process. How you respond may help determine if demolition is part of the solution.

How long does fire damage restoration take?

The fire damage restoration process can greatly vary from situation to situation. Depending on the severity of the damages, it can take anywhere from a few days to even months.

Do I need to leave my property during the fire damage restoration process?

This depends on the severity of damage dealt during the fire damage event. A home or business may be legally deemed uninhabitable after a severe fire event and may only become habitable after fire damage restoration services conclude.

Can you board up and tarp damaged and exposed areas?

Our fire damage cleanup services include tarping exposed areas and boarding up damaged windows and doorways. This helps secure the property and prevents further damage and exposure to the elements.

Is water damage common after a fire event?

While firefighters can assist in putting out a fire, they won’t be able to clean up the mess left by their efforts to extinguish the fire. Water damage is commonly associated with fire damage as it is present during these efforts and can be left to permeate through your property.

Is smoke damage harmful?

Smoke damage can leave a thick residue on top of surfaces and items throughout a property. It can seep into porous materials and cause further deterioration of the items and lingering smells. Depending on the severity of the smoke damage, the air quality in the room can be potentially dangerous, especially if the materials burned are plastic or are made of harmful substances.

How can prevent fire damage at home?

There are many ways a fire can start and cause damage to your home. First, it’s important to ensure that combustible items in your kitchen are away from hot appliances such as ovens and stovetops. The smoke detectors in your home should also always be maintained and checked routinely for proper use. Any candles in the home should be away from flammable items and extinguished before leaving your home or going to sleep. Any items in the home that need to be stored and are possibly combustible should be stowed away from any equipment, outlets, or areas that commonly retain heat.