Although you may think it can never happen to you, fire and water damage to homes is more common than you may think. One in 50 homes will file an insurance claim for water damage while one in 350 will file one for fire damage.

Either scenario can feel devastating for any homeowner, which is why fire and water restoration companies exist. These businesses have the tricky job of cleaning up the damage and making sure the home is safe and livable again.

Read on to learn more about how these businesses help homeowners get back on their feet after a fire or flood.

They Assess the Damage

The first thing a fire and water restoration company does following a disaster is assess a home’s damage and give the homeowner an idea of what the repair timeline can look like. It’s generally not safe to enter your home after flames or water has made it uninhabitable. Fire and water restoration company employees are equipped to safely enter a home so a homeowner doesn’t have to.

They also tend to provide 24-hour emergency service, which means they can begin helping you immediately following fire or water damage. It’s important to note that fire and water damage often go hand-in-hand, as firefighters will use water to extinguish flames. That’s why these companies offer services that deal with both.

They Contain and Protect the Damaged Area

Fire and water restoration companies will usually board up the part of the house that is damaged and tarp the roof if necessary. This helps isolate the burned or wet area and prevents weather elements or animals from making their way into the structure. This is also to prevent any thieves from making their way into the susceptible home.

They Dry the Home

Time is of the essence when water damage is present. Flooding or any kind of water build-up can lead to rapid mold growth and ruined furniture and carpeting.

Fire and water restoration companies help with water damage by using special dryers and dehumidifiers to remove moisture from surfaces and salvage your furnishings. Technicians will measure a room’s size and temperature to determine the amount of equipment needed to dry out the area fast.

They Remove Soot and Smoke

Fire can leave a lot of lingering damage. There’s likely to be soot collected on surfaces and smoke seeped into curtains, furniture, and wood.

A fire and water restoration company not only knows how to remove fire residue from a home, but they’ll remove as much of the smokey odor as possible. They’ll sanitize and deodorize the area of smells. Their goal is to have you enter your home and not know that a fire took place.

They Remove or Replace Damaged Areas

The last step these companies take towards restoring a home following fire or water damage is to remove or replace anything such as walls, ceilings, or cabinets. Usually restoration companies will focus on repairing structures versus replacing them unless it’s absolutely necessary to remove a part of a home.

These companies also declare when it’s safe for you to return to your home. You can now get back to a normal way of life.

Fire and Water Restoration Companies Are Your Heroes

Fire and water restoration companies truly are your heroes following a disaster. They jump into action immediately so you can enjoy your home again as quickly as possible.

To always be prepared for the possibility of bad weather that can lead to flooding or lightning strikes, follow the weather coverage on our site.