Your Home and Roof After a Fire – Steps to Recovery

Avoid panic and confusion when a fire threatens to destroy your home. Knowing what to do after a home fire will help you secure your home and protect your loved ones.

New Image Roofing Atlanta gathered crucial information and guidance on surviving and recovering from a catastrophic house fire.

Experiencing a house fire will change your life in several (often traumatic or overwhelming) ways. Knowing the necessary steps required after the fire can help you regain control, ensure safety, and begin the recovery process. Consider the following:

• ✔
  Stay Calm and Follow Your Evacuation Plan

  The first priority during a fire is your and your family’s safety. It’s vital to have an established evacuation plan that everyone in the household knows. During a fire:

  • *
    Alert Everyone: If you detect a fire, immediately alert everyone in the house. Ensure that everyone knows how to get out quickly and safely.
  • *
    Use the Safest Exit: Use the nearest exit to leave the house. Use a secondary exit or window when your primary exit is blocked by fire or smoke.
  • *
    Avoid Smoke: If there is smoke, stay low where the air is cleaner, and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth.
  • *
    Do Not Delay: Do not attempt to collect belongings or pets; focus on getting everyone out safely.
  • *
    Gather at a Safe Location: Once outside, gather at a pre-designated meeting spot, away from the house, and ensure everyone is accounted for.

  Assisting Those with Disabilities or the Elderly
  Ensure that elderly or disabled family members are assisted during the evacuation. Assign a family member to help them if necessary and ensure everyone knows how to assist those who need it.

The faster you engage emergency services, the less damage a fire can inflict on your home. Emergency responders typically arrive within minutes after an emergency call. Immediately do the following:

• ✔
  Contact 911 Immediately
  Once everyone is safely outside, call 911 to report the fire. Provide the dispatcher with:

  • *
    Your home’s address.
  • *
    The nature and extent of the fire (if known).
  • *
    Any known hazards, such as gas lines or flammable materials.
  • *
    Whether anyone is still inside the house.
• ✔
  Notify Neighbors
  If the fire threatens neighboring homes, notify your neighbors and urge them to evacuate if necessary.

Fire and smoke damage may appear (and smell) much worse than it is. Here are the steps to get the cleanup started:

• ✔
  Assess the Damage
  After the fire is extinguished and authorities have declared it safe to return, assess the damage. This includes:

  • *Smoke Damage: Smoke can cause significant damage to walls, ceilings, and belongings. Smoke residue is acidic and can corrode metals and permanently stain surfaces.
  • *Water Damage: Water used to extinguish the fire can cause its own set of problems, including waterlogged furniture, soaked walls, and potential mold growth.
  • *Structural Damage: Inspect the home for any signs of structural damage, such as weakened walls, floors, or roofing.
• ✔
  Hire a Professional Cleanup Service
  Ensure a thorough cleanup and restoration by considering a professional fire damage restoration company. These experts can:

  • *Remove Smoke Residue: Use specialized cleaning agents and equipment to remove smoke stains and odors.
  • *Water Extraction and Drying: Deploy industrial fans and dehumidifiers to dry out water-damaged areas and prevent mold.
  • *Debris Removal: Safely remove fire-damaged materials and debris from your home.
• ✔
  Ventilate the Home
  Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate and help remove lingering smoke odors. This also aids in drying out any moisture from firefighting efforts.
  Tip: Air movers (high-powered fans) can be placed near doors and windows to accelerate ventilation.

The intense heat a fire produces can severely damage your home’s support beams (wood, metal, or concrete). Use the following to ensure you are entering a safely supported home.

• ✔
  Structural Inspection
  Before making any repairs, it’s crucial to have your home inspected by a structural engineer to ensure it is safe to reoccupy. The engineer will:

  • *Evaluate the Stability: Check the overall stability of the home, including load-bearing walls and support beams.
  • *Inspect for Hidden Damage: Look for hidden damage that could compromise the home’s structural integrity.
  • *
    Roof Inspection: Pay special attention to the condition of the roof, which may have been damaged by the fire or firefighting efforts.
• ✔
  Roof Safety
  A critical part of the post-fire inspection is assessing the roof’s condition. Even if the fire didn’t reach the roof, it might still be compromised by:

  • *Heat Damage: Intense heat can cause roofing materials to warp or weaken.
  • *Water Damage: Water used to fight the fire can seep into the roof structure, leading to potential water damage or mold growth.
  • *
    Debris: Fire debris could have fallen onto the roof, adding weight and possibly causing damage.

  If any issues are found, immediate repair or replacement is necessary to prevent leaks or further damage.

After a fire, several key organizations and service providers should be contacted to help restore your home and begin the recovery process.

• ✔
  Insurance Company
  Notify your insurance company as soon as possible to report the fire. They will:

  • *Assign an adjuster to assess the damage.
  • *Guide you through the claims process.
  • *Cover fire, water, and smoke damage according to your policy.

  Watch this video for more information about insurance policies and deductibles.
  

• ✔
  Property Management
  If you rent your home, contact your property management company or landlord. They can:

  • *Coordinate with your insurance and restoration teams.
  • *Provide guidance on your responsibilities versus theirs in terms of repairs and restoration.
• ✔
  Power Company
  Contact your power company to:

  • *Ensure the electricity is safely turned off if it wasn’t already done by emergency responders.
  • *Safely restore power once repairs are complete.
• ✔
  Water Company
  Reach out to your water company to:

  • *Address any potential issues with water lines or flooding.
  • *Ensure that water service is safe to resume.
• ✔
  Gas Company
  If your home uses natural gas, contact the gas company to:

  • *Ensure that the gas supply is safely shut off.
  • *Conduct an inspection of the gas lines before turning the service back on.
• ✔
  Fire Restoration ServicesA professional fire restoration service can handle the entire cleanup and restoration process. These professionals can work with your insurance company and can often provide comprehensive services, including:

  • *Smoke and soot removal.
  • *Water extraction and drying.
  • *Structural repairs.
  • *Roof inspection and repairs.
• ✔
  Local Government or Building InspectorIn some cases, local authorities or a building inspector may need to certify that the home is safe to occupy again. They will:

  • *Conduct a final inspection after repairs are complete.
  • *Issue any necessary permits or certifications for reoccupation.
• ✔
  Mental Health Services
  Experiencing a fire can be a traumatic event. If you or your family members are struggling to cope with the aftermath, consider reaching out to mental health professionals for support.
• ✔
  Community Assistance Programs
  Many communities have assistance programs for families affected by fires, including temporary housing, food, and clothing. Contact your local Red Cross or community center for help.