3 Steps to Take Toward Fire Damage Repair & Restoration

Cleaning & Restoration Solutions

It’s hard to imagine the damage and destruction a fire can leave in its wake. Even small ones can require extensive fire damage repair and restoration.

Hopefully, you’ll never have to deal with picking up the pieces after a damaging fire. But unfortunately, we won’t all be so lucky. In 2018, there were more than 1.3 million fires in America, resulting in $25 billion in losses. On average, a home fire occurs every 87 seconds in the United States.

It’s important to be prepared. Here are three steps you can take toward fire damage repair and restoration after a fire:

  1. Beware of health hazards
  2. Consider smoke damage
  3. Call a fire damage restoration company

1. Beware of Health Hazards

Some people mistakenly believe that once a fire is put out, the danger is gone. However, homes that have suffered from fire damage can contain many hidden health hazards.

House fires typically release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These are harmful to breathe in; some can even cause cancer. You shouldn’t re-enter your home after a fire until the fire department declares that it’s safe to do so.

If you have to re-enter your home for whatever reason, make sure you’re wearing appropriate protective gear. Keep in mind that if you have to board up your home after a fire, it will take even longer for VOCs to exit the house.

You’ll also need to make safe decisions about which items in your home you can keep and which ones you need to let go. Think first about the essentials:

  • Food:Throw away any open containers of food in your cupboards and cabinets. If any food has been exposed to heat, water, or smoke, then throw it away, regardless of if it’s open or not. If your refrigerator lost power during or after the fire, then throw away all of the food in your fridge.
  • Medicine:Carefully inspect any medicine you’re hoping to keep. If there are any signs of smoke damage or fire extinguisher residue, it’s best to throw it away.
  • Clothing:Throw away any clothing that has been burned or has soot on it. Remember, some toxins can enter the body through the skin.

2. Consider Smoke Damage

Your first priority after a fire is making sure everyone you love is safe. But after everyone is accounted for, what will you focus on next?

Your thoughts may turn to your possessions, especially any valuables or keepsakes you’re hoping to salvage. As you learn more about the extent of the damage, you may consider what essentials you’ll need until your home is restored.

It may take a while before you start thinking about your home itself. Don’t delay for too long. Smoke damage sets in quickly and needs to be handled in a timely manner.

Smoke particles can seep into your walls, floors, curtains, furniture, bedding, and more, allowing the smell of smoke to linger for months after the fire. The sooner you address smoke damage, the more likely you won’t have to deal with long-lasting or permanent smoke damage issues.

Call a Fire Damage Restoration Company

Most people grow up practicing fire drills so they know what to do during a fire, but no one practices what to do after a fire. Our Lansing and Kalamazoo, MI, professional fire damage inspectors have the skills, experience, and training to help you restore your home. Call Camelot Emergency Water Removal at (833) 252-0488, or contact us online.

Services

24 Hour Emergency Response

Customer Video Testimonials

Customer Testimonial Video
Play Video about Customer Testimonial Video
Customer Testimonial Video
Play Video
Customer Testimonial Video
Play Video

Customer Reviews

Susan Shawaker
Susan Shawaker
2024-06-27
Rich Baker was on the spot, very helpful, David & Martin arrived the same day and got busy Cleaning out the crawl space. They were very courteous, got right to work, and explained everything to me. They are a 5 star team. So glad the plumber suggested them. Even though they are wonderful, I hope I don’t need their services again LOL
Elizabeth Bartels
Elizabeth Bartels
2024-06-27
Couldn't be more impressed with the fine work and exemplary customer service from Eric, David, and Martin from Camelot. They made a bad situation tolerable.
lori fluker
lori fluker
2024-06-22
David and Martin were awesome. They explained everything very well. Very respectful, professional and did an amazing job. I cant thank them enough. My basement was flooded and i was very frustrated and overwhelmed. David and Martin did such an amazing job i feel so much better! Thank you so much for everything. If you go with company please make sure that you talk about how the contractor which is a third party will have to come on the fix damages. Also, they don't tell you about additional expenses. Make sure you talk to your representative through the whole process, otherwise you find your self charged for items not discussed. It's best to get multiple quotes from other companies but when in emergency mode...
Brent J
Brent J
2024-06-21
Our experience with Camelot was outstanding. Prompt, professional, courteous and overwhelmingly competent! Highly recommended!
Andrew Olesnavich
Andrew Olesnavich
2024-06-18
David, Martin, Adam, and Markus were outstanding. Highly recommend.
John
John
2024-06-18
David, Eric and Adam with Camelot were prompt, hard-working and on time. They explained the situation well. We are thankful they were on the job site to help us.
Mary Osmar
Mary Osmar
2024-06-15
David and martin did a great job. Very polite.
Amy Wright
Amy Wright
2024-06-14
Very professional and thorough!
Delanie Otto
Delanie Otto
2024-06-12
I had the BEST experience with Camelot Emergency Water Removal. Within 15 minutes of calling someone was on their way to my house, and within 3 hours, the damage was assessed and addressed! It was a pleasure working with everyone involved. I highly recommend this company!
todd gates
todd gates
2024-06-12
Great customer service!!

Awards & Affiliations

BBB A-Rated logo
IICRC Logo
31 Years Logo
EPA Logo

24 Hour Emergency Response

The staff at Camelot Emergency Water Removal is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate response for water damage emergencies at your home or office building.

Our Service Areas

Camelot Emergency Water Removal is your time-tested local source for the best water removal, structural drying, and water damage restoration services in Kalamazoo, Lansing, and other cities throughout Southwest Michigan.
Camelot Footer Logo

Grand Rapids

4160 44th St., SE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49512

Lansing

453 Lentz Court.
Lansing, MI 48917

Kalamazoo

9958 Miller Dr,
Galesburg, MI 49053

Kalamazoo

9958 Miller Dr,
Galesburg, MI 49053

Lansing

453 Lentz Court.
Lansing, MI 48917

Grand Rapids

4160 44th St.,
SE Grand Rapids, MI, 49512

Follow Us On

© 2024 All Rights Reserved | Camelot Emergency Water Removal | Built, Developed and Powered by Youtech

Skip to content