In the fall, the Tran family from Bensalem had their lives uprooted after a house fire. The fire occurred in the kitchen as a result of an unattended appliance, which soon spread to their living room and up to the second floor of their home. When first responders arrived, the damage was already done, and thick smoke residue clung to the household.
The Tran family had three children and elderly parents to care for, and they were very overwhelmed. They needed to get assistance and fast. That’s when they contacted Puro-tec Property Restoration, a leader in fire and smoke restoration in Bensalem. The restoration team arrived the same day and commenced all of the emergent board-up, structural assessment, cleanup, etc. With an organized recovery plan and a dedicated team of restoration and recovery professionals, the Tran family safely walked back into their completely reconstructed home a few months later.
This blog outlines the main steps of fire recovery so you will know how to research options and make informed decisions if the need arises.
Step-by-Step Process For Fire Damage Restoration
When you have fire damage in Bensalem, the sooner you find help, the better! Don’t wait a few days or even a few hours, call trusted local professionals who can provide fire damage restoration near me, and start the right way, down a long road of recovery.
Priority One, Safety and Security of Your Property
Safety will always be your first concern after any residual fire has been put out. If the fire team has given the all-clear, then do not reenter the home until informed by professionals assessing the property for future occupancy. The floors may collapse, there may be exposed electrical wires, and the smoke could pose serious, catastrophic health risks.
A professional restoration company that handles fire damage restoration Bensalem services may provide emergency board-up and tarp services to reduce any further damage from the elements or trespassers. This will also protect your property while allowing for insurance inspection and compliance with all safety regulations.
Notify Important People, Such as Your Insurance Company
As soon as you can, reach out to your homeowners’ insurance company to make them aware of the fire property damage and begin the claims process. Provide them with a general description of the fire, when it occurred, and a preliminary inventory of damaged items. Eventually, you and your restoration company will be able to present photo evidence of all damage, along with written documentation detailing a scope of loss that you can share with the insurance company adjusters.
Some homeowners’ insurance policies will pay for temporary housing, clothes, meals, and cleaning. The sooner you contact the insurer, the sooner your process begins. If the insurer is delayed in payment approval, your restoration process will likewise be delayed.
Get a Professional Damage Assessment
Every fire will have some form of fire damage, smoke damage, soot damage, and water damage, which means all damage has to be fully assessed before any cleanup and/or reconstruction can take place. A team of professionally trained and experienced restoration services in Bensalem will assess the following items:
- Damage to the structure from fire, including walls, floors, and roof
- Evidence of smoke damage and soot residue
- Water-damaged areas of the home from firefighting measures
- Odor and infiltration from soft furniture and HVAC to other living spaces
Once the damage assessment is complete, the restoration services team will provide a detailed recovery plan focused on your property and you.
Removal of Debris and Damaged Materials
All burned or hazardous materials (e.g., drywall, flooring, insulation, furniture) have to be removed. This is the initial stage of cleanup, and it creates a safe area for restoration. Special teams wear full PPE and use HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers to control contaminants.
This step was emotionally hard for the Tran family because they lost many sentimental belongings. Your restoration team should also be kind and supportive while saving and restoring as many items as they can.
Smoke and Soot Cleanup
Smoke and soot that are not addressed lead to long-term health impacts and continued damage if not treated properly. A dependable smoke damage restoration company in Bensalem will:
- Use industrial-strength deodorizers and thermal fogging
- Clean and neutralize HVAC systems
- Deep-clean carpets, upholstery, walls, and ceilings
- Utilize ozone or hydroxyl generators to clean the air
Soot is corrosive on electronic devices, metallic accessories, and personal mementos, which is why early and appropriate intervention is paramount.
Water Extraction and Drying
Often overlooked, water damage is a major element of fire recovery, which comes from either firefighter hoses or sprinkler systems. Any standing water must be removed immediately to prevent mold and/or structural damage.
The fire damage repair experts in Bensalem will:
- Implement commercial water extraction equipment
- Utilize dehumidifiers and fans
- Monitor moisture levels using thermal imaging technology
- Sanitize impacted materials to impede microbial growth
This activity usually takes place concurrently or closely with the smoke cleanup to expedite recovery.
Repair & Rebuild
At the end of this process, the structure has become dry and clean before being called to repair. Whether it is replacing drywall and flooring, rewiring electricity, or building back entire rooms, you will want licensed and insured professionals.
Depending on the extent of the damage, this phase can take several weeks, maybe months. Restoration professionals performing fire damage restoration service in Bensalem can handle the project from beginning to end as a general contractor, so you don’t have to hire and coordinate multiple vendors.
Final Inspection and Move-In
After repairs are completed, your contractor will walk through the house with you to make sure everything is to code and as you expect. The final inspection may include air quality tests, structural inspections, and an overview of insurance paperwork.
This final step is an emotional one for families like the Trans, the reclaiming of their home and the strength to make it safer and better going forward.
Why Professional Assistance Is Mandatory
You may think you should be able to clean things up or do minor repairs, but fire restoration is complicated and could also be dangerous. Choosing professionals for Disaster Restoration in Bensalem will give you:
- Adherence to local codes as defined by your government
- Proper photo documentation for your insurance
- Health and safety for your family
- Faster, more thorough recovery
- Ability to control costs through bundled services
With 24/7 emergency response, qualified professionals (like Puro-tec) can eliminate stress and provide you with the peace of mind you need to avoid making costly mistakes.
Conclusion- Rely On Experts To Restore Your Property With Professionalism
Recovering from a house fire may feel overwhelming to you as a homeowner; however, taking it step-by-step with the right team in place is everything. From the moment the flames are out to the day you take one last walk through your restored home, every phase is significant for the safety and comfort of your family.
A trusted partner like Bensalem fire damage restoration brings not just experience and tools, but also compassion and clarity.
Puro-tec Property Restoration is the trusted leader for fire damage restoration Bensalem homeowners rely on. We handle everything from board-up to debris removal, smoke deodorization, and full reconstruction. We will manage your complete recovery with quality and care.
Our Bensalem community can rely on our integrity, technology, and personal touch when working with our team of restoration specialists. If you’re looking for help with fire damage restoration in Bensalem, feel free to contact us. We can get you back on your feet stronger than before!
