fire damage repair

Fire Damage Cleanup in Greater Pittsburgh | A Guide to Dealing with Fire Damage

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Whether a small or big fire, a fire accident can be overwhelming to maneuver, not forgetting the loss you may have incurred.  The first thing you should do is bring your restoration company on board to help with the cleanup. ServiceMaster provides fire damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburgh so that you can reach out to us in the event of a fire.

Dealing with House Fire Damage

Safety is paramount in the event of a fire. Once you ascertain that everyone is safe, call 911 and report the incident. If there are casualties, organize for them to receive immediate medical care at the nearest medical center. Remember to call your loved ones and tell them about the incident, then find somewhere to stay.

Look for a fire professional to initiate the cleanup. If you are in Greater Pittsburgh, ServiceMaster can come on board and help you deal with the situation. We will ensure your home is cleaned thoroughly and restored, resuming operations as soon as possible.  

Take Care of Your Valuables

You may need to take measures that ensure the safety of your valuables while you are away. A fire scene can be chaotic; unfortunately, you might lose essential items from theft. If you can, pack important documents with you, pack them up in your emergency kit, and evacuate the area until the cleanup has been done successfully.

Clean Up

Cleaning up your property after a fire can be challenging. Doing it yourself not only poses a safety hazard but can result in further destruction of property. Consider getting professionals for cleanup to ensure adequate cleanup while preserving your valuables.

At ServiceMaster, we provide fire damage cleanup in Greater Pittsburgh and the environs. Our team is equipped with the right tools and equipment to ensure adequate cleanup and restoration of your home after a fire accident.

Fire Damage Cleanup | Can You DIY Fire Damage Cleanup?

Posted on by Matt Nelson

Many homeowners love the chance to jump into a DIY project; however, there are some projects that really should be left to the professionals. Fire damage cleanup is one of those projects. The aftermath of fire takes days and sometimes even weeks to complete and much of the restoration takes professional knowledge that only carpenters, construction workers, or engineers are trained in.

Many homeowners do not realize how big of a project fire damage cleanup can be. Here are the elements that make up the process:

  • Checking for and sealing structural breaches
  • Water removal
  • Soot removal
  • Repairing walls, ceiling, floors, and foundation
  • Furniture restoration
  • Deodorizing

The longest processes to complete are water and soot removal and repairing the structural elements of the home. These repairs can take weeks to complete depending on the extent of fire damage. These processes are all incredibly detailed and have their own best practices to make sure a complete restoration takes place. There are specific cleaning solutions and tools needed for water and soot removal and while those processes can sometimes be easy to DIY, others are not. Repairing the structural elements of your home such as beams, posts, and framework, replacing the roof or flooring, or needing to fix cracks in the foundation should always be handled by professional contractors and companies that are trained in fire damage cleanup.

Cost of Fire Damage Cleanup

Returning your home to its pre-fire condition will always be costly. There is no way around the cost of renovations and remodeling, repairing structural elements, mold mitigation, and water removal. However, homeowners or renter’s insurance should cover a lot of these expenses. Make sure when you are working with a company that does fire damage restoration, the company is approved to receive payments and reimbursement from your insurance company.

If you have recently suffered from a fire disaster in your home and need help with the cleanup and restoration, call ServiceMaster of Pittsburgh at 412-376-4645.