When a fire occurs, there are steps that you can take to help preserve what is salvageable. We often hear the phrase “it was a complete loss” when referring to fire damage. A complete loss refers to the cost of clean-up and restoration not being worth the amount of repair needed. However, some items may sustain only minor fire damage and can be restored for less cost. The best way to find out if your belongings are salvageable is to contact a professional restoration company like Friendly Hills Restoration. With their extensive knowledge and experience working with fire damaged homes, they can help you identify what is and isn’t salvagable, and how to restore what is.
What is salvageable after a fire?
Depending on the size and intensity of the fire, there are several items that are salvageable. Items such as fabrics and furniture cushions are the most common things that can be restored. In fact, it may be easy to overlook the potential cost of these items by comparing them to the huge investment it takes to rebuild a burnt home. Even so, the cost of suddenly having to replace these items can add up quickly. Here are some common items that are considered salvageable:
- Stained fabrics: Carpets, curtains, drapes, bedding and floor pads
- Fabric covered furniture: upholstered furniture
- Leather or vinyl upholstery: leather couches and chairs, car seats, even flooring
- Non-washable fabrics or materials: draperies, area rugs and other non-washable fabrics
- Wooden items: wood cabinets, tables, chairs
- Non-electrical appliances: fans, stoves and other appliances that don’t need electricity to work
Items that may not be salvageable
While painting over stains is a common way to repair damaged fabrics, there are instances where it’s simply not possible for restoration company professionals. For instance, if the fabric has been exposed to heat or smoke for more than 24 hours, it could be destroyed due to this exposure. If this is the case, you may have to rely on your homeowners insurance policy or other types of coverage to supply coverage for the replacement value of the damaged items – not their original purchase value.
Even if your home only receives minor fire damage, you should contact a professional restoration company like FP Property Restoration right away. At Friendly Hills Restoration we use advanced technology, careful and expert restoration techniques, as well as experienced and highly trained technicians who have specialized in restoring homes and businesses following fire damage. We use this knowledge and expertise to make sure that whatever damages you have sustained can be restored quickly while still preserving the integrity of your belongings.
Call Friendly Hills Restoration today at (248) 951-9073
Considerations For Salvage After A Fire
Just because you have had a fire in your home doesn’t mean all your possessions are destroyed. Though certain things can’t be saved even with professional help—for instance when it comes to carpets—in most cases you will be able to restore your damaged belongings. The faster you begin this process, the better budget you will be able to keep for your repair costs. However, these decisions should never be made lightly. Even if something seems fine at first glance, it could easily become unsalvageable if left unattended for even a short period of time after damage occurs. For example, vases which contained flowers could contain water which has now turned into mold or mildew which could cause damage if not dealt with immediately after the flowers have died. Another example would be clothing which contained ink from artwork or print that has been on the clothing for any length of time; ink could bleed into other areas on the clothing causing permanent damage. Of course, some things such as electronics cannot be salvaged no matter how attentive you are during cleanup time; they will either have suffered too much water damage or electrical damages which may render them unsalvageable no matter what steps you take in an effort to repair them. Here is a list of the most common assets that fall into this category:
- Electronics: This includes but isn’t limited to TVs, computers and cell phones; unless they were turned off when damage occurred (unlikely) they will probably no longer work .
- Clothing: Clothing that has gotten wet even for only a short period of time (especially if it was in a washing machine), may require more than just drying out; you may need to replace certain items due to bleeding colors from one item onto another article of clothing .
- Carpets: This will depend on how much water was involved; the more water present the less likely that it will be possible for professionals to repair fully .
- Hardwood floors: This depends upon how much water was present on them at the time damage occurred; often this type of flooring can withstand mild instances of flood damage but any major flooding could result in needing replacement; if it hasn’t been cleaned up within 24 hours chances are good that it will continue to get worse rather than better .
- Draperies: If allowed to stay wet for any length of time money like coverings across windows may end up being unsalvageable requiring replacement ; dry cleaning them as quickly as possible may provide some relief but is by no means guaranteed .
The best way to know what should and shouldn’t be salvaged after a fire is by contacting Friendly Hills Restoration right away; we are available 24/7 and will provide an estimate as soon as possible so that you know where you stand in regards to getting back on your feet in as little time as possible while maintaining as much financial stability as possible. With our services you will have peace of mind knowing that your home or business has been returned to its original condition in terms of cleanliness and functionality while maintaining your financial situation! Call Friendly Hills Restoration today at (248) 951-9073