When a fire damage event occurs, many homeowners want to jump in right away to begin the cleanup and restoration process. Although it is great to have this ambition and even greater to act fast, it is also important not to rush into it headfirst without knowing the ins and outs of fire damage restoration. Homeowners could endanger their health or make matters much worse. At MA Restoration, we believe in the importance of being prepared when fire damage disasters strike. That is why we have listed some common mistakes homeowners make when attempting “do-it-yourself” fire damage cleanup and repair.
Throwing Away Damaged Personal Property
After the fire is out and a homeowner looks around at the destruction, they may have the impulse to throw anything away that was touched by the fire or by the smoke and soot that was left behind. However, they would be surprised that some of these items that look damaged beyond repair can be restored by professional restoration companies. They could be throwing out thousands of dollars’ worth of salvageable property!
Failing to Pay Attention to Detail
The details of the things a homeowner sees in the aftermath of a fire could make all the difference. Failing to notice that the structure of the room they entered is compromised could have inadvertent effects on their wellbeing. Stepping into an area of their home that has standing water from the firefighting efforts can also put their wellbeing at risk. Did they turn off the power to the house? Has the water come in contact with any electricity? There are so many small things that certified technicians keep an eye out for before entering an area that a homeowner may overlook.
Failing to Document the Damage
One of the biggest reasons a homeowner should not tackle fire damage cleanup on their own is the fact that it makes filing an insurance claim that much harder. Most homeowners don’t know the proper procedures and precautions that need to be taken to make sure the damage is covered by their insurance. There are several things that can go wrong; failing to document the damage, overspending on materials for repairs, failing to test for any hidden damage, failing to file a claim in a timely manner…the list goes on and on. Professional fire damage restoration companies in Worcester have built relationships with most insurance agencies. They learn to speak their language and know exactly what needs to be done to ensure that the insurance claim goes as smoothly as possible.
Not Involving a Certified Restoration Company
We may have hinted at the importance of contacting a professional restoration company throughout this article and there are several reasons why. The restoration and repair work on a home after a fire is not a simple process. For a homeowner to do it right, they would need the proper equipment and detection tools, years of training and experience, as well as the manpower necessary to get the job done in a timely manner.