Personal Property after a Fire Damage

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

Restoring Contents after Fire Damage

Have you ever wondered what happens to your personal property after a fire damage? Well, the answer is quite complex. Like all things, it can vary depending on the degree of damage. In addition to this, the material and value of the item will determine how or if it would be better to be restored or replaced. 

1. Establish Safety: The first step in restoring contents after a fire damage is actually not related to the contents at all. It is establishing that the structural integrity of the home is secure so that the property can be accessed. The second part of establishing safety will pertain to contents. Once it has been confirmed that home is secure, it is important to remove all items such as medication, weapons, or items of immense value like jewelry since theft is more likely to occur following a fire or flood than at any other time.

2. Evaluate Contents:  Once safety is established, it is important to evaluate the degree of damage of both the structure and the contents, and determine if it would be more efficient to move the contents offsite or secure all items onsite. Often times, it ends up being a combination of both. Textiles and soft fabrics are often moved offsite quickly to begin the cleaning process whereas hard furniture can often be cleaned and stored on site if the structural repairs do not require it being moved as well. 

3. Inventory Non-Salvageable Items: The third step is to inventory non-salvageable items with photo documentation. This will assist the owner in receiving reimbursement for items that cannot be restored. This is also the time to determine if an item's inherent value combined with its level of damage dictates whether or not it should be replaced rather than restored.

4. Clean and Deodorize Content: The fourth step is to clean and deodorize the contents. Contents are test cleaned to ensure that the correct product is used. The restoration process varies greatly depending on the type of material and degree of damage. 

5. Pack, Store, and Return Contents: Most often contents are moved offsite if the structural repairs are too difficult to complete with the presence of the content in the home or building. Other times, it is because the type of cleaning required may require off-site specialty tools or equipment. If the contents must be moved offsite, the contents are packed into new boxes following cleaning, stored, and returned once the repairs are completed.

Call SERVPRO of Baldwin County

As you can see, restoration following a fire damage has many steps and restoring a property and personal property to preloss condition is for restoration professionals. The team at SERVPRO of Baldwin County are certified by the IICRC, the gold standard in the cleaning and restoration industry. By trusting SERVPRO of Baldwin County following your fire damage, you can rest assured that your home or business will be treated with care, professionalism, and the most up to date techniques. We hope you enjoyed this basic overview of restoring contents following a fire damage.