Professional Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration in Greater Buffalo
A house fire is one of the most disruptive and damaging things that can happen to any homeowner. It’s also something few homeowners plan for, leaving them unprepared when one occurs. You must take a variety of actions to get on the path to recovery in the wake of a residential fire. Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Buffalo is the local expert in residential fire damage in Buffalo, NY, and the surrounding areas. We’re extremely knowledgeable about the subject and can handle all your restoration needs.
For help recovering from residential fire damage in Buffalo or the nearby areas, contact Paul Davis today.
Understanding Residential Fire Damage
If you’ve never experienced a house fire, you may not fully understand the damage one can leave in its wake. You may believe that only the parts of your home and belongings that come into direct contact with the flames will suffer damage. On the contrary, even a small, mostly contained housefire can leave multiple lingering effects. That can make recovery from a house fire more complex than you may expect.
- Damage assessment
- Removal of damaged property
- Demolition and water removal
- Cleanup and smoke abatement
- Reconstruction and refinishing
Safety Steps After Fires
When your home suffers a fire, your first priority is to get your family and pets to safety and call the fire department as quickly as you can. Once they extinguish the fire, however, there’s a series of actions you need to take to keep yourself safe in its aftermath.
- Do not reenter your home without permission from fire officials.
- Contact utility providers to turn off utilities.
- Document damage.
- Reach out to an emergency restoration team ASAP.
24/7 Emergency Response
We understand that fires can occur at any time. That’s why we offer 24/7 emergency response services to be there when you need us. When you contact us after a fire, we’ll dispatch a team to your home to board up damaged windows and doors. We’ll also place and secure tarps to protect vulnerable parts of your home’s roof.
Fire & Smoke Damage Types
Did you know that fire and smoke can do multiple types of damage to your home? The damage they cause largely depends on temperature, fuel type, and the extent of the fire. That impacts how the fire affects your home and its contents. It also determines the kind of smoke released and what it’ll do to your home.
- Smoke damage
- Structural damage
- Loss of furniture and belongings
- Electrical system damage
- Water damage
Assessment & Scope Development
In the wake of a residential fire, you need a thorough damage assessment by a qualified restoration company. That can ensure restoration of your home to its pre-fire state with nothing overlooked. Our expert restoration team will follow a precise checklist to assess the scope of the damage to your home.
- Inspection of structural damage
- Interior damage assessment
- Utilities inspection
- Property damage inventory
- Restoration report and cost estimate
Debris Removal & Mitigation
One of the most challenging aspects of fire restoration is removing the debris the fire left behind. It’s a process that requires a great deal of care and diligence. Fires can leave behind hazardous debris. Our experts can handle your debris removal needs safely and efficiently. That will get you on a path toward a successful home restoration.
Smoke & Soot Cleanup Methods
It’s essential to recognize that your home may suffer damage even in places the fire didn’t reach. Most of that damage comes from the smoke and soot released by the fire. Those things can contaminate surfaces in your home or even affect your belongings. Our experts may employ a variety of methods to clean up smoke and soot after a fire.
- Dry-cleaning soot erasers
- Chemical degreasers
- HEPA-filtered vacuums
- Fabric laundering
Odor Removal & Air Quality
Even a minor house fire can leave lingering odors and contaminate your home’s air. To address those issues, we use multiple methods depending on the nature of your fire. For example, we may use disinfectants and deodorizing chemicals on surfaces affected by smoke or soot. We may also use air scrubbers to remove aerosolized chemicals and contaminants from your home’s air.
- Enzymatic cleaners
- Absorption and adsorption agents
- Pairing agents
- Ozone generators
Contents Cleaning
A fire in your home may damage your belongings, but leave them salvageable. We offer comprehensive contents cleaning services to help with that. We’ll carefully catalog and remove your belongings to a secure location. While there, we’ll carefully clean and restore anything we can salvage.
Structural Drying After Suppression
It’s easy to forget that the very process of bringing your house fire under control can leave water damage in its wake. Specifically, it can leave your home’s walls and floors inundated with water. The moisture can even necessitate mold remediation without prompt action. We can handle the drying of your home and its contents after a fire.
- Blowers
- Desiccants
- Dehumidifiers
- Specialized pumps
Repairs, Reconstruction & Permits
You can’t simply rebuild your home after a fire. You need to understand how to secure the correct permits and have a skilled team capable of executing your restoration plan. We can handle the entire process for you from beginning to end. Our experts know the permitting process inside and out, and we have a multidisciplinary team to facilitate repairs.
- Reduces permitting delays
- Ensures complete legal compliance
- Simplifies the insurance reimbursement process
- Gets you back into your home faster
Insurance Claims Coordination Basics
If you’re like most homeowners, you have an insurance policy that covers your home in case of fire damage. However, the claims process can be confusing. We can help you navigate the insurance process by providing documentation and support.
- Photographic and video evidence of damage
- A copy of the fire report
- A complete property inventory
- Detailed restoration estimates
Restore Your Home Safely
Dealing with residential fire damage in Buffalo isn’t pleasant. However, our team at Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Buffalo knows what you’re going through and stands ready to help. We have over 55 years of restoration experience, so we understand the process completely. Our team is fully certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration. We’ll do what it takes to restore your home and help you recover from your fire.
If you’re dealing with residential fire damage in Buffalo or the surrounding areas, contact our team at Paul Davis for immediate help.
Frequently Asked Questions
With decades of local experience, no one understands residential fire restoration better than we do. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions on the topic.
What should I do first after a residential fire?
After a house fire, evacuate your family and pets to a safe location. Afterward, call us so we can dispatch a response team immediately.
How long does fire damage restoration usually take?
Your restoration timeline depends on the extent of the damage done to your home. A full restoration can take anywhere from two weeks to a full year. After inspecting the damage, one of our experts can give you an exact timing estimate.
Can smoke-damaged belongings be cleaned and saved?
Yes, we can often salvage smoke-damaged belongings, depending on the extent of the damage. Our team will go over your options with you after taking an inventory of your belongings.
Do you work with my homeowners insurance?
Our experts can help you navigate any insurer’s claims process. We can work directly with most insurers. Or we can support you through the claims process if you’re handling it yourself.
