Fire Damage
UNDERSTANDING FIRE & SMOKE DAMAGE
During a fire, smoke is driven by heat created by flames. No matter where the fire originates, smoke may penetrate throughout a building structure. Smoke also combines with humidity and can form corrosive residues that may cause secondary damage. Long after the fire is put out, the damage can continue as remaining free-floating smoke settles on horizontal surfaces and contents.
Fire does burn, but residual smoke may burn as well. This is sometimes called etching, pitting or chemical burning. Quick response and action are critical. The more time that elapses before treatment, the greater the damage.
ServiceMaster Restore is a high reputable, licensed, insured and endorsed provider of fire and smoke restoration services. In addition to our years of experience, our uniformed Restoration Technicians have completed advanced training in fire mitigation, restoration systems and corrosion control. We also require continuing education to learn about new techniques and equipment to better serve you in your time of need. It is our goal to restore your property as quickly and efficiently as possible. Depending on the source, nature and size of the fire, the cleaning and restoration may require several phases before completion.
We work to restore all property to a pre-loss condition when possible. Some items cannot be restored. Others could cost more to restore than they are actually worth. We will advise you and your insurance claim representative, and explain the limits of what we as professional restorers can do. We identify the type of fire and smoke problem and the scope of the damage. The assessment includes a thorough visual inspection with photo documentation to determine the extent of the damage, enabling us to form the most effective plan for returning your property to pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. To ensure proper claims investigation, the area where the fire started must be secured and undisturbed until release for cleaning by your insurance representative.
If you have experienced fire damage in Wichita, call ServiceMaster Quality Cleaning now.
Faqs
- Cash
- Checkbooks
- Flammables
- Gasoline Cans
- Medications
- Personal Documents
- Pets
- Stamp/Coin Collections
- Valuable Jewelry
- Valuable Paintings
- Weapons/Ammunition
We recommend you make a list of items (including food items) deemed non-restorable. Use a format like the sample below, or obtain a similar form from your insurance company. Make a copy for your insurance company and keep one for yourself.
This is ultimately your decision. Some things you may want to consider are safety concerns, odors, electricity, noise from equipment, etc. If vacating your premises for any length of time consider the following: forward your mail to your temporary residence; stop newspaper and other deliveries; notify utility company, Cable Company, etc. of temporary suspension of services.
There are some items that may require general contractors such as drywall/painting; electrical; plumbing; roofing; framing/finish carpentry; flooring/carpet; installation of doors, windows, cabinets, post-construction cleanup, etc.
Depending on the source, nature and extent of the fire it may be best to remove all belongings to a secure facility for cleaning, storage and to make for restoration or construction. ServiceMaster Restore will work with you and your insurance claims representative to manage this process.
