FAQ

Our Frequently Asked Questions

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  • What Are My Next Steps After a Fire?
    1. Check on everyone's safety: Make sure that all people and pets are accounted for and receive immediate medical attention if needed.
    2. Call emergency services: Dial 911 to report the fire and request any necessary assistance.
    3. Do not re-enter the building: Stay outside until fire officials declare the area safe to re-enter.
    4. Contact your insurance company: Inform your insurance provider about the fire and begin the claims process.
    5. Reach out to a fire restoration company: Contact a professional restoration service to assess the damage and start the cleanup and repair process.
    6. Document the damage: Take pictures and videos of the fire damage, including the exterior and interior of the property.
    7. Save important documents: Gather any vital documents that may have survived the fire, like identification, insurance papers, and important contact information.
    8. Secure temporary housing: If your home is uninhabitable, arrange temporary accommodation with friends, family, or a hotel.
    9. Contact the Red Cross: If needed, reach out to the American Red Cross for assistance with temporary housing, food, and clothing.
  • Should I Opt-in for Cleanup and Debris Removal?

    Key steps in post-fire cleanup:

    Professional expertise: For significant fire damage, hiring a certified restoration company is crucial to ensure proper cleanup and prevent further damage.

    Initial assessment: A professional will evaluate the damage, identify areas needing attention, and determine the best cleaning debris removal methods.

    Debris removal: Items that cannot be salvaged are carefully removed and disposed of.

    Surface cleaning: Use specialized cleaning solutions and techniques to clean soot and smoke residue from walls, ceilings, floors, appliances, and other surfaces.

    Deep cleaning: For heavily contaminated items like carpets, upholstery, and HVAC systems, professional cleaning or replacement may be necessary.

    Odor removal: Includes air filtration to remove smoke particles from the air, ozone treatment to neutralize smoke odors and fogging to distribute odor-neutralizing chemicals.

    Structural repairs: Depending on the fire damage, repairs may include replacing damaged drywall, flooring, electrical wiring, plumbing, and structural components.

    Insurance claims: Document all damage thoroughly and contact your insurance company to file a claim for coverage.

  • Do I Have Enough Coverage?

    Insurance coverage varies by company and policy, so you should read your policy carefully. You can also call your insurance agent or company if you have questions.

    As an example, typical homeowner policies have the following:

    Dwelling coverage: Should be at least enough to rebuild your home from scratch.

    Personal property coverage: Usually 50–70% of your dwelling coverage.

    Liability coverage: Liability insurance is a standard part of a homeowners insurance policy that protects you from financial losses if you or a family member are found responsible for causing injury or damage to others and should be at least the total value of your assets, such as your property, bank accounts, and investments.

    Additional living expense coverage: Usually 20% of your dwelling coverage and pays for temporary living costs after a covered disaster.

  • How Do Contractors Get Paid?

    When a homeowner files a fire claim with their insurance company, contractors typically get paid directly by the insurance company, often after the homeowner signs a "direction to pay" form allowing the insurer to pay the contractor directly.

  • Why Should I Choose Water and Fire Restoration Team to Help Me Recover?
    At the Water and Fire Restoration Team, we have earned a reputation for delivering exceptional customer service. We provide full cleanup and mitigation of any property loss you might experience. As a local family-owned company, we promise to deliver the absolute best customer service to every client whether the loss has occurred in a home or large commercial property.