Fire Damage Restoration FAQ by DKI Services
DKI provides professional fire damage restoration services for residential and commercial properties. After a fire, there are many things to consider during your restoration process. We have put together a list of frequently asked questions to help you get a start back to normal. For all your fire damage restoration needs, give us a call.
Is smoke residue dangerous to my health?
Yes, smoke residue is harmful to one’s health and can be toxic. Since smoke contains tar, carbon, and other heavy metals and toxins, smoke residue can cause health issues, such as breathing complications, lungs and sinus issues and skin irritations. Also, any carbon monoxide left behind from the fire can prevent oxygen from reaching the heart, brain and other vital organs. Fires aren’t always confined to one room, as the smoke can easily travel to other rooms of your property. As it attaches itself to curtains, beds, carpets, and other soft surfaces, it leaves unspent fuel residue, making it easier to catch fire in the future. It’s imperative to hire a professional to thoroughly clean your property of smoke residue.
What should I do after fire or smoke damage?
The first and most important step is to relocate your family or building occupants temporarily to a safe location. Fire damage can cause more than property damage and foul odors. It can render your home structurally unstable, and cause health concerns from the smoke residue. Next, you should file an insurance claim, and call a reputable fire damage restoration company, like DKI for immediate services.
What is fire damage restoration?
While on your property, we’ll conduct a full assessment of the damage. We will then adapt our cleaning and restoration depending on the amount of damage, how many rooms it affected, and other aspects of your property, such as wiring, windows, HVAC system, plumbing, and more. Each project is unique. After our initial assessment, we’ll be able to give you a better summary of the job.
Who else do I need to contact besides DKI?
When you hire DKI to conduct your fire damage restoration, we handle everything from the assessment to the repairs.
Do I need to vacate the area during the restoration?
While it may be a hassle to relocate your family during our restoration services, we highly recommend it. Fire-damaged homes and buildings are at high-risk for additional dangerous damage, such as flooding, mold and health concerns. We’ll discuss your best options for this during our initial consultation.
Can I repair the fire and smoke damage myself?
Because of the nature of the damage and the potential risk of further hazardous outcomes, fire damage restoration is not a DIY project. We use professional tools and techniques to clean your property to remove smoke residue and damage.
What should I do with my ruined and burnt items?
First, it’s a good idea to have an itemized list of your belongings for insurance purposes. Throughout DKI’s restoration process, we will do our best to save and salvage your materials and household items. Please leave this inventory to the professionals, as some items may not appear salvageable but can be renewed with our state-of-the-art equipment.
How long will it take for the smell of smoke to go away?
There are many variables associated with fire and smoke restoration. Our certified professionals will develop a comprehensive plan for your situation that will include the elimination of the source, cleaning the affected areas and applying the appropriate deodorizer to eliminate the odor-causing molecules.