With little or no advance warning, fire and flood damage can turn your world upside down in a matter of hours. Your first, immediate reactions … ‘What should I do, who should I call, how do I put our home, or my business back together again?’
“Choosing the right company might seem overwhelming but it isn’t,” says Stephanie Rosenstone, Chief of Staff at Paul Davis Restoration, Inc. “Fortunately, highly specialized companies (no, not a trusted handyman, local building contractor, or friend of a friend) bring highly skilled, experienced professionals to perform reliable mitigation and restoration work. I can’t say enough good about the industry Paul Davis Restoration participates in. It’s always in your best interest to first seek a well-known, highly experienced company. Their expert technicians know how best to halt further damages, reduce the severity and seriousness of the current damage and restore many damaged items to their original, just-like-new state. Paul Davis Restoration is just such a company.”
Fire and smoke, water intrusion, or property that has suffered due to high winds and serious storms poses unique challenges. Some are obvious. Others are not. “Taking the correct actions right away makes all the difference in the world,” says Rosenstone. “If it’s water, after ensuring the structure is safe, extracting the water would be a first step. Unseen water penetrations, and lingering moisture, not properly located and not thoroughly removed, can lead to years of additional damage and mounting expense. If it’s fire and smoke, soot and toxins left behind may cause lingering odors and cause potential health complications.”
Take note of these simple answers to your most serious questions following fire or flood damage to your home or business.
What should I do? Go online and search for IICRC restoration companies. IICRC-certified restoration companies are professional firms verified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, specializing in water, fire, mold, and disaster restoration.
Who should I call? Call one or more restoration companies – preferably only national or regional IICRC certified companies. Speak with someone there who promises to have a field technician call you as soon as possible. If you don’t hear back from them within a few hours, cross them off your list. Rapid response is one of the most important services that good restoration companies provide. IICRC firms must adhere to ANSI (American National Standards Institute) high quality standards with their technicians rigorously trained in water, fire and mold restoration. These firms are preferred by insurance companies for faster, credible claims.
How do I put our home, or my business back together again? If you believe the damages are extensive, consulting your insurance carrier or agent may be a step in the correct direction.
Rosenstone suggests another important caution involving fire or water property damage. “Don’t take the do-it-yourself route. Serious water or fire damage, left to the inexperienced, can multiply your problems and often poses serious safety threats to you or others who may be well-meaning but are untrained. Be safe, be smart, seek professional help.”
You can verify the credentials of any restoration company using the IICRC Global Locator.
