Can Belongings Be Restored After House Fires?

7/24/2021 (Permalink)

After a fire is extinguished and the occupants are safety, quickly assessing damage is important. There are two types of damage that restoration technicians document when arriving on site. One is structural loss, which is damage to the walls, flooring, roofing, or foundation of the home. The other is contents loss, which is damage to personal items inside of the home such as furniture, artwork, appliances, and electronics.

The SERVPRO of West Palm Beach approach is to restore rather than replace because we understand the original item holds a unique value. If you have recently experienced a fire, call our SERVPRO office at 567-795-5410.

When arriving at the scene of a home or business after a fire, the SERVPRO technicians begin by completing a Contents Claim Inventory. This service provides a detailed and accurate list of all belongings. This inventory includes photos and an accurate report that can make the insurance claims process quicker.

While some personal property insurance coverage can include replacement for the contents of a home, they typically include cost limitations.  The payment for replacing contents can be capped and potentially may not cover the entirety of the home’s damages. These policies tend to also include a storage coverage limitation if belongings need to be moved and stored while home restoration is underway. SERVPRO of West Palm Beach offers pack out and storage services that protect items and allow for a quicker reconstruction process.

You can save money and sentimental belongings with the contents restoration services our team offers. Our methods protect belongings from being further damaged. Electronics can be restored through a careful process of qualified electronics technicians removing smoke residues. Document drying can be achieved through air drying, dehumidification, freezer drying, and vacuum freeze or thermal drying.

A few of the methods we use to clean contents include:

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that cannot withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet-cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

For more information on fire services and to find fire damage tips, visit the fire damage section of our website.