Chicago Fires have Degrees of Damage

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

Inspection and Planning by SERVPRO Can Mitigate Fire Damage

Every fire is different, depending on how fast the fire burns, property consumed, and many other factors. Once extinguished, we determine damage according to three levels: minor, medium, and major.

Each type of fire damage in Chicago homes requires special services. To restore homes to their preloss condition, SERVPRO provides an extensive group of services. Depending on the kind of destruction and to what degree, we develop a restoration plan from these categories.

Mitigation – This first service is to secure the home and prevent more destruction; boarding up windows and doors for example. In one case where there was primarily smoke and soot residue, a homeowner waited overnight to call us. By the time one of our work crews arrived, a raccoon had entered through a broken window in the kitchen and caused several thousand dollars in damage throughout the house. The owner also had to pay another company to trap and remove the raccoon.

Structural Cleaning – If the smoke penetrated through walls and into the crawlspaces, then the beams and framing in a home need cleaning as well. In cases where a company simply replaces drywall and ceiling tiles, smoke odors do return. We wipe down metal and wood frames by hand or use a fogger in places where we cannot physically enter.

Contents Cleaning – Personal property absorbs smoke residue quickly, but can often be cleaned on-site. It may not be possible if the structure is determined to be unsafe or we cannot secure it. If necessary, our technicians pack up property and bring it back to our facility for cleaning and storage until we complete work.

Specialty Restoration – This category covers dry cleaning, refinishing furniture and cleaning electronics and artwork. In one case, a client spent their budget to replace the roof and to contract out the restoration of a 1950s era, reel-to-reel, tape recording, sound system.

Reconstruction – In cases of major damage, structural components (beams, columns, and load bearing walls) become compromised. When this occurs, our technicians place temporary, additional support structures to remove the damaged pieces. If there is too much damage, we may need to subcontract the labor or have the client hire a general contractor.

Restoring a home after a fire can be a long and expensive process. The only way to make it work is to carefully inspect, determine services needed and use one of the most experienced companies in Cook County. SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City is here to help, so call us today at (773) 337-3900 to get started.

Chicago Area info click here.