Chances are that when you need to repair fire damage you also have a number of other major problems you're dealing with at the same time. Even a very small fire can cause major damage to your home when you consider what smoke can do in concert with the flame itself. Due to the many problems associated with getting fire damage repaired, it's smart to approach this with a calm head and a straightforward mentality. You want to be sure that you're going about this process in a systematic way that actually enhances the safety of your home instead of just white-washing over the damage.
Fire Damage Repair Pros
Major Concerns with Fire Damage Repair
The first concern with this type of work is that you may have a structural issue in your home after a fire. Fire can significantly weaken the strength of supports around your home and load-bearing walls can sometimes become compromised. If these walls are compromised beyond a certain point, they may need to be repaired or completely replaced. This is really the first thing that you should look into when you start this process. Leaving these structural integrity issues to the last minute can put you in great danger and the risk is simply not worth it.
The next concern is going to be what damage the fire has done to the electrical components within your walls and ceiling. Fire can weaken the protective coating of major home wiring. If this is not tended to, then it can create another fire hazard in your home. After dealing with one fire, it would be a shame to neglect other fire hazards like weak wire insulation as you fix the damage. If anything, you should be going out of your way to ensure all of these components are working in perfect order. There will be few better opportunities to tear down a wall to ensure the wiring is all in good shape.
Finally, a major concern is that smoke damage can cause permanent and widespread problems throughout the home. Smoke can permeate the walls and ceiling to the point where the smell of smoke pervades everything. This can make a home almost unlivable if the smoke damage is severe enough. There are a lot of things that can be done to mitigate smoke damage. The ease with which you can get rid of smoke damage depends entirely on whether you're willing to work with a contractor on the issue.
Working with Contractors on Fire Damage Repair
It is safe to say that the best way to fix fire damage is to work with a qualified contractor who understands how to best approach your project. Due to the extreme level of structural damage that can be caused by fire in your home, it's not recommended to take any chances on your repair work. Doing DIY repairs may work for some small scale problems, but there are some things that are simply dangerous to take on yourself without the proper tools and training.
Fire damage repair contractors will be able to help you determine what areas of your home require the most work. Since a contractor will have an intimate understanding of local building codes, he or she will already know any necessary legal requirements for keeping your home up to code. This is a very important thing to consider for many reasons but especially if you ever plan on selling your home. By law, you're required to keep your home current with all building regulations and zoning codes. Anyone who could buy your home in the future will definitely hire an appraiser who will undoubtedly not recommend your home.
A fire damage repair contractor will also know where to look for major problems that you may not have even thought of. This is because their professional experience has shown them where to look and what to look for. Contractors know where to look for fire hazards, structural issues and any other problems caused by the fire. They will also be armed with the information necessary to fix these problems in the most cost-effective way. For many issues, you may not even be legally allowed to do the work yourself. For example, most jurisdictions require that all residential wiring repairs be completed by a state-certified contractor.
Fixing fire damage can be a very costly adventure if you do not know what you're doing. Working with a contractor to help you through fire damage repairs is a smart and cost-effective way to bring your home back to normal. The only thing that matters here is that your home is made safe and livable so you can move on with your life. When you sort these issues out with a qualified contractor, the problem becomes much easier to find a solution for.