Fires are frustrating or even devastating. Even a small fire can cause major damage. From fire cleanup to repairs, we explain the seven steps of rebuilding a house after a fire.
The Steps to Rebuilding a House After a Fire
1. Call Your Insurance
It’s important to call your insurance as soon as possible after a fire. Since fire damage is normally covered by home insurance, you should start the claims process right away. Not only does waiting increase the risk of more damage, but it also means your insurance company may deny the claim or only cover part of the repair costs.
2. Secure Your Home
3. Dry Out Your Home
Water damage from firefighting efforts is common, so start by removing standing water. Use a pump for deep water or a wet-dry shop-style vacuum if the water is shallower. Then use dehumidifiers and high-volume fans to dry out your home. For more details on quickly drying your home, review our drying water damage guide.
4. Clean Smoke and Soot
5. Remove Char and Debris
Fires often leave a far amount of burn marks and debris. Bag larger debris and use a shop vacuum to remove smaller items. Depending on the extent of the fire, you may need to remove sections of drywall, flooring, or cabinets. Make clean, straight cuts, as this will make rebuilding your home easier.
6. Get Rid of Smells and Kill Bacteria
Fires often leave smokey odors, plus standing water can lead to mold and odors as well. That’s why you should always get rid of smells and kill bacteria before rebuilding a house after a fire. Baking soda is great at removing smells after a house fire. Sprinkle it around and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up. To kill bacteria, mix 3/4 of a cup of bleach with a gallon of water and either spray or wipe down every surface.
7. Rebuild Your Home
The steps to rebuilding a house after a fire will vary depending on the extent of the damage. For example, you might only need to paint after a small kitchen fire. However, larger fires might mean rebuilding a room or even a large part of your home. Unless you are familiar with the construction process, you should only try to rebuild your home if you have minor damage inside.
