Structure vs Contents in a Fire Loss

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

In an August 12th blog post, we discussed the fact that restoring your home or business after a water loss is often a two step process.  There is the mitigation process, where the structure is dried, and secondary damage like wood rot and mold is prevented.  Then there is the rebuild process where things that were displaced, or couldn't be properly dried in the mitigation process, are rebuilt or put back together.  

Restoring your home or business after a fire is also a two step process.  There is the process of cleaning and repairing the structure itself, and there is the process of cleaning the contents IN the structure; things like clothing, dishes, furniture, art work, electronics etc...As you can see by the attached picture from a home fire, the structure, ie..the walls and ceiling are completely coated in soot and smoke, as well as the contents of the home like the couch, tables, wall sconces etc.

In a water loss situation, the steps must be done in the proper order.  In a fire loss situation, the two processes can go on simultaneously.  In addition, it's entirely possible to hire one company to clean and repair the structure, and have different company clean the contents.

We here at SERVPRO of Appleton are a full service restoration company.  We can clean and repair your structure after a fire, as well as the contents of your structure.  If you experience a fire, we can make it like it never even happened.  Pictures of homes we have restored after a fire can be found in the Before and After Photos section of our website.