Your Belongings and Fire Damage

When a fire occurs in your home, it can be overwhelming to decide what to do with your smoke-damaged belongings. In many cases, it is possible to restore your belongings to their pre-fire condition with the help of a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of Appleton.

The decision to replace or restore smoke-damaged belongings depends on the severity of the damage. In general, if an item is heavily damaged, it may be best to dispose of it and replace it with a new item. For example, items that have been burned, melted, or warped beyond repair are likely beyond restoration and should be discarded.

However, many smoke-damaged items can be restored with the help of professional restoration services. Restoration techniques, such as dry-cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning, can remove soot and smoke residue from a wide range of items, including clothing, furniture, and electronics.

The restoration process begins with a thorough evaluation of the extent of the damage. If the item can be restored, it is then carefully cleaned and sanitized to remove any smoke residue. In some cases, items may need to be deodorized to remove any lingering smoke odors.

Ultimately, the decision to replace or restore smoke-damaged belongings is best made in consultation with a professional restoration company. At SERVPRO of Appleton, our experienced technicians can help you evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the best course of action for your belongings.

If You Have Questions or Need Help, Call Us Today – (920) 832-1110

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO of Appleton specializes in restoring contents damaged by water, fire, or mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your belongings to determine what items we can restore to pre-fire condition. We use several methods of cleaning your contents, including:

• 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 can’t 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.
   

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning due to fire damage, SERVPRO of Appleton can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. Move-out will provide several benefits, including:

• A quicker remodeling process
• Protecting items from potential damage
• Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Electronic Cleanup

Fire-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by fire. Smoke residues can contain acids that corrode metal surfaces. If the residues are not removed, corrosion causes electronic failure in the device. We will coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including:

• Television sets
• DVD players
• Computers
• And more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.

Document / Photograph Drying

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water or fire, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the fire damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-fire damage condition, SERVPRO of Appleton can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage. 

Depending on the type of documents and the level of fire, smoke, or soot damage, they have five options for the restoration of documents:

• Air Drying
• Dehumidification
• Freezer Drying
• Vacuum Freeze Drying
• Vacuum Thermal Drying

Contents Claim Inventory Service

When a fire emergency strikes, the damage can often feel overwhelming. We can help ease the worry and confusion during the recovery process by offering our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS), which provides a detailed and accurate list of your belongings. We take a room-by-room inventory of your contents, including digital photos, and in some instances, bar coding.

Our Contents Claim Inventory Service:

• Preloss list and value of contents
• Detailed and accurate report
• Better information to settle claims quicker
• Assistance with burden of proof for claims

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