Commercial Mitigation: What to Know About Fire Damage

Your business affects every aspect of your life, and rebuilding after a fire can be a devastating experience. The fact is that your number one priority is to get your employees to safety and ensure the fire is extinguished as quickly as possible.

But what do you do after that? The largest challenge is rebuilding your company, which means moving into mitigation and restoration, so here are five critical steps in the process.

1. Close-Off Openings

Chances are the doors and openings in your business will be directly affected by the fire. If damage has occurred and parts are exposed, this can cause additional risks to the building. So it is recommended to board up any holes left exposed to reduce possible damage from not only the elements but animals and looters.

2. Dry Out Everything

Unfortunately, water damage is part of dealing with fires, especially on a larger scale. From the initial water used to put out the fire to exposed areas of the building subjected to rain and snow, every part becomes susceptible to issues. And without proper drying, mold and mildew can grow and create a larger problem you don't want to deal with.

Investing in professional services is always recommended because their specialized equipment and training ensure that every part of your property is dry and ready for restoration, so you don't have to worry.

3. Pre-Cleaning and Deodorization

Even with the fire extinguished, that doesn't mean the damage is done. Soot residue is another concern, and because it has corrosive and acidic traits, it can cause further damage to surfaces. Without proper training, finding all the problem areas can feel overwhelming.

Working with a professional restoration company can make all the difference because they know how to spot soot and get it cleaned up fast.

4. Remove Damaged Contents

In a fire; the building isn't the only part destroyed; any inventory can and will be damaged. Another step in the process is determining what content is salvageable and can be repaired and what cannot.

You will also need an itemized inventory list for your insurance claim, so as you go through your inventory, be sure to write down whatever remaining property is left over and if it is in salvageable condition. 

5. Damage Restoration

The last step in the process is to restore any inventory that hasn't been destroyed. Smoke and soot can get into the smallest areas and directly affect the items. There may be some items that need a professional specializing in restoration for specific inventory and others that you can do on your own.

Internal and possible external restoration will need to be completed; in some cases, you may have to invest in reconstruction services, so choose a company like Restoration Network that can assist you through the entire process.

Your Twin Cities Fire Restoration Experts

Going through a fire is challenging enough, and having to go through the mitigation steps can be even more overwhelming, which is why working with a professional is critical. Restoration Network is a full-service restoration company; whether you need storm damage repair or fire restoration, we do it all in Minnesota.

Our goal is to bring your business back to life, and we offer 24/7 emergency services, so message us online or call us at 612-564-0202 for your free inspection.