How To Protect Your Home After Fire Damage

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Sandy, UT.

Whether you are waiting on the insurance company or the contractor, it can take a while for repairs to be completed on a fire-damaged home. Protective steps, such as board up service, can prevent additional damage from occurring to your home while you wait.

Emergency Board Up Service

If your home has extensive fire damage, you may be tempted to think it couldn't possibly get any worse. However bad the damage may seem, there are several reasons you should protect your property:

1. Theft or Vandalism

Vacant homes are attractive targets for thieves and vandals because the risk of being caught is lower. Burned homes may contain valuable property that thieves may steal if your home is not properly protected.

2. Insurance Requirements

Most insurance policies require homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage from occurring to their homes. Failing to take these steps may result in additional damage not being covered by your insurance. Fortunately, most insurance covers the cost of these protective measures.

3. Liability

If you don't secure your damaged home and someone goes inside and gets hurt, you may be liable for that person's injuries. However, you should not enter an unsafe building yourself. You may need to contact a professional restoration service in Sandy, UT, to safely secure your property.

4. Weather and Animals

Holes in the roof and walls of your home provide entry points for wind, water and animals. Covering up these openings prevents additional damage from occurring because of a storm or animal infestation.

What Is Board Up Service?

The heat from a fire can cause windows to break. Additionally, windows are often targets for vandals or thieves. Windows can be secured by covering the openings with plywood and securing them with bolts attached to the interior walls. Plywood may also be used to cover sections of the exterior walls or roof that have holes.

What Is Tarping?

Tarps may be used to cover damaged portions of your roof to prevent rain from entering your home. Because working on a fire-damaged roof can be dangerous, it is a good idea to contact a professional to provide this service. 

What Other Steps Should I Take?

The water used to put out fires can cause additional damage if steps are not taken to dry out your home as soon as possible. Do not attempt to enter your home until the fire department says it is safe. Once you can go inside, start removing wet items. Consider contacting a restoration service to assist with drying out your home. 

Do not attempt to move back into your home until all of the fire and smoke damage has been cleaned up. If you have insurance, your insurance policy may pay for you to temporarily live somewhere else, such as a hotel room or a rental, while your home is being cleaned and repaired.

Protective steps, such as board up service, can prevent additional damage to your home.  Your insurance professional or local fire department can assist you if you are unsure which steps to take to secure your property.