What a house fire actually leaves behind
Most people expect charred walls and burned furniture. What catches them off guard is everything else.
Things the fire never touched may still be ruined by smoke and soaked by the water used to put the fire out. Anything you want to save, from furniture to dishes to clothing, will need careful cleaning.
Firefighters may also break windows, cut holes in the roof, or open walls to vent smoke and make sure the fire isn't hiding inside the structure. It's part of fighting the fire, and it means the home needs securing afterward.
Safety first: what to do before you go back in
Don't go back inside until the fire department says it's safe. Floors and walls may not be as safe as they look, and the U.S. Fire Administration warns that soot and the dirty water left behind may contain things that could make you sick.
If utilities weren't safe when firefighters left, they will have had water, electricity and gas shut off before leaving. Don't turn them back on yourself.
Once you're cleared to enter, be very careful going in and handling fire-damaged items.
Your first steps after the fire
Call your insurance company right away. Ask what to do first, who to talk to about cleanup, and how to keep the home safe until it's repaired. Ask whether you or the insurer pays for initial cleaning, and get any estimate in writing.
A few other things to take care of early:
Let the police know the home will be empty for a while.
If needed, board up windows and doors so no one can get in while the home is unoccupied.
Take photos or video of the damage and your belongings. If you have a home inventory list, gather it now.
The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army can help with food, clothing, medicine and a place to stay if you need it right away.
The fire is out, but the smell and the damage are still everywhere you look.
Soot is on everything, and the smoke smell is in every room. Rooms soaked by the fire hoses add water damage on top of it all.
A skilled local restoration company can clean the soot, work on the odor, dry out the water and help bring your home back to a place you can live in again. You get a clear path forward instead of standing in the middle of it alone.
Talk to Someone NowReach one of Louisville's top-rated restoration companies for a free quote, no obligation. Call (502) 754-4273
Protecting your claim and your home
The Kentucky Department of Insurance says to make essential temporary repairs to prevent further damage, like covering a hole in the roof or tarping broken windows, and to keep every receipt. Hold off on permanent repairs until you've talked with your insurer, because work done before authorization may not be covered.
Save every receipt for money you spend after the fire. They may be needed by your insurer and can help document losses.
Most homeowners policies include additional living expenses coverage if you can't stay in your home after covered damage. This typically covers things like a hotel and reasonable restaurant meals above your normal costs. It has limits, so keep records of everything.
One Kentucky rule worth knowing: since April 2, 2024, you cannot sign your insurance policy rights or benefits over to a contractor. You can still have the insurer pay a contractor directly for covered work.
What fire and smoke restoration usually involves
A restoration company may start by boarding up openings and tarping the roof to secure the home. From there, the work typically moves to removing the water left from firefighting, because standing water and wet materials can lead to mold growth if they aren't dried out within 24 to 48 hours.
After the water is out, soot cleanup begins. That means cleaning surfaces, contents and sometimes ductwork. Smoke and odor work may follow.
Once the structure is dry and cleaned, the rebuilding phase begins: replacing drywall, flooring, insulation and anything else that couldn't be restored.
If mold does develop from the firefighting water, Kentucky law requires any remediation company to give you a written assessment and remediation plan before you sign anything, including what areas get treated, the tasks involved, a price estimate and the source of the moisture. A written contract is required before work starts, and any additional costs require a signed change order.
How to choose a fire damage restoration company
Get a written estimate before agreeing to anything. Ask for a written contract that spells out the scope of work, the total cost and the completion date. The Kentucky Department of Insurance's advice: don't sign any documents until you fully understand what you're signing.
Ask for references and check them. The Kentucky Department of Insurance consumer line is available at 800-595-6053 or 502-564-3630 if you have questions about your claim.
Firefighting water or mold afterward? See water damage restoration in Louisville and mold remediation in Louisville.
Frequently asked questions
The fire was in one room. Why does the rest of the house smell like smoke?
Smoke reaches well past the flames. The U.S. Fire Administration notes that things the fire never touched may still be ruined by smoke. A restoration company can look at the whole house, not just the room where the fire started.
Can water from firefighting really cause mold?
It can, especially if it isn't dried out quickly. The EPA says drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours is the key to preventing mold growth. That's one reason getting a restoration company involved soon after the fire is important.
What if I can't afford a hotel while my home is being repaired?
Check your homeowners policy for additional living expenses coverage. Most homeowners policies include it for covered losses, and it can pay for a hotel and reasonable meal costs above what you'd normally spend. Keep every receipt, because the insurer will need documentation.
You don't have to figure out the next step alone.
Call now or fill out the form to get connected with one of Louisville's top-rated restoration companies.