Rebuilding Lives After a Fire: A Comprehensive Guide on What to Do After a House Fire

House Fire Austin texas

A house fire is a devastating event that can leave families feeling overwhelmed, vulnerable, and uncertain about the future. In the aftermath of such a tragedy, knowing what steps to take is crucial for starting the process of recovery and rebuilding. This comprehensive guide offers a roadmap for what to do after a house fire, providing practical advice, emotional support, and resources to help individuals and families navigate the challenging journey toward restoration.

**1. Ensure Safety First: The safety of you and your loved ones is paramount. After a house fire, make sure everyone is safe and accounted for. If you haven’t already, contact emergency services to report the fire and ensure that the site is safe to enter.

**2. Wait for Clearance: Before re-entering your home, wait for clearance from the fire department or relevant authorities. Fires can cause structural damage, making the building unstable. Professionals need to assess the safety of the structure before anyone can enter.

**3. Contact Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company about the fire as soon as possible. Your insurance agent can guide you on the steps to take, including filing a claim and documenting the damage. Be thorough in providing information and photographs to support your claim.

**4. Document the Damage: Take photographs and videos of the damage for insurance purposes. Document every affected area and item, even if it seems minor. This documentation will be essential during the claims process.

**5. Secure Your Property: Secure your property to prevent further damage. Board up windows, doors, and any other openings. Cover damaged areas with tarps to protect against the elements. This temporary protection is crucial until permanent repairs can be made.

**6. Contact Restoration Professionals: Reach out to reputable restoration and cleaning professionals. They can assess the damage, provide estimates for repairs, and help salvage belongings. Restoration experts can also assist in cleaning and deodorizing your home, mitigating the effects of smoke and soot.

**7. Coordinate Temporary Housing: If your home is uninhabitable, arrange for temporary housing for you and your family. Contact local emergency services, community organizations, or your insurance company for assistance in finding suitable temporary accommodations.

**8. Address Immediate Needs: Contact your local Red Cross, religious organizations, or community groups for immediate assistance with necessities like food, clothing, and toiletries. These organizations often provide emergency relief to families affected by disasters.

**9. Replace Important Documents: Lost documents, such as identification cards, passports, and insurance policies, need to be replaced. Contact the relevant authorities to obtain new copies. Keep a record of all communication and transactions related to document replacements.

**10. Seek Emotional Support: Coping with the aftermath of a house fire can be emotionally challenging. Reach out to friends, family, or mental health professionals for emotional support. Many communities offer support groups for disaster survivors, providing a safe space to share experiences and feelings.

**11. Dispose of Damaged Items: Dispose of items that are beyond salvage or repair. Be cautious while handling damaged materials, especially those contaminated by chemicals or hazardous materials. Follow local guidelines and regulations for disposing of damaged items safely.

**12. Plan for Rebuilding: Work with contractors and architects to assess the structural integrity of your home. Plan the rebuilding process, considering necessary repairs, renovations, and safety upgrades. Obtain multiple quotes and select professionals who are experienced in fire damage restoration.

**13. Address Water and Utilities: Contact utility companies to disconnect services temporarily. Address any water damage promptly to prevent mold growth. Restoration professionals can assess and mitigate water damage in your home.

**14. Coordinate with Fire Investigators: If necessary, coordinate with fire investigators to determine the cause of the fire. This information may be required by your insurance company and can provide closure regarding the incident.

**15. Stay Organized: Keep all documentation related to the fire, including communication with insurance companies, contractors, and service providers, in one organized folder. Having a record of your interactions can help streamline the recovery process.

**16. Prepare for the Future: Consider fire safety measures for your new home. Install smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and consider a home sprinkler system. Educate your family about fire safety and create a fire escape plan to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Conclusion: Recovering from a house fire is a challenging journey that requires patience, resilience, and support from various sources. By taking these practical restoration steps, seeking emotional assistance, and staying organized, individuals and families can gradually rebuild their lives and homes after the flames have been extinguished. While the process may be arduous, the strength and determination displayed during these challenging times can lead to a new beginning, reminding everyone that even in the face of adversity, hope and recovery are possible.For quality restoration Austin give us a call.

5 Tips from the Experts About Fire Damage Restoration in Austin, Texas

Fire Damage restoration services In austin texas

A fire is one of the most devastating disasters a home, office, or building can experience.  While you’re trying to get your life back in order, it’s only natural do want to be hands-on as soon as possible. The only problem is that sometimes that’s not the best idea. Here are five tips about fire damage restoration that’s sure to minimize damage and get your life back in order. 

1. Avoid Making The Damage Worse

It can be easy to go into a frenzy when you’re faced with an unimaginable tragedy. You’re scared, confused, and just want to make things right – we get it. When you’re faced with fire damage, however, sometimes less is more. Limit movement to avoid spreading soot, cover carpet and upholstery with clean towels, and try not to stress – everything will be okay.

2. Plan Your Next Steps

Before you start the cleaning or restoration process, call the professionals. The Steam Team is trained in all things fire restoration so that you can rest easy knowing that the best people in the business are here to help get your life back to normal. 

3. Fix What You Can But Only What You Should

While you might want to take a crack at fixing the damage yourself, it’s not only unrealistic, but it can also be unsafe and cause more destruction. Feel free to change your HVAC filter and clean out your refrigerator if the power is out, but leave the rest to the professionals.

4. Be Wary Of Cleaning

Sometimes cleaning can be a mistake instead of making things better. Don’t try to wash your walls or carpet before contacting The Steam Team to evaluate the situation. Avoid cleaning electrical appliances that have been close to fire, heat, or water, and don’t send clothes to the cleaner so that the smoke doesn’t set in the fabric. For now, think less is more. 

5. Be Careful

Last but not least, be extremely careful when moving around the dwelling and using appliances and furniture. Don’t turn on the ceiling fans if the ceiling is wet, and don’t eat any packaged food that could have been exposed to smoke. 

If you’re dealing with fire damage, call The Steam Team and have peace of mind knowing that we’ve got it from here.

How To Safely Clean Up After Fire Damage in Austin, Texas

Austin Cleaing Professionals

​Nobody wants to think they’ll have a fire occur in their Austin, Texas home or business, but they’re more common than you may think. It's important to know how you’re going to clean up after such a disastrous event, and how to do it safely. You might be thinking of cleaning up the mess yourself and restoring your home or business to its former glory. But before you get in there and start scrubbing, here are some things you might want to know. Call your fire damage cleaning Austin, Texas headquarters.

Harmful Chemicals For Fire Damage Clean Up

The modern home in Austin is filled with all sorts of chemical compounds that can become dangerous when they combust or combine with other chemicals. In the event of a fire, the smoke can contain many of these dangerous chemicals and should under no circumstances be inhaled.

Carbon Monoxide

Inhaling carbon monoxide (which is in smoke) can decrease your body’s supply of oxygen. This can cause reduced alertness, headaches, aggravate existing heart conditions and cause a variety of other health concerns.

Irritation and Nausea

There are also more immediate effects that almost anyone will have when exposed to smoke, such as irritation in the eyes, nose and throat, as well as an odor that can sometimes cause nausea. These are all signs from your body telling you to stay far away from the smoke.

At-Risk Individuals

Infants, children, and the elderly are particularly at risk of health issues as a result of smoke and soot. No children, seniors, or anyone with a weakened immune system should get near a room or building that has just had a fire.

Long-Term Health Risks

Long term exposure to smoke has been associated to an increase in cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have shown that firefighters, for example, are more likely to develop long-lasting respiratory issues and cardiovascular disease.

A Safer Way To Clean Up After Fires in Austin, Texas

Because of all of the reasons listed above, and many more, it is highly unsafe to try cleaning and restoring a fire damaged home yourself. To keep you and your loved ones safe, hand the job over to the professionals. The Steam Team of Austin who are experts will be able to safely restore your home, business or room, without your safety or the safety of your loved ones at risk.Call for a free fire damage restoration estimate in Austin.

How To Avoid These Dangerous Aftereffects of Fire Damage

Fire Damage Austin

Millions of people experience serious fire damage in their homes every year, and if it happens in your home, as much as you don’t think it will, you need to be prepared. After the fire is put out by firefighters and you’re assessing the damage, you might be thinking of cleaning up the mess yourself and restoring your home or room to its former glory. But before you get in there and start scrubbing, here are some things you might want to know.

Dangerous Chemicals

The modern home is filled with all sorts of chemical compounds that can become dangerous when they combust or combine with other chemicals. In the event of a fire, the smoke can contain many of these dangerous chemicals and should under no circumstances be inhaled.

Weakened Immune Systems

Infants, children, and the elderly are particularly at risk of health issues as a result of smoke and soot. No children, seniors, or anyone with a weakened immune system should get near a room or building that has just had a fire.

Immediate Dangers

There are also more immediate effects that almost anyone will have when exposed to smoke, such as irritation in the eyes, nose and throat, as well as an odor that can sometimes cause nausea. These are all signs from your body telling you to stay far away from the smoke.

Decreased Oxygen

Inhaling carbon monoxide (which is in smoke) can decrease your body’s supply of oxygen. This can cause reduced alertness, headaches, aggravate existing heart conditions and cause a variety of other health concerns.

Long Term Health Effects

Long term exposure to smoke has been associated to an increase in cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have shown that firefighters, for example, are more likely to develop long-lasting respiratory issues and cardiovascular disease.

The Safe Way

Because of all of the reasons listed above, and many more, it is highly unsafe to try cleaning and restoring a fire damaged home yourself. To keep you and your loved ones safe, hand the job over to the professionals. The Steam Team experts will be able to safely restore your home to its former glory. Don’t hesitate to call.

How To Avoid Fire Damage In Your Home Austin, Texas

Fire Damage Clean Up Austin Texas

The Steam Team has a lot of experience dealing with the aftermath of fires, since we offer fire damage cleaning and restorations services. From our many years of serving the central Texas community, we’ve learned a thing or two about how these fire disasters start and how they might be avoided with the right practices. Here’s some important advice on avoiding fires in your home.

Check Your Dryer Vents

You might not think too much about it, but a dryer vent that’s left uncleaned and builds up lint can easily lead to a fire and cause irreversible damage to your home. Any buildup of lint or debris in the dryer vent can become flammable and extremely hazardous. Keeping your dryer vents cleaned is of utmost importance when it comes to preventing fire disasters. Even if a fire doesn’t occur, a buildup of lint or debris will cause the dryer to work harder, raising your energy bill in the long run.

Yearly Inspection

The common recommendation from most professionals is that you have your dryer vents and connected systems inspected and cleaned once every year. Here at The Steam Team we offer that very service. All vents, ducting and connected systems will be thoroughly cleaned to help keep your home safe from fire disaster.

Professional Dryer Vent Cleaning

Our professional technicians will be ready for your call if you need dryer vents cleaned and you haven’t done it yet this year. They’ll arrive with the most powerful and effective equipment for the job and we’ll offer you fair pricing backed with a guarantee. We handle not only residential, but commercial dryer vent cleaning as well! If you want to help avoid fire damage in your home or business, call in The Steam Team. For more information on our many other services, visit The Steam Team website.

What's Your Plan After A House Fire?

House fires can happen when you least expect them, and they can cause extensive amounts of damage to your home and destroy irreplaceable items. If this happens in your home, what’s your plan? If your emergency plan includes calling in The Steam Team, we can promise your home will be in good hands. Our professional technicians will arrive with the right equipment and knowledge to restore your home, no matter how serious the fire damage may be.

The Solo Approach

You may be thinking that you can handle the restoration and cleaning of your home all by yourself. But to take on such a massive job, you’d need all the proper safety equipment and high-tech cleaning equipment. And even then, you may be in danger. If there were any chemicals in the home from cleaning products or a variety of other things, the smoke from these burning materials could still be in the home, and inhaling it could be lethal. Ash and soot left behind after the fire could have entered the air vents and could make breathing difficult. Intensive cleaning will be required to get odors and stains out of certain parts of the home, and you likely won’t have the equipment for it. For all these reasons and more, its best to leave the job of fire damage restoration and cleaning up to the professionals with years of experience, the right equipment and great dedication to everyone we help.

Help From The Steam Team

After firefighters have left the premises and you’ve called in The Steam Team, our professional team will get to work right away, inspecting, sealing off the home and beginning the cleaning process. All ash and soot will be removed, all surfaces will be sanitized and the home will be thoroughly cleaned and restored. For more information on how The Steam Team can help you after a serious house fire, please visit The Steam Team website.

5 Ways To Prevent House Fires

You’ve heard the stories from someone you know, or at least seen someone tell their story on tv. It started out of nowhere, then- before they knew it- countless amounts of money in damage, irreplaceable items lost, and sometimes even loved ones gone. House fires are NO JOKE! In fact, there are about 365,500 house fires in the U.S. every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. On average, 7 people die in U.S. house fires every day. If you want to keep your home and loved ones safe, it is critical that you follow these 5 tips.

Smoke Alarms

This one should be a no-brainer. Smoke alarms are absolutely essential for keeping your home safe. Make sure you install at least one on every level of your home and inside all the bedrooms in the house.

Battery Changes

Having smoke alarms is great, as long as you alway remember to make sure they’re working. Test the smoke alarms once per month, and if the batteries are dead, replace them.

Checking The Home

Be sure to check certain systems in your home regularly. You may even want to hire a professional to ensure that your home is thoroughly inspected. The things you should regularly check include; the condition of your home’s electrical system, the natural gas/LP gas system in your home, and the air conditioning and heating units in your home.

Kitchen Safety

One of the most common causes of house fires is something going wrong in the kitchen. To ensure your safety in the kitchen, follow these practices: When you’re cooking on a stove and need to leave the stove for a minute or two, turn it off rather than letting it cook unattended. Don’t cook while under the influence of any drugs or alcohol, or if you’re tired. Also, ensure that no clothes or rags are left on or near a burner.

Safe Use of Wires

Faulty wiring and outlets are one of the top causes of house fires. So make sure your wires and outlets are working properly. Do not attempt to plug or unplug anything if your hands are wet. Also, don’t pinch or cover electrical cords with items like rugs.

If all of the above steps are followed, and the unthinkable fire still occurs, remember that The Steam Team has fire damage restoration experts awaiting your call.

3 Frequently Asked Questions About Caring for Leather Furniture After Fire Damage

So perhaps you’ve just bought a brand new set of living room furniture- all leather upholstered. If you’re wondering how to properly care for it, you’ve come to the right place! Below, The Steam Team has three frequently asked questions about leather furniture and how it’s cared for, and we hope you find the answers helpful!

How Can Leather Be Cleaned?

When it comes to cleaning, leather upholstery typically needs to be dusted and vacuumed on a weekly basis. You can wipe it down with a dry microfiber cloth, or a damp cloth if the dust is thicker. Remember to never, ever use a soaking wet cloth on your leather upholstery. Use your vacuum’s cleaning attachment to vacuum corners, nooks, and crannies in leather furniture. It’ll do wonders!

How Often Should Leather Be Conditioned?

Next, comes conditioning. Leather conditioning is just as important as leather cleaning! Leather furniture should be conditioned once to twice a year, depending on the amount of wear and tear it endures on a daily basis, and quickly it’s drying out.

What Causes Leather to Dry Out?

Leather is similar to our skin, which needs to stay moisturized in order to remain healthy and in good condition. What causes leather to dry out? Well, if your sofa or chair is near an air vent, or a sunny window, it could dry out and fade quicker than if it were placed away from the vent/window (or if the window were covered).

The Steam Team has over a decade of experience with cleaning, conditioning, and caring for leather furniture! Especially after fire damage and water damage. If your furniture is in need of a little bit of tender loving care, don’t be afraid to contact The Steam Team. We can clean and restore your leather to its original condition, and you’ll love the results! Visit our locations at 9901 Burnet Road Austin, Texas 78758 or 1904 West Koenig Lane Austin, Texas 78756 or 222 West Ave. Austin, Texas 78701 anytime.