The length of time restoration takes depends on the extent of damage. Minor damage, such as a kitchen fire, for example, may only take a week or two. Severe structural damage can take a few months or more. When you call Central Coast Casualty Restoration (CCCR), the San Luis Obispo County team assesses the damage and prepares a restoration plan, which includes a schedule and timelines.
Restoration steps that affect the timeline
When the fire is out and the authorities have cleared the building to be safe to enter, the priorities are inspecting and assessing the damage and stabilizing the structure. Stabilization includes boarding up openings, tarping damaged areas, and perhaps fencing the area for security.
Water removal also has a high priority. Firefighting efforts can leave significant amounts of water and moisture, which must be dried out to prevent water damage and mold.
The factors that influence the timeline include:
The size of the fire and the extent of structural and personal property damage. The more structural damage, the more cleaning and repairs are necessary. Personal property includes appliances, carpets, drapes, furnishings, clothing, and everything else that was inside the building.
- Removing water, moisture, mold, smoke, and soot.
- Drying and deodorizing.
- Removing fire debris from the property.
- Repairing structural damage and personal property.
Each restoration step has detailed requirements that, if not completed correctly and thoroughly, can create problems over time. The San Luis Obispo County fire damage restoration team is committed to doing a thorough job, so your life gets on track as soon as possible.
Removing water and moisture are time-consuming steps involving:
- Vacuuming standing water with industrial-level wet vacuums to remove every drop of water.
- Testing for moisture using ultra-sensitive detection devices to identify every place that is retaining moisture.
- Thoroughly drying everything with powerful fans.
Removing water and drying can take several days. Discovering mold can add to that time.
Smoke and soot removal and deodorizing are also detailed processes. Smoke and soot can penetrate walls, ceilings, and ductwork, and sift into fabrics that need special cleaning to reduce the chances of stains. Once cleaned, everything needs to be deodorized.
Repairing structural damage can be as simple as repairing a wall or a major construction project, depending on the extent of the damage.
Delays in the insurance claim process can also cause restoration to take longer. The San Luis Obispo County fire damage restoration team also submits and monitors your insurance claim for you. By working directly with your insurance company, they negotiate on your behalf for the best possible settlement and quickest approval possible. The sooner the claim is approved, the sooner they can get to work.
Getting started
The sooner you call the restoration company, the sooner you can get back into your home.
Early action puts a restoration in place, reduces secondary damage and vandalism, and speeds up drying so the rest of the project can get started.
Every fire is different. The most accurate timeline comes from an on-site inspection and assessment. CCCR takes detailed notes during an inspection, including photographs and videos, and gives you a realistic estimate for completing restoration.
Serving San Luis Obispo County since 1996, CCCR is locally-owned and dedicated to client-focused service every step of the way. On call 24/7, the team’s rapid response speeds up the process.
- CCCR’s experienced team members are licensed, insured, and certified for every step in the fire damage repair process.
- A personal project lead spearheads your fire damage recovery project, keeping you informed every step of the way.
- Take advantage of the free, no-obligation assessment before contacting your insurance company.
- Help you understand the extent of the damage, explain what needs to be done, and answer all of your questions.
- Streamline your insurance claim.
