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What Items Can Be Saved After a House Fire?

Ryker Bingham |  Oct 19, 2021

What Items Can Be Saved After a House Fire?

Thankfully, house fires are a relatively uncommon occurrence, but Meridian, ID homeowners like yourself should still take every precaution against fire damage. Especially heading towards the winter months, it’s vital to do everything you can to prevent house fires from occurring. But accidents do happen, unfortunately.

If you find yourself embarking on a fire remediation project for your home & you don't know what items survived, here are a few important things to keep in mind:

  • Hire a professional home inspector for your electrical, structural, and plumbing
  • Carefully evaluate linens, toys, clothing, and home textiles
  • How to save your kitchen
  • Restoring your valuables
  • Tools and cleaning methods

If the unthinkable happens and your beloved home suffers damage from a fire, don’t lose hope! With the proper procedures, you’ll be able to save more than you think. Read on for additional tips to successfully navigate the fire restoration obstacle course. 

Call in The Big Guns

The first thing you should do after a fire incident is contact your home insurance agent, who will assist you with finding a professional home inspector. This licensed pro should have years of experience in assessing fire damage and a keen eye for detail. 

According to FEMA, there can be chemicals and fumes remaining after the fire is out that can cause harm if ingested. A skilled home inspector will be able to help you ensure that it’s safe to proceed with the restoration process. 

The American Red Cross has a handy checklist on which areas of your home the inspector should pay close attention to:

  • Checking the foundation for cracks
  • "Loose power lines"
  • Possible gas leaks
  • Doors and windows
  • Sagging ceilings
  • Wall and floor damage
  • Wiring and electrical systems
  • Sewer lines and plumbing
  • HVAC

After a thorough inspection, you’ll have a much better idea of what rooms in the house are habitable and which will need repaired. 

The Sniff Test

One of the most daunting tasks after a house fire is figuring out which of your family’s treasured belongings are salvageable and which ones will need to be thrown out. The fire itself can leave scorch marks, or things can be waterlogged from mitigation efforts. And everyone knows the lingering smell of smoke is quite funky, especially if it’s trapped in something soggy. 

If your belongings are merely wet, smelly, or dirty, you can probably rescue them and bring them back to life with high-quality laundry detergent and a trip through the wash cycle. For bedding, rugs, towels, or toys that have burn marks or are clearly beyond repair, it's best if they are disposed of immediately. 

The Kitchen is The Heart of Your Home

Dealing with fire damage to your kitchen can be a real bummer, especially if that’s where the fire began. FEMA also points out that cooking is the #1 cause of residential fire accidents. But don’t despair. If your home inspection shows no structural or flooring damage, you’ll be back to whipping up your family’s favorite meals in no time. 

Be sure to wipe down your walls and cabinetry carefully, permitting that it's safe to do so & the smell doesn't drive you away. Throw out any food that was burned or hit with the fire hose. If your kitchen lost power for any length of time during the fire or afterward, it’s safest to dispose of food in the fridge or freezer that may have gone off. Wash your dishes and cookware carefully to completely remove any lingering soot or chemicals. Again, check with your restoration team to make sure it's safe to tackle this task.

Check your large kitchen appliances carefully for burn marks or electrical damage. Your home inspector will have checked the wiring, but it’s wise to clean and test your stove, dishwasher, and microwave before using.

The Family Jewels

Metal filing cabinets, heirloom silver, and many kinds of jewelry can usually make it through a house fire intact. However, if you have a beloved collection of antiques or valuable jewelry pieces, you may want to consider having them insured in case of unforeseen occurrences like thefts, floods, or fires. 

Investing in a fire-proof safe is always a smart move, of course. Homeownership documents, marriage and birth certificates, and financial paperwork should always be stored securely. While gold and silver jewelry and gemstones will make it through a fire relatively unscathed, expensive watches aren’t always so lucky. These can be ruined by fire, so if you adore your designer timepieces, keep them in a fireproof safe. 

So Fresh and So Clean

Surprisingly, there are a bunch of simple solutions for removing soot and smoke odors from your various home surfaces, including:

  • Dish Soap
  • Household Detergents-Of course, any cleaning solution containing bleach should only be applied to the appropriate surfaces. 
  • Water

Power washers are fabulous for removing soot from exterior surfaces as well. The Spruce recommends scrubbing with a sturdy, hard-bristled brush and "a solution of Borax and water" for particularly stubborn stains. 

Conclusion

Ensure that your family and your valued possessions and documents are secure. Invest in a fire-proof safe, high-quality smoke alarms, and functional fire extinguishers, especially in the kitchen. Have a plan in case a fire does break out. 

In the aftermath, it can be hard to focus on getting your life back to normal. By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to restore your home and mitigate nasty fire damage completely.

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