Items That Can Survive a House Fire: Metal Objects: Coins, jewelry, keys, and metal tools are often fire-resistant and can survive even intense heat, though they may suffer discoloration or warping. Ceramics and Glass: Items like pottery, glassware, and dishes can withstand fire, but extreme heat may cause cracks or breakage. Fireproof Safes: Documents, cash, and valuables stored in a high-quality fireproof safe have a strong chance of survival. These safes are designed to protect contents from heat and smoke for a specific duration. Stone or Brick Materials: Items made of natural stone, such as statues or granite countertops, can often withstand fire without significant damage. Certain Electronics: Some electronics housed in metal casings might survive a fire, though internal components are likely to be damaged by heat or smoke. Photographs and Documents (in fire-resistant storage): If stored in fireproof containers, irreplaceable documents and photographs may escape damage. Cookware: Cast iron pans, stainless steel pots, and other fire-resistant cookware are often unharmed, although cleaning may be necessary. Concrete Structures: Concrete walls, floors, and other structural elements often remain intact after a fire, providing a foundation for rebuilding.

Lingering Odors A persistent, smoky smell is one of the first indicators of smoke damage. This odor can penetrate walls, furniture, carpets, and even ventilation systems. Discoloration or Soot Residue Look for yellowing, dark stains, or a powdery black residue on walls, ceilings, and surfaces. Soot may also settle on windows, mirrors, and light fixtures. Damage to Paint and Wallpaper Smoke can cause paint to peel, blister, or discolor. Wallpaper may also show signs of staining or warping. Stains on Fabrics and Carpets Upholstery, curtains, and carpets may appear discolored or have visible soot marks. Even if stains aren’t visible, odors can remain trapped in fibers. Corrosion on Metal Surfaces Smoke contains acidic particles that can corrode metals over time, leaving pitted or tarnished finishes on appliances, fixtures, and tools. Health Symptoms If you or your family experience unexplained respiratory issues, headaches, or irritation, it could be due to lingering smoke particles in the air.

The First Things to Do After a Fire After a fire, the most important steps are ensuring your safety and taking immediate actions to prevent further damage. Here's what you should do: Ensure Everyone’s Safety Evacuate: Make sure everyone is safely out of the house. Don't re-enter the building until it has been declared safe by the fire department. Check for Injuries: If anyone is injured, seek medical attention immediately. Call Your Insurance Company Report the Damage: Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to file a claim. They will guide you through the process and may send an adjuster to assess the damage. Document the Damage: Take photographs or videos of the damage, including structural damage, contents, and any items that were destroyed or affected by smoke or water. Contact a Fire Damage Restoration Company Call Palisades Restoration: The sooner you call a professional fire damage restoration service, the better. We can help you secure your property, start cleaning, and prevent secondary damage, such as mold or further structural issues. Secure Your Property Board Up Windows and Doors: If there are holes or broken windows, board them up to prevent weather damage or looting. Tarp the Roof: If your roof is damaged, cover it with a tarp to avoid water damage until repairs can be made. Avoid Using Electrical Appliances Don’t Turn on Power: If there is any damage to the electrical system, don’t turn on lights, appliances, or electronics until a professional has inspected it. Start the Cleanup Process Ventilate the Home: Open windows and doors (if safe) to let the smoke and heat escape. Don’t Touch or Clean: Avoid touching or cleaning items covered in soot or smoke residue—this can make the damage worse. Let the professionals handle it.

1. Assessment and Inspection (1–2 days) After contacting Palisades Restoration, our team will conduct a thorough inspection of your property. This includes evaluating fire, smoke, and water damage to determine the necessary repairs and cleaning steps. This phase typically takes one to two days, depending on the extent of the damage. 2. Emergency Services and Securing the Property (1–3 days) If your home has significant damage, our team will secure the property with temporary measures like boarding up windows and tarping roofs. Emergency services may include water extraction if firefighting efforts have caused flooding or additional water damage. This process can take a few days. 3. Cleaning and Deodorization (3–7 days) Smoke and soot removal, along with deodorization, are critical to the restoration process. Cleaning affected surfaces (walls, ceilings, furniture, carpets) and applying odor-neutralizing techniques (like ozone treatment) can take several days. This depends on the size of the area and the severity of smoke damage. 4. Repairs and Reconstruction (1–4 weeks) If the fire caused structural damage to the building, repairs and reconstruction may take a longer time. This includes rebuilding walls, replacing damaged floors, and installing new roofing or electrical systems. The duration depends on the extent of the damage and whether structural work or code updates are needed. 5. Final Inspection and Touch-ups (1–2 days) Once the primary work is complete, we’ll perform a final inspection to ensure everything is up to standard. Any minor touch-ups or final adjustments will be made during this phase, which typically takes one to two days.