Experiencing a fire in your home can be a terrifying experience. No matter how careful we are, a fire can happen in no time. Some of the leading causes of house fires are electric short circuits, lightning strikes, being temporarily distracted around open fires or a disastrous chemical spill. Most of us have some form of fire fighting equipment in our homes, which is crucial when you need to act fast to stop a fire. Keeping your home firefighting equipment regularly maintained and inspected, is one of the biggest favors you can do for yourself and your loved ones.
Fires happen and we have compiled a handy list of tips outlining what you should and should not do, in the aftermath of a house fire.
McKinley Fire Restoration
FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION CHICAGO
WHO WE ARE?
We specialize in smoke and fire damage restoration service for both residential and commercial properties in Chicago and the surrounding area.
Thanks to the knowledge gained from numerous years of fire and water restoration industry experience, we provide affordable services for all of our clients.
We possess all required bonds, licenses, and insurance in addition to being efficient and professional.
We are available 24/7 as fire in your house or office may take place without notice, at any time of night or day.
Prior to beginning fire and smoke damage restoration work, we’ll give you a comprehensive report with detailed steps to follow in order to completely restore your property.
We will handle the claims process for you to help you receive 100% coverage from your insurance company.
As a local crew, we are proud to serve Chicago business and homeowners with fire damage restoration over the past years.
Thanks to the knowledge gained from numerous years of fire and water restoration industry experience, we provide affordable services for all of our clients.
We possess all required bonds, licenses, and insurance in addition to being efficient and professional.
We are available 24/7 as fire in your house or office may take place without notice, at any time of night or day.
Prior to beginning fire and smoke damage restoration work, we’ll give you a comprehensive report with detailed steps to follow in order to completely restore your property.
We will handle the claims process for you to help you receive 100% coverage from your insurance company.
As a local crew, we are proud to serve Chicago business and homeowners with fire damage restoration over the past years.
What is included:
- Victim assistance
- Temporary housing,
- Temporary heat, electricity and fencing
- Board up services
- Roof Tarping
- Public adjuster services
- Water removal, drying, and odor treatment
- Demolition and debris removal
- Structural Stabilization
- Cleanup services
- Structural repairs, including exterior, roofing, siding, gutters, windows and framing
- Complete property restoration (Drywall repair, painting, flooring, cabinet repair, bathroom vanities, window and door replacement)
- All electrical work, including wiring, and lights
- Plumbing and air conditioning repair
CONTACT OUR TEAM
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WE PROVIDE FAST AND
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WE CONFIRM YOUR
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RESTORATION PROCESS
MCKINLEY
WATER AND FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION IN CHICAGO
The most common causes of fire damages
Our team will handle any fire damage and will help you to restore your property to its previous state.
Equipment and Appliances
Any heat-generating item (heaters, toasters, stoves, coffee makers, clothes dryers) or item that gets hot after prolonged use (fans, computers, etc) has the potential to be a fire hazard. If cooking containers are left unattended, they can also trigger a fire that is otherwise avoidable.
Electrical Devices and Systems
Any device powered by electricity can potentially start a fire, and lighting equipment that overheats is the most common of these items. Inadequate electrical work in a house or business— incorrect grounding, loose wires, improperly connected circuits — is also an often unrecognized threat to homeowners.
Gas and Chemicals
Sources of propane gas and natural gas can easily trigger house fires. An accidental spark mixed with a minor leak can cause a combustible issue. Inadequately mixed household chemicals may also cause combustion, making it crucial to execute such activities outdoors.
Chimneys
Chimneys may trigger fires if soot is not properly cleaned or disposed of. Regular chimney maintenance may be scheduled in order to help to avoid this risk.
Although candles are a major trigger of dangerous fires throughout the winter holiday season, Christmas tree lights and various lighted decorations are also triggers. If live trees do not receive proper watering, they may dry out and become an easy target for hot lights to incinerate.
Smoking
House fires are often caused by negligence from smokers. In some circumstances, people fall asleep smoking and their couch, chari, or bed may catch fire in the process, quickly resulting in death. Disposing of ashes from ashtrays while they are still hot can ignite fires in wastebaskets as well.
Lightning
During summer months, early evening or afternoon lightning storms are in peak season and may cause fires. Homes near forests or other areas with many trees are especially vulnerable to strikes of lightning that may ignite the surrounding landscape.
Fireplace outside / BBQ Grill
Summertime increases this risk with the amount of time spent outdoors. Proximity to combustible items such as dry grass or even a grass leak can cause a barbecue grill to have an uncontrollable flame. The likelihood of such issues occurring can be reduced by placing the grill on tile, cement, stone or another fireproof base.
Natural Disasters
Varied natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, storm surges, and electrical shorts may cause any of the above issues as well as various others that lead to devastating fire. One must be on alert during such situations in order to attempt damage reduction.
OUR LATEST FIRE AND WATER REMOVAL PROJECTS
LOOK OVER OUR FINANCING PROGRAM!
Here at McKinley Fire Restoration, we make it as simple as we can to finance any fire restoration services through our ENHANCIFY Financing Program. The application process is simple and may be completed online by filling in your merchant number and plan number. You are able to check your application’s status online as well. Take advantage of our ENHANCIFY Financing Program from the safety and comfort of your own house. Applying is easy and it requires no paperwork, and our team is always eager to help.
Why select our crew for fire damage restoration in Chicago?
Chicago has numerous fire and smoke restoration companies from which to choose. But, when you rely on McKinley with commercial and residential fire and smoke restoration, not only will you obtain professional services, you will also receive respect, empathy, and family treatment. As a locally owned business that is insured, licensed, and bonded we offer our customers:
- Outstanding Customer Service
- Technicians Available 24/7
- Complimentary Estimates
- Bonded, Certified and Insured
- The highest quality equipment
- Trained and Certified Employees
- Instant Responses
- Public Adjuster's services
- Full, complete restoration
FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION PROCESS
The fire restoration process may involve many things depending on the type of damage. Take a look at what we offer and how these services are accomplished in McKinley Co.
1. Contact us We respond within 15 minutes to all calls and inquiries We are ready and waiting for your call. As soon as you contact us, one of our team members will ask a variety of questions about your fire damage restoration needs in order to comprehend your specific case and assist you accordingly.
2. Smoke and Fire Damage Assessment - On-site InspectionOur qualified specialists will visit your site in order to evaluate your specific situation and develop a plan of action for your smoke and fire restoration services. We will coordinate with your insurance company and fire officials to ensure the quickest and best attention possible.
3. Board-up service and Roof TarpFire damage commonly compromises walls, roofs, doors, and windows. In order to protect your property, our crew provides service to board up any of these elements and tarp them if necessary. We also provide services for the removal of debris, emergency power supplies, and temporary structural support.
4. Water Removal and DryingIn the presence of water damage, we can provide fire and water restoration services that include water removal. Our industrial dehumidifiers can assist in the completion of the drying process.
5. Smoke and Soot Removal from all surfacesOur innovative techniques and equipment allow us to remove any soot or smoke from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.
6. Cleaning and Sanitizing of all rooms and spacesOnce the major fire and smoke damage restoration services have been performed, we can provide deep cleaning and sanitizing services. We can additionally assist with inventories of damaged items and the accompanying insurance claims process.
7. Necessary Repairs and ConstructionOnce all of the smoke and fire restoration services and cleaning and sanitizing are complete, McKinley Fire Damage Restoration in Chicago can handle any repairs and construction projects necessary to return your property to its former state. From major renovations to minor fixes, our qualified crew can handle it all.
8. Renovating Interior and Exterior Spaces of your home / businessPerhaps you would like to take advantage of this devastation to remodel certain spaces in the interior or exterior of your business or home. We can take care of complete renovations or minor repairs. Tell us what your wishes are and we will make them come true.
What to do after a fire is extinguished:
Limit Movement Inside Affected Area You will want to prevent cross contamination, by limiting the movement in and around the fire affected area. Soot particles can easily move through the home when there is too much movement in the affected area. These particles can quickly become embedded in upholstery and carpets. This will prolong cleanup efforts and make it even harder to get rid of odors.
Cover up High Traffic Areas Fire affected areas can be located where limiting movement can be challenging. In this case cover up the vulnerable areas as best as you can to allow some movement. Place towels, rugs or old linens over the floor, carpets and upholstery. This will ensure that the areas underneath the coverings are temporarily protected from further damage.
Fridge and Freezer Care If your electricity is off and will likely remain off for an extended period, empty your fridge and freezer and prop the doors open. It is important that your fridge/freezer is allowed to air out, to prevent nasty smells from setting in and for mold to grow.
Cleaning of House Plants Check if your house plants have been affected by the fire. If you notice that the leaves are covered in fire residue, they will need to be cleaned to once again “breathe” properly. Gently wipe the leaves clean with a soft, clean and damp cloth. Check the leaves after they have dried and if necessary, clean them a second time.
Changing HVAC Filter One of your post-fire priorities will no doubt be to clean the air of smoke and other impurities. Change your HVAC filter as soon as possible to assist you with this process. Depending on the size of the fire you experienced, it may take a while for the air to be completely clear and refreshed. We recommend that you change your HVAC filter regularly, during this period.
Always contact the correct authorities after a house fire Depending on the severity of the fire, you need to ensure that your house is safe to enter. Structural and electrical safety needs to be determined before you can start planning the cleanup process.
What NOT to do after a fire is extinguished:
Do NOT Wash Walls or Carpets Wait before washing your walls, carpets, upholstery or other painted surfaces. Using incorrect cleaning materials or detergents can lead to more damage or in some cases it can lead to irreversible damage. First contact your local SERVPRO to discuss the details of the fire and get sound advice on your next step in the cleanup process. The exact cause of the fire will have an influence on how you should go about restoring your home post-fire.
Do NOT Clean Electrical Appliances It is very important that you first contact an authorized repair service before you attempt to clean electrical appliances, computers, or other digital equipment. This is especially important if any of these appliances were close to the fire, heat or water. By attempting to clean these items before contacting a relevant repair authority, you may cause further damage.
Do NOT Eat Food Affected by the Fire Do not take any chances with your health and avoid consuming food or drink that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water. It is not worth the risk and can cause health problems. Rather get rid of any fresh, canned or packaged food and beverages that could have been adversely affected by the fire.
Do NOT Turn On Lights or Wall/ Ceiling Fixtures The fire could have caused electrical damage in the house. Switching on lights or other wall or ceiling fixtures, may cause further damage to your electrical systems or even be the cause of a new fire. Do not put your home at further risk and rather wait to receive the all-clear from an inspector or electrician.
Do NOT Clean Your Clothes Normally Your clothes should not be sent to an ordinary dry cleaner, after a fire. If clothes are not treated properly with special care, the odor may set. The best care for your clothes after a fire, is to hand wash them. Alternatively, check with local laundry specialists if they have experience with removing fire smells and residue.
Do NOT Touch Items Covered in Soot Avoid touching soot covered items with your bare hands. Oils from your skin can mix with the soot and cause permanent stains. Wear gloves when you need to touch items or surfaces covered in soot.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY ABOUT US?
MCKINLEY FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION SERVICES IN CHICAGO
McKinley provided us with outstanding fire damage restoration during a very difficult moment in our lives. Not only did they return our Chicago home to normal, they were caring and friendly throughout the process.
McKinly answered our call immediately and got started with fire restoration immediately. They are familiar with the process and worked quickly and expertly. We appreciated their sense of urgency.
A kitchen fire left us with a desperate need for smoke damage restoration. They assessed our home and advised us about the process. We were back to new in no time and highly recommend them!
We had a major fire in our Chicago living room that required fire and water restoration services. McKinley answered our call quickly and took care of it for us without any issues. They were friendly and professional.
We were so impressed with McKinley’s fire damage restoration service after a fire in our Chicago home. They worked quickly and were empathetic. Our house is now better than it was before the fire.
McKinley was the best of all the fire restoration companies we checked out. They were communicative and professional. They quickly took care of all of our fire damage restoration in Chicago.
When our Chicago kitchen burned down, McKinley answered us long before any others. Their fire restoration services are high quality and they are friendly to boot.
We were confused about the process of Chicago smoke damage insurance claims. Thankfully, McKinley is familiar with the process and took care of it all for us. They were experienced and professional.
We had a chimney fire at our Chicago home and the smoke caused extensive damage. McKinley helped us with our smoke damage claims and our insurance company covered it all for us.
McKinley’s fire claims adjuster was fantastic. Not only did he give us good advice regarding our process, our insurance company covered 100% of our claim for our Chicago home.
Each case of fire damage is different from the next and requires a specific solution. However, the overall process does not change. Each fire damaged-home must go through numerous processes in order to finish fire damage restoration Chicago residents prefer. Smoke and fire damage is a complex issue that needs a trained, certified professional. Our experts in Chicago can take care of your whole process including on-site evaluation, public adjusting services, fire restoration and renovation. You may rely on our qualified team 24 hours per day, seven days per week, all year long in order to assess the fire damage immediately and minimize any damage to your property.
