Fire can be devastating. It leaves behind a trail of destruction and heartbreak. When this good servant turns rogue, it destroys homes and turns people’s lives upside down. Rebuilding a house is expensive and time-consuming. And while you may have insurance coverage, it takes time, effort, and money to get back to where you were before.
If you are rebuilding a house after a fire, you can implement a few technologies to hasten the process and make it more efficient. These advancements can also protect your house from future fires. Here are the top technologies that have changed the game when it comes to rebuilding a home after a fire.
Fire Sprinkler
A fire sprinkler is the first technology to consider when rebuilding a house after a fire. This technology will be your first defense against any future fires. While the US has one of the world’s most active fire department organizations, fire engines still take time to get to your house to extinguish a fire.
Fire often starts suddenly and can spread rapidly in a matter of minutes. If you don’t have safety measures to prevent this spread, you could lose your house, including all your belongings, in no time. Even worse, if you and your loved ones are inside and asleep, you could be in grave danger. However, an installed fire sprinkler system can quickly detect, extinguish, or contain it before it engulfs the entire house. It also allows you time and space to evacuate safely.
The system saves lives and reduces fire-related damage. Besides, you would rather deal with water damage like a damaged cooker or cardboard than lose everything. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire sprinkles reduce property damage by roughly 70%.
However, you need professional input before installing a new fire sprinkler system. Usually, it’s much more than installing pipes and a sprinkler head. A technician must tailor it to your house’s specifics by performing fire sprinkler hydraulic calculations.
Water Remediation Technology
Before rebuilding a house after a fire, you must address the water damage caused by the firefighting efforts. The firefighters or even your sprinkler system uses water to extinguish the flames. Consequently, the same water that saves your property causes problems like soaking up the drywall, carpet, furniture, and electrical appliances. It also sets in mold growth, rusting metals, and rooting wood that often races against time to consume your house.
You don’t need to throw away your soggy furniture and appliances. Water remediation technology helps reverse or remedy this water damage and reduce losses. It involves removing standing water, drying damp areas, and salvaging wet material. The process also includes cleaning and sanitization to remove harmful bacteria from the surface of your items.
The water damage restorations involve specialized equipment such as suction pumps, water extractors, dehumidifiers, and air blowers. But you don’t have to buy all these machines. You can give a contract to a professional water remediation company.
Generally, according to Forbes estimates, a water damage restoration company will charge you anything between 1,300 and $5,200. However, the exact price will depend on the size of your home and the extent of the water damage. It might seem like much, but when faced with the alternative of losing everything, it’s a small price to pay.
Enzyme-Based Cleaners
When rebuilding a house after a fire, you will first face the issue of smoke & soot residue and a burnt odor. Fire leaves behind stubborn stains of smoke and soot on everything from walls, ceilings, clothes, and other surfaces. The smell is even worse and may linger inside your house for weeks if not months.
While you could wash your clothes or carpets, washing the soot and smoke off your walls and other surfaces is nearly impossible. Besides, using regular cleaning agents won’t do the trick. They may even damage the original surface further.
So, how do you clean up the smoke and soot mess? Fire damage companies utilize enzyme-based cleaning agents. This technology utilizes clever chemistry to clean fire residue effectively.
Enzyme-based cleaners contain enzymes that bond with protein smoke and break down the stains, leaving the surface looking new. At the same time, they digest the smoky odor molecules and neutralize them. What’s even better is that they are safe and eco-friendly.
Fire Resistant Roofing
The roof will always bear the brunt of fires. If a fire starts inside your house, it quickly spreads to the roof, and if not extinguished in time, it will engulf all of it. According to the National Association of Home Builders, more than 90% of residential buildings use wood for the roof structure. While it’s affordable and easy to install, it’s also highly flammable.
If you are rebuilding a house after a fire, it’s time to consider other options, like fire-resistant roofing materials. They can prevent the quick spread of fire and limit the damage. For instance, if the fire starts in the kitchen, the roof may restrict the fire from spreading from other rooms, giving you more time to extinguish it.
Generally, the fire resistance of a roof will depend on the entire roofing structure, from the deck and underlayment to the shingles. That means the roof incline, insulation used, and the membrane will affect how well your roof can withstand flames. However, you can use metal roof decks and materials such as fibertite, modified bitumen, and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO).
Realistically, no roofing material is entirely fire-resistant. Even metal roofs will burn and collapse if exposed to extreme heat for a long time. However, this fire-resistant roofing can slow down the spread and minimize damage. Remember, a new roofing installation, especially fire-resistant ones, requires professional consultation.
Synthetic Lawn Technology
If you live in the south or western side of the United States, you know how devastating wildfires are. They destroy everything on their way, including homes and natural vegetation. Most times, the destruction will leave the entire neighborhood looking like a war zone. After a fire destroys your house, there’s still some hope to rebuild and restore it to its former glory.
Consider synthetic lawn technology if you are rebuilding a house after a fire in these areas. Even if you water the lawn daily, the glass won’t grow back in a few days. Install synthetic lawn to bring back the beauty of green in your compound.
Synthetic lawns or artificial grass comes from advanced yarns that imitate natural grass. The beauty of it is that you can install it in a day and have your lawn looking green and lush. The synthetic lawn is UV resistant, which, unlike grass, won’t fade during the dry season. Additionally, it requires no watering or trimming.
The best part about artificial synthetic turf is that it’s flame-retardant. That means it won’t burn in the sense of a raging frame but can melt under high heat. Without a flame, it can stop and prevent the spread of fire to neighboring homes. This technology is especially beneficial if you live in an area prone to wildfires. Your artificial synthetic turf installer can advise you on the best type and size.
Fire-Resistant Insulation
As you work on rebuilding a house after a fire, you must consider installing fire-resistant insulation. Sometimes, fire spreads quickly due to combustible insulation material like cellulose. While manufacturers use fire retardants, the Consumer Product Safety Commission still considers it a fire hazard.
Cellulose contains materials like newspaper and cotton that catch fire and may continue to smolder even after the fire is extinguished. It might be the reason your home burned so quickly. Instead of replacing it with a similar material, consider fire-resistant insulation.
One example of fire-resistant insulation is spray foam insulation. It contains fire-retardant properties that slow or prevent the spread of fire. It even reduces smoke production when burning. The best part is that it has the highest R-value, providing better comfort.
Another alternative is fiberglass or glass wool insulation. The material is non-combustible, meaning it won’t add fuel to the fire. Both of these technologies reduce the strain on the heating and cooling system. As a result, you will need less frequent HVAC services.
Type A – External Basement Waterproofing
According to the Census Bureau, roughly 23% of owner-built homes in the USA have a basement. While concrete is fire-proof, a severe house fire with enough heat can damage and weaken the basement walls. You might see cracks in the walls that can later lead to leakage. If left unattended, water penetrates the concrete and creates a conducive mold growth environment.
Consider repairing and waterproofing your basement when rebuilding a house after a fire. Generally, there are several ways you can do it. However, the game-changing technology is Type A – External Waterproofing.
The method involves creating a barrier on the positive side of the structure. The barrier continuously goes around and provides a waterproofing layer. It protects the basement against groundwater ingress and rising dampness. It also prevents radon and aggressive chemicals such as sulfates with the water from attacking the concrete structure.
The most significant advantage of Type A – External Basement Waterproofing is that it’s highly durable and covers the entire basement. If applied professionally, you won’t have to deal with leakage or mold. You can also waterproof the basement door with a layer of a vycor product. This material is a flexible membrane that prevents water and moisture from seeping through the frame.
Construction Cost Calculator
Rebuilding a house after a fire is quite an undertaking and requires lots of money. According to Forbes estimates, restoring your home can cost as little as $1,200 for minor fires and up to $72,300 for extensive damage. The exact restoration price will depend on factors such as the extent of fire & fire damage, the size of your house, and your location.
It can be challenging to estimate your construction cost, especially if you’ve never faced a similar situation. Luckily, technology has made it much easier. Instead of vigorous and tiresome construction cost consulting from random professionals, you use a construction cost calculator to get a rough figure.
A construction cost calculator is a software application that helps you estimate the cost of reconstruction. This online tool uses statistical data on labor, material, and overhead costs to give you a rough estimate. Most of them only require you to input critical details like size, location, and extent of damage.
While a cost calculator won’t give you the actual price, it can help you budget and plan for your reconstruction. You can gauge different contractors’ offers and negotiate a better deal. It also enables you to estimate if your insurance coverage is enough before starting the rebuilding process.
Trenchless Water Line Repairs
Repairing your plumbing system and water line after a fire can be tedious. Traditionally, it involves extensive digging, trenching, and replacement of the affected pipes. Apart from prolonged repair times, it also causes significant disruption, like digging up your yard, garden, or concrete. While the method is effective, it also increases the labor and material costs.
It doesn’t have to be that way. With today’s technological advancement, you can opt for trenchless water line repairs when rebuilding a house after a fire. The process is less disruptive and allows repairs without extensive excavation.
Trenchless line repairs involve creating access points to the water line. It uses advanced technology like pipe bursting or CIPP (cured-in-place pipes) to replace or repair damaged sections. It is faster and more cost-effective since it reduces labor and material costs. According to Forbes, if your line is less than 25 feet, this method can cost you $1,125. It also minimizes any potential damage to your property, allowing you to retain the beauty of your yard and garden while still fixing your plumbing system.
Trenchless line repairs utilize advanced diagnostic tools such as ultrasonic leak detectors and high-resolution cameras to identify issues precisely. You can accurately locate where there is a problem, eliminating guesswork. As a result, you save time and resources.
Rebuilding a house after a fire is challenging. It costs money, time, and effort to get back to normalcy. But as much as it can be difficult, technology is here to make the process easier. In most cases, it even helps you mitigate future disasters.
