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Hard materials like glass, metal, and hardwood floors, washable fabrics, and undamaged electrical appliances can often be salvaged after a fire, although it depends on the extent of the damage. For washable fabrics, make sure to use a phosphate mix during the washing process to extract the smoke smell. There are a few things you should throw away after a fire, like canned foods and cosmetics, even if they don’t look like they’re damaged.

The timeline for fire damage restoration varies significantly, from a day or two to over a year, depending on the extent of the damage. For minor incidents like a small cooking fire, cleaning up soot and removing smoke odors may only take a day or two. Repairing minor damage might take about one to two weeks. However, a major fire requiring structural repairs, full property renovation, and replacement of materials can take anywhere from six to 12 months to over a year. This longer timeline often includes waiting for insurance approvals and contractor scheduling. It's best to consult with your insurance provider and restoration team to get an accurate timeline for your specific situation.

Pricing a fire-damaged house is tricky, and it’s best to involve some professionals. First, get a comprehensive repair estimate from a fire damage restoration expert. Next, have a real estate agent get you an as-repaired value for the home, which represents what the house would be worth if fully repaired. Subtract the repair estimate from the as-repaired value to get the as-is value.

Call 911 immediately. If you have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket near the laundry room, you can attempt to extinguish the fire, but don’t open or touch the dryer. If you can’t put the fire out, evacuate yourself, your family, and your pets from the house, closing the laundry room door behind you. Turn off the electricity to your home via the outside fuse box, then wait for the fire department. After a dryer fire, have your home’s electrical system inspected to make sure there isn’t any damage.