In this guide, we’ll tackle what to do to address the damage after a kitchen fire.
It outlines a step-by-step approach to restoring your kitchen safely and efficiently.
Keep reading to learn the essential actions for a smooth restoration.
Step 1: Ensure Safety
Safety should always come first after a fire in a kitchen, even when things look okay.
There could still be hidden risks with minimal visible damage, such as compromised wiring, gas leaks, or weakened drywall.
So, wait for the fire department or other appropriate local officials to give the green light before you go back into that area. Also, make sure the utilities are shut off if you haven’t taken care of that yet.
When you do re-enter, gear up in gloves, a mask, and safety goggles to protect yourself from soot and harsh chemicals still in the air. Be extra careful around appliances, burned outlets, and slippery spots.
Step 2: Check and Document Damage
When you can safely go back into your kitchen, take a close look around to see exactly what the fire affected.
The most apparent damage — like burned cabinets, blackened walls, or heat-warped appliances — will stand out right away.
But don’t overlook hidden spots, either. Soot and heat may have spread inside drawers, behind removable panels, and within vents.
This thorough inspection is a key part of how to recover from a home kitchen fire. Taking clear photos and videos will support your insurance claim and provide a realistic picture of your potential fire damage restoration cost.
This documentation will also make cleaning up after a fire and restoration much easier.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Provider
Give your homeowner’s insurance provider a call as soon as possible to report the fire.
Share your documentation with them and maintain detailed records of all conversations, plus your expenses, such as emergency costs and temporary repairs.
Also, remember that most insurers have established procedures to guide homeowners on what to do after a home fire of any description. They may also have a list of recommended fire restoration companies.
Following their process and recommendations will give you your best chance of getting a full payout and avoiding delays as you prepare to repair fire damage from this incident.
Step 4: Clean Up and Sort Damaged Items
A good starting point for dealing with your house kitchen fire aftermath is to remove any pooled water. A wet vacuum makes this easier.
After that, set out fans or a dehumidifier to help dry things out and prevent mold.
Use a HEPA vacuum to remove loose soot and wipe hard surfaces with cleaning solutions.
Hire professionals to tackle heavy or embedded soot as well as debris (such as charred wood and damaged appliances).
Wondering what to throw away after a fire? Anything exposed to smoke, heat, or chemicals is safest to toss. That includes food, utensils, plastic items, or things that look scorched.
What can be salvaged after a fire usually includes non-porous items, such as stainless steel or glass if they’re undamaged and cleaned thoroughly.
Step 5: Fix Structural and Utility Damage
After cleanup, focus on your kitchen’s structure, wiring, and plumbing.
Even minor kitchen fire damage can compromise these systems, making this step just as important when deciding what to do after a small kitchen fire.
It’s a good idea to hire licensed professionals to assess the damage and handle repairs. Have an electrician inspect outlets, wiring, and fixtures. A plumber should check for leaks, cracks, or melted pipes.
This is also the time to repair water damage after a fire since water can soak into drywall, cabinets, and subflooring, causing hidden problems if not fully dried out.
Structural work may require repairing or replacing materials, such as drywall, beams, studs, or subfloors.
Step 6: Rebuild Your Kitchen
With foundational repairs complete, you can begin the next phase of home kitchen fire damage repair. That involves restoring your kitchen to its original — or an improved — state.
Either may include installing new countertops, cabinets, flooring, fixtures, and decorative molding. You may need to replace appliances and kitchenware, depending on the damage.
A coat of stain-blocking primer can cover smoke stains and eliminate odors on the ceiling and walls. Additionally, clean or replace HVAC filters and ducts for improved air quality.
The timeline for doing this work can vary, but contractors can give you a realistic estimate. They routinely advise on how long it takes to rebuild a house after a fire and can tailor that guidance to the scope of your kitchen restoration.
The Safest Solution After a House Fire
When a fire damages your home, and you lack the time or money to repair it, finding a fast — and most importantly — safe solution becomes the priority.
For many homeowners, that means selling directly to a company that purchases properties in any condition.
Let’s look at the benefits of going this route:
- You can sell your house exactly as it is and leave the rehab to the buyers.
- Professional house buyers offer a quick closing, so you can sell a fire-damaged house fast.
- Unlike typical buyers, they make a cash offer. This means they don’t require a mortgage to qualify for, which would be difficult considering the home’s disrepair.
- There’s no waiting around for inspections or appraisals that can slow things down.
- Because you sell directly, you avoid agent commissions.
- You can pocket the money you’d normally spend on closing costs. Cash buyers usually pay those.
To gain clarity on your options, we encourage you to get a cash offer on your home from several local companies. Each one has been vetted and approved through our platform.
You’ll then be able to compare a range of competitive proposals and select the offer that’s the best fit for you.
For a more complete view of your options, check out our guide on selling a fire-damaged house. It offers expert guidance on selling options, repair costs, property pricing, and legal aspects of selling a property after a fire.
