Salvaging items that are worth saving is a major component of disaster recovery. Unfortunately, it happens to be a task that’s easier said than done. If you recently had a house fire and you're not sure how to get started sorting through your belongings, try dividing the process into the following stages. 

Taking Precautions

Once you receive notice that it’s safe to return to the scene, take steps to protect both yourself and the items you wish to salvage. For example, wear gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, and pants to protect your hands, arms, and legs from any irritants. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may be wise to wear a mask to protect your lungs from smoke and mold. To protect the items you want to save, handle them with care. If they're still wet from the fire hoses, they may be especially fragile.

Sorting Everything 

Sorting through everything you own may feel overwhelming, but if you take it room by room, you'll be done quickly. When trying to decide what to save and what to discard, keep in mind that salvageable items are those you can essentially make new again. In other words, they can be cleaned, sanitized, and dried. 

Unrecoverable items, on the other hand, are those that were permanently destroyed. Examples include items that were contaminated with sewage, fuel, toxic chemicals, or fiberglass. Unfortunately, stained and shrunken textiles cannot generally be fixed either. 

Cleaning What You Can  

Disaster recovery experts can help you disinfect and dry anything that’s deemed salvageable. Generally speaking, they rely on cleaning agents like bleach to eliminate contaminants. For materials that can't be bleached, like colored textiles, you can try using detergent, special stain removers, and hot water. As for salvaging dry-clean only items, your restoration team can refer you to various textile experts. 

For help with your disaster recovery efforts following a house fire, turn to Solid Management Disaster & Restoration Services Inc. Based in Pagosa Springs, CO, this full-service restoration contractor specializes in mold remediation, smoke and odor removal, demolition, and remodeling. Because a catastrophe can strike at any time, their team is available 24/7 to take your call. To learn more about their disaster recovery services, reach out online or dial (970) 946-4561.