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Rebuilding After House Fire

LDunc's picture

Rebuilding After House Fire (post #207258)

LDunc on Wed, 12/26/2012 - 22:53
in

Hi, we had a house fire three weeks ago, and have been busy getting estimates, making our personal property list, and adjusting to hotel living.  The insurance adjuster said they will have to continue demolision of the house, down to the concrete slab and wall studs.  

My question is if the walls in certain rooms didn't suffer fire damage, but heavy smoke and water damage, should the studs be treated in any way prior to putting up the new drywall?  As far as I know, the walls in the 2 bedrooms didn't suffer actual fire damage, so the studs should not be charred; however, the entire attic went up in flames, so the entire house was heavily smoke damaged.

Thanks, Leslie

-A +A

It's faster and less (post #207258, reply #1 of 3)

by MarkH in reply to LDunc [original] on Thu, 12/27/2012 - 04:01

It's faster and less expensive sometimes to not save anything and just start anew.  Demolition will be very quick when everything goes away, and heavy equipment and operators are pretty expensive.  Also the rebuilding can be faster if existing problems are eliminated (removed) first.  There can be unknown problems such as rot, termites, non code compliant building methods in the existing walls.

Sorry you had a house fire, it's devasting.

Typically smoke or fire (post #207258, reply #2 of 3)

by florida in reply to LDunc [original] on Thu, 12/27/2012 - 05:19

Typically smoke or fire damaged houses are sprayed with a shellac based white paint thta seals in the smoke smells.

Florida Licensed Building Contractor, 40 years experience in commercial remodeling, new homes, home remodeling and repairs and all types building maintenance.

Yep, at the very least the (post #207258, reply #3 of 3)

by DanH in reply to LDunc [original] on Thu, 12/27/2012 - 06:58

Yep, at the very least the affected areas need to be sealed (by someone knowledgeable about smoke damage abatement) to prevent persistent odors (and possibly allergic reactions) later.

A specialist should be consulted (and insurance should pay for it).


Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed.  --Herman Melville