Why board-up comes first after a fire
Once the fire is out, the building is often left with broken windows, damaged doors and openings in the roof. Each opening lets in rain, wind and people. Water through an open roof soaks insulation and drywall that the fire never reached. An empty building with broken glass is an easy target for theft. Securing it is the first step of our fire damage restoration process, before any cleanup starts.
What our board-up and tarping includes
- Windows and glass doors. Broken or missing glass is covered so the opening is closed to weather and entry.
- Entry doors. Doors that were forced or burned are secured so the building can be locked up.
- Roof openings. Holes in the roof are tarped to keep rain out of the attic and the rooms below.
- Hazard check. We look for structural and electrical risks before and while we work.
- Photos and records. Every opening is photographed before and after, with a list of the work done.
- Water from firefighting. If hoses or sprinklers left standing water, we can start extraction and drying through our water damage restoration team.
Rain, wind and security in Puget Sound
Seattle weather makes an open building a bigger problem. Heavy rain events like the ones covered in our atmospheric river flooding guide can push water through a tarp-less roof opening in hours, turning a fire job into a fire and water job and raising the risk of mold. Wind spreads soot and ash through broken windows. And a damaged home or storefront left open overnight invites trespassers. For businesses, see our article on protecting your business after fire damage.
Board-up and your insurance claim
We work with most insurance companies, but what your policy covers depends on your policy. Washington’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner says homeowners have a duty to protect their property from further damage, which may include emergency or temporary repairs, and recommends discussing the process with your insurer. It also advises:
- Keep and organize your receipts.
- Don’t make permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the damage.
- Don’t throw out damaged items before the inspection.
Our before-and-after photos and itemized notes are made to fit that process.
What to do right now
- Stay out until the fire department says the building is safe.
- Call your insurance company to open a claim and ask about temporary housing.
- Take photos and video of the outside and every room you can safely reach.
- Remove valuables only if it is safe and the fire department allows it.
- Call us to secure the openings, then plan smoke and soot cleanup and smoke odor removal.
We board up homes and businesses in Tacoma, Federal Way, Burien, Seattle and across King and Pierce County. Call (206) 203-6155 24/7 for emergency board-up and tarping.
