What this covers
After the fire is out, the damage keeps spreading through soot, smoke residue and the water used to put it out. Fire damage restoration secures the home, removes burned and water-damaged materials, cleans soot from every surface the smoke reached, treats the smell, and dries the structure, so the rebuild starts from a clean, sound shell.
When to call
- Any fire in the home, even a small one that was put out quickly.
- Soot, dark film or a smoke smell in rooms away from where the fire was.
- Charred framing, cabinets or finishes that need to come out.
What to expect
- Re-entry and securingThe fire department decides when the home can be entered. The company then boards up openings and covers roof damage.
- Remove and dryBurned materials come out. Water from firefighting is extracted and the structure is dried.
- Clean the smokeSoot and residue are cleaned from walls, ceilings, framing, ducts and contents with methods matched to the surface. Crews wear respirators and gloves.
- Odor and rebuildOdor is treated at the source, then the home is ready for reconstruction.
First, make it safe
Get a certified company
Tell us what happened and we will connect you with one certified restoration company for your ZIP code. Your details are shared only after you agree to that company by name.
Questions people ask
When can I go back in?
Only after the fire department or building official says the structure is safe. The safety steps for fire re-entry on this site describe what to watch for. Do not enter a fire-damaged home to retrieve items without that clearance.
Why clean rooms the fire never reached?
Smoke travels through the whole house and leaves an acidic residue that keeps damaging surfaces and holds the smell. Cleaning it everywhere it went is what stops that.
What can be saved?
Many hard items and some textiles can be cleaned; heavily charred or melted items usually cannot. The company sorts contents into clean, restore and discard and documents each group.
Related: Smoke damage cleanup · Odor removal · Contents pack-out and cleaning · All restoration and emergency services
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.