24/7 Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Services

Why do rooms far from the fire smell like smoke?

Smoke travels well past the flames. It drifts down hallways and through open doorways, then settles into walls, ceilings, and fabrics, so a bedroom at the other end of the house can hold soot and odor even though nothing in it burned. That’s why our crews clean every room the smoke reached, not just the one where the fire started.

How soon should soot be cleaned up after a fire?

Soot should be cleaned up as soon as possible, because it comes off most easily in the days right after a fire. It’s oily, so it smears when it’s touched, and smoke residue can start to etch brass and copper fixtures within about a day. When you call us soon after the fire, our crew can start on the soot before it has time to set in.

Do smoke-stained walls and ceilings have to be replaced?

Many don’t. Drywall the flames reached directly is usually replaced, because heat breaks down the gypsum inside it, but walls and ceilings in rooms that only got smoke can often be cleaned and repainted once they’re fully dry. Smoke-stained wallpaper is the exception, since it usually can’t be restored. We clean the walls and ceilings worth keeping and replace the rest when we rebuild.

Why is insulation removed after a house fire?

Insulation holds onto smoke odor, and it can’t be washed the way a wall can. Attic and wall insulation often keeps smelling of smoke after the rest of the house has been cleaned, and insulation that got soaked while the fire was being put out usually has to be replaced too, since it doesn’t dry out well. We remove the insulation that smoke or water damaged, and new insulation goes in during the rebuild.

Should I throw out belongings that smell like smoke?

Many of them can be saved, so it’s worth having them looked at first. Dishes, glassware, and metal items usually clean up well, and fabrics often come back after deodorizing and more than one cleaning. Feather pillows and foam cushions are harder to save, because they rarely lose the smell. Set aside anything you’re unsure about, and our contents team will check if it can be cleaned.

Does a small kitchen fire need professional cleanup?

It often does, even when the flames stayed on the stove. Smoke from burned food, grease, or plastic can leave a sticky film on cabinets, walls, and ceilings, and the right way to clean it and treat the odor depends on what burned. We clean the film from the kitchen and the rooms around it, then deodorize them.

Is fire and smoke damage restoration covered by your warranty?

Yes. Fire and smoke damage restoration is covered by the same 2-year warranty that comes with every project we complete. If you have questions about it, your project manager can go over it with you before the work starts.