Water from firefighting
Hoses and sprinklers can put a large volume of water into a home. That water needs extraction and drying just like any other water loss, alongside the fire cleanup.
Soot and smoke residue
Smoke travels well beyond the burned area through HVAC systems and wall cavities. Residue can be dry and powdery or oily and smeary depending on what burned. Each type needs a different cleaning method, which is why contractors test surfaces before cleaning.
Odor removal
Smoke odor sits in porous materials. Contractors may use cleaning, sealing, thermal fogging, ozone or hydroxyl generators depending on the materials and how occupied the home is.
Board-up and securing the site
After a fire, openings in roofs, windows and doors may need temporary covering to keep weather out. Ask about this on the call.
Before you go back inside
Only enter when the fire department says it is safe. Do not turn on utilities that were shut off, and do not wipe soot off walls, which can smear it deeper into surfaces.
Questions
Does fire restoration include rebuilding?
This service covers cleanup of fire, smoke and water damage. Reconstruction is a separate trade.
Does Water Damage Restore respond to fires?
No. Water Damage Restore does not perform the work. The call connects you with an independent fire restoration contractor.