Fire and smoke damage restoration

What this service covers

A fire affects a building in several ways. Flames and heat cause structural damage, smoke and soot travel to rooms far from the fire, and the water used to put it out soaks what the flames missed. Fire and smoke restoration brings these together: securing the property, removing debris and residue, cleaning, deodorizing, drying and rebuilding.

What soot and smoke do

Soot is acidic and can etch metal, discolor surfaces and stain fabrics when left alone. Smoke odor settles into drywall, insulation, carpet and upholstery, and it can linger long after the visible mess is gone. Different fuels create different residue, so the cleaning approach changes based on what burned and how.

If your home has had a fire

• Do not go back in until the fire department says it is safe.
• Do not run the heating and cooling system, which can pull soot through the ductwork.
• Do not wipe soot-covered surfaces, and do not use a household vacuum on soot.
• Avoid eating food or using items that were exposed to heat, smoke or fire-fighting water.
• Do not turn on electronics or appliances that were exposed to heat or water until they are checked.
• If the building is open to the weather, arrange temporary board-up, which we also provide as emergency board-up.
• Photograph the damage and make a list of what was affected.

How we handle fire damage

We use the general process and adapt it to the fire. After a first call and inspection, we secure the structure. That may include board-up and tarping, and removing standing water.

Cleaning is done in stages. Loose debris and residue come out first. Then walls, ceilings and surfaces are cleaned using methods that match the type of soot. Contents are inventoried and sorted, and those worth saving can move to our contents cleaning work. Odor control follows, using industry-standard containment and air filtration where the odor source is addressed instead of covered up. If structural materials are too far gone, they are removed and replaced as part of reconstruction.

Types of smoke residue

Not all smoke is the same, and the type affects how it is cleaned. Hot-burning fires on wood and paper tend to leave dry, powdery soot that is lighter and spreads widely. Slow, smoldering fires and burned plastics or rubber can leave a sticky, smeary residue that is harder to remove and has a stronger odor. Kitchen fires on grease leave a film that can discolor surfaces and travel through the house.

Because of these differences, a technician decides on the cleaning method for each surface and area. Using the wrong approach, such as a wet sponge on dry soot, can make the stain permanent.

Smoke can reach rooms far from the fire

Heat pushes smoke through wall cavities, vents and attic spaces, so rooms that never saw a flame can still need cleaning. When you walk through with us, we will point out where smoke traveled and why. Ductwork, insulation and closets are common places for odor to hide.

Dealing with the water as well

Fire hoses and sprinklers can release a lot of water. If drying is delayed, the building may develop mold and warped materials on top of the fire damage. We can handle both the water and the soot, so one does not get overlooked while the other is addressed.

Insurance

Fire claims often involve many moving parts, including the structure, contents and temporary living expenses. We can document the damage thoroughly, provide detail on the work needed and work with your insurance company, including billing the insurer directly. Your policy determines coverage. See the insurance page.

Service area

We respond to fire losses in St. Charles County and St. Louis County, including St. Peters, O’Fallon and St. Charles. The full list is on the areas page.

After a fire, call us. Our line is open 24/7 for emergencies.