Fire and smoke
Fire and smoke damage
Flames end quickly. Soot, smell and the water used to put the fire out keep working on the house afterward.
Three kinds of damage at once
Fire damage proper is charred structure. Smoke damage is residue and odor that moves through air handlers and wall cavities. Water damage comes from the hoses.
A restoration contractor typically handles the water first, since wet materials ruin faster. Soot removal follows, along with odor treatment and a board-up if openings are left.
Do and don't
Wait for clearance
Do not enter until the fire department says the structure is safe.
Do not wipe soot
Wiping dry soot grinds it into paint and porous surfaces.
Turn off the air handler
Running it can pull smoke into ducts that were clean.
Photograph rooms before cleanup
Document damage for the insurer before anything moves.
Scope
Scope depends on what burned, how far smoke traveled and how much water was used. Electrical, structural and roofing repairs are separate trades that need their own permits and licensed firms.
Water is still moving. Make the call.
Dial the number and describe what happened. You are connected with an independent restoration contractor who serves your ZIP code.