Inside the Fire Damage Cleanup Process

A house fire leaves three problems behind: structural damage from flames and water, soot residues on nearly every surface, and odors that soak into porous materials. Cleanup happens in a specific order.

Emergency board-up and tarping

Before anything else, crews secure the property. Broken windows are boarded up and damaged roofs are tarped to keep weather out.

Water extraction

Fire suppression uses a lot of water. Standing water gets extracted, structural materials are dried, and moisture readings are logged daily.

Soot removal

Soot is acidic and will etch metals and glass within days. Crews clean surfaces with the correct sponges and solvents, then HEPA-vacuum contents and structural materials.

Odor control

Air scrubbers with activated carbon and HEPA filters run continuously. Thermal fogging and hydroxyl generators break down odor molecules that soaked into drywall and framing.

Contents cleaning

Salvageable belongings are packed out to a facility for ultrasonic cleaning, ozone treatment or textile restoration.

Reconstruction

Once mitigation is complete and moisture is verified normal, reconstruction crews replace framing, drywall, flooring and finishes. Good contractors carry mitigation and reconstruction under one roof so nothing falls between two companies.