Fire Damage Restoration in Raleigh, NC

Fire damage restoration is the process of making a property safe after a fire, cleaning smoke and soot, removing odors, drying the water used to put the fire out, and rebuilding what burned. Even a small kitchen fire can leave soot on every wall and smoke odor in the whole house, and the water from fire hoses often does as much damage as the flames.

Once the fire trucks leave, most people don’t know where to start. We take that off your plate. Our crew talks you through each step, tells you what to expect and keeps you updated until the job is done.

What to Do After a House Fire

1. Wait for clearance. Don’t go back inside until the fire department says it is safe.
2. Call your insurance company to start the claim.
3. Call a fire restoration company to secure the property and start cleanup. Call us at (984) 205-1439.
4. Document the damage with photos and video before anything is moved or thrown out.
5. Don’t wipe soot yourself. Wiping smears soot into paint and fabric and can make it permanent.
6. Don’t turn on the HVAC system until it has been checked, or it can spread soot through the house.

1. Safety Check and Assessment

When we arrive, we check whether the structure is sound and look for hazards like exposed wiring. If it isn’t safe to stay in the house, we’ll tell you right away so you can make other plans. Then we assess the fire, smoke, soot and water damage and put together a plan.

2. Board-Up and Roof Tarping

Broken windows, doors and holes in the roof are covered with boards and tarps to keep out rain, animals and intruders while the work is done.

3. Water Removal and Drying

Firefighting leaves a lot of water behind. We extract it and dry the structure with dehumidifiers and air movers to prevent mold growth and further damage.

4. Debris Removal and Tear-Out

Burned materials and contents that can’t be saved are removed. We keep notes and photos to support your insurance claim.

5. Smoke and Soot Cleaning

Smoke residue is different depending on what burned. Dry soot from a fast, hot fire cleans differently than the greasy, smeary residue from a smoldering fire or a kitchen fire. We match the cleaning method to the residue and clean walls, ceilings, floors, cabinets and fixtures.

6. Odor Removal

Smoke odor gets into drywall, insulation, carpet and HVAC ducts. After cleaning, we use air scrubbers and deodorization methods to remove the odor rather than cover it up.

7. Repairs and Reconstruction

Finally, we rebuild: framing, drywall, insulation, flooring, cabinets and paint. Our reconstruction services take the property back to its pre-loss condition.

Fire and Water Damage Together

Almost every fire becomes a water damage job too. Water from hoses and sprinklers soaks drywall, insulation and floors and can spread to rooms the fire never reached. Because we are a water damage restoration company as well, we handle both at the same time instead of bringing in a second crew.

Smoke Damage Cleanup

Smoke travels well beyond the room where the fire started. It leaves a film on walls and ceilings, discolors paint, tarnishes metal and settles inside closets and cabinets. The sooner smoke residue is cleaned, the more can be saved. Acidic soot keeps etching surfaces the longer it sits.

Kitchen Fire Cleanup

Kitchen fires are the most common house fires. They are often small, but the greasy smoke they produce spreads through the house and sticks to cabinets, ceilings and range hoods. Cleaning greasy residue takes different products than dry soot, and cabinets and appliances near the stove may need to be replaced. We clean what can be saved and rebuild what can’t.

Contents Cleaning and Pack-Out

When a lot of the house needs work, we can pack out your belongings, clean them off site and store them until the rebuild is finished. Everything is inventoried and photographed, which also helps with the insurance claim.

Why Fast Cleanup Matters

Soot and smoke residue keep causing damage after the fire is out. Within hours, residue can start to discolor plastics and grout. Over the next days it can stain paint, tarnish metal and etch glass, and smoke odor sets deeper into materials. Starting cleanup quickly means more can be cleaned instead of replaced.

Types of Fire Damage We Handle

• kitchen and grease fires
• electrical fires
• dryer vent fires
• fireplace and chimney fires
• garage fires
• smoke damage from a nearby fire
• puff-back from a furnace or oil burner
• fire damage in commercial buildings