Fire and smoke damage
Fire & Smoke Damage in Columbus, OH
After a kitchen fire, a furnace puff-back or a larger fire, there is soot, smoke odor and usually water from the fire hose. Call and you are connected with an independent fire restoration contractor in Columbus.
Fire damage is three problems at once
The fire itself burns and chars, but smoke and soot travel through the whole house, into closets, ductwork and fabrics, and the water used to put the fire out soaks floors and walls. Restoration covers all three: securing the house, removing debris, drying out the water, cleaning soot off every surface it reached and treating the odor.
Soot is acidic and can etch surfaces and stain if it sits, and wiping it with the wrong product can smear it deeper. Fire restoration contractors use specific cleaning methods for different kinds of soot and materials, and equipment such as air scrubbers and deodorization to deal with the smell.
After the fire department leaves
Wait to go in
Only enter when the fire department says the house is safe.
Secure the house
Broken windows, doors and roof openings need boarding up or tarping. Ask the contractor about board-up.
Don't run the HVAC
Running the furnace or air conditioning can spread soot through the ducts. Leave it off until it is checked.
Leave the soot
Don't wipe walls or upholstery yourself; it can push soot into the surface.
Food and medicine
Throw away food, drinks and medicines exposed to heat, smoke or firefighting water.
The fire report
You may need the fire department's report later. Ask how to request it.
In Columbus
After a fire in Columbus
If you smell gas, the City of Columbus advises leaving straight away without touching switches, phones or electrical fixtures, leaving the doors open and calling the fire department and gas company from a safe place.
Repairs after a fire often need permits in Columbus: drywall replacement over 32 square feet needs a permit and plan review, and work such as electrical changes or replacing a furnace needs a permit (typical residential projects). On the insurance side, the Ohio Department of Insurance warns homeowners not to give a contractor power of attorney or let them negotiate or settle the claim (severe weather toolkit). Only licensed public adjusters, attorneys and the broker of record can represent you in a claim (ODI guide).
How it works
From the call to a dry house
You call
Tell the person who answers what happened, where the water or smoke came from and your ZIP code.
You're connected
The call goes to an independent restoration contractor that serves your part of Columbus.
They assess
The contractor inspects, measures moisture, explains what needs removing and gives you their price.
You decide
Hire them or not. There is no obligation, and the agreement is between you and the contractor.
Questions
Fire & Smoke Damage: common questions
Can smoke smell really be removed?
Usually, yes, but it takes more than air fresheners: soot is cleaned off surfaces, contents are cleaned or removed, and the air and structure are deodorized. Lingering odor often means soot is still somewhere, such as in the ductwork.
Do I need water damage cleanup after a fire?
Almost always. Firefighting uses a lot of water, and it needs extracting and drying like any other water damage, or it leads to mold.
What about my belongings?
Many contents can be cleaned. Fire restoration companies often pack out belongings to clean them off-site, and list what can't be saved. Ask how they handle contents.
Other services
Other kinds of damage
- Water Damage RestorationLeaks, overflows and failed appliances: water out, structure dried, damaged materials replaced.
- Flooded Basement CleanupStorm water, a failed sump pump or seepage: water pumped out, contents moved, the basement dried.
- Frozen & Burst PipesA pipe split in the cold or a supply line let go: water off, extracted and the walls and floors dried.
- Sewage Backup CleanupSewage through a floor drain or toilet: contaminated materials removed, the area cleaned, sanitized and dried.
- Water Extraction & DryingPumps and extractors take up standing water; air movers and dehumidifiers dry the structure, checked daily.
- Storm & Roof Leak DamageRain through the roof, ice dams or wind-driven water: ceilings, walls and insulation dried or replaced.
- Mold RemediationMold after a leak or flood: the moisture source fixed, the area contained, moldy materials removed.
Water, smoke or mold?
Talk to a Columbus restoration contractor
One call connects you with an independent restoration contractor serving Columbus and nearby suburbs. Tell them what happened, where the water came from and how long it has been wet.
Water in the house? Talk to a restoration contractor now.
You are connected with an independent water damage restoration contractor that serves your part of central Ohio.
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