Fire Damage Restoration in Huntington Beach
After a fire, the damage you can see is only part of it. Soot, smoke odor and the water used to put the fire out keep spreading through the home. Here is what to do and what restoration should include.
Calls connect you with an independent local restoration contractor. How the referral works
- Smoke and soot cleanup
- Water from firefighting
- Board-up and roof tarping
Only go back inside when the fire department says it's safe. Keep the HVAC off, photograph everything and call your insurer. Fire restoration usually includes securing the house, drying water from firefighting, removing soot, deodorizing, cleaning or packing out belongings, and rebuilding what can't be restored.
Smoke and soot travel through air and ductwork, so rooms the fire never reached can still be damaged. Soot is acidic and can discolor surfaces over time, and the water from firefighting adds a full water damage job on top of the fire damage.
Starting quickly matters: drying the firefighting water within a day or two helps prevent mold, and early soot cleaning saves more surfaces and belongings.
Types of fire damage
Direct fire damage
Burned framing, drywall and contents that usually need to be removed.
Smoke and soot
Residue on walls, ceilings and belongings, even in rooms far from the fire. Soot is acidic and can stain if left.
Water from firefighting
Hoses and sprinklers soak floors, walls and insulation, adding a water damage job to the fire damage.
Odor
Smoke odor settles into carpet, upholstery, insulation and ductwork.
What to do after a fire
- Wait for clearance from the fire department before going back inside.
- Don't turn on electricity, gas or the HVAC until a qualified professional checks them. Running the HVAC can spread soot through the house.
- Wear gloves and a mask. Soot and ash irritate skin and lungs.
- Photograph everything before cleaning or throwing anything away.
- Call your insurer and ask about temporary housing if you can't stay home.
- Secure the home: board up openings and tarp the roof if needed.
What fire and smoke restoration includes
- Board-up and roof tarping to secure the house.
- Water removal and drying from firefighting water, with moisture readings.
- Soot removal from walls, ceilings and contents, using methods matched to the type of soot.
- Odor removal, which may include cleaning, sealing and deodorizing equipment.
- Contents cleaning or pack-out of belongings that can be saved.
- Demolition and rebuild of materials that can't be restored.
Before you sign anything
- Will you work directly with my insurance adjuster?
- What is in the written scope, and what is not?
- Do you handle pack-out and contents cleaning?
- Who does the rebuild, and are they licensed with the CSLB?
Call today, or can it wait?
Call today if
- Firefighters used water inside, so floors, walls and insulation are wet.
- Windows, doors or the roof are open and need boarding up or tarping.
- Soot is on walls, counters and fixtures.
- You need to get belongings out before they absorb more odor.
It can usually wait a day or two if
- It was a small, contained kitchen fire with light smoke on one wall and no firefighting water.
- Your adjuster is coming first and the house is secure and dry. Don't let it wait more than a few days.
Not sure which list you're on? Treat it as urgent. Waiting usually makes the damage worse.
Who pays for the cleanup?
- Homeowners insurance: fire is a covered peril on most policies, including structure, contents and additional living expenses.
- Renters: the landlord's policy covers the building. Renters insurance covers belongings and often temporary housing.
- Choosing the company: your insurer may suggest a contractor, but in most cases you can choose your own.
- Before you sign: read any work authorization carefully, especially who the insurer pays.
What to tell the contractor when you call
- When the fire happened and whether the fire department has cleared the house.
- Which rooms burned, which only have smoke, and whether water was used.
- Whether the house needs boarding up or roof tarping.
- Your ZIP code, claim number and adjuster's name if you have them.
Ask for a written scope of work before anything beyond emergency work starts.
Frequently asked questions
When can I go back inside after a fire?
Only when the fire department says it's safe. Structural damage, live wires and hidden hot spots are common after a fire, even a small one.
Why is there water damage after a fire?
Firefighting uses a lot of water, and it soaks floors, walls, insulation and the rooms below. That water needs extraction and drying like any other leak, on top of the smoke and soot cleanup.
Can smoke odor be removed?
Usually, but it takes more than air fresheners. Contractors clean soot from surfaces, remove materials that absorbed heavy smoke, clean or replace HVAC filters and ducts, and may use deodorizing equipment. Your insurer may want to approve the method.
Does homeowners insurance cover fire damage?
Fire is a covered peril on most homeowners policies. Ask about the structure, your contents and additional living expenses, such as a hotel and meals, while you can't live at home.
What is a board-up?
Covering broken windows, doors and roof openings with plywood or tarps after a fire. It protects the house from weather, theft and further damage, and most policies expect you to take that step.
Related help
Dealing with fire or smoke damage?
Wait for clearance, keep the HVAC off and photograph everything. Then call to be connected with an independent local contractor.