Do not re-enter the property until fire officials have declared it safe. Once cleared, call Flood Department at (301) 829-2600 for 24/7 emergency response. Do not attempt to clean soot yourself — improper cleaning can permanently set stains and push residue deeper into surfaces. Avoid turning on HVAC systems, which can spread soot throughout the home.

In most cases, yes. Standard homeowner’s insurance policies cover fire damage including smoke and soot cleanup, temporary housing, and structural repairs. Flood Department bills your insurance directly and provides Xactimate-aligned documentation to support your claim from start to finish.

Timeline varies depending on severity. Minor smoke and soot cleanup for a single room may take 3 to 5 days. Full restoration of a home with significant structural fire damage can take 4 to 12 weeks. We provide a detailed scope and timeline after the initial assessment.

Many smoke-damaged items including furniture, clothing, electronics, artwork, and documents can be successfully restored using professional cleaning techniques. Our contents restoration team packs out salvageable items, cleans them at our facility using ultrasonic cleaning, ozone treatment, and specialty methods, and returns them once your home is restored.

Whether you can remain in the home depends on structural integrity, utilities, and air quality. In many cases of moderate to severe fire or smoke damage, temporary relocation is recommended — and your insurance policy will typically cover additional living expenses while restoration is underway.

Not when professionally remediated. Flood Department uses thermal fogging, hydroxyl generation, and ozone treatment to neutralize smoke odor at the molecular level. Simply airing out the home or painting over surfaces will not eliminate embedded odor — professional treatment is required to prevent the smell from returning, especially during humid weather.