Firefighting water soaks drywall, subfloors, and insulation. We extract the standing water, set up dehumidifiers and air movers, and take moisture readings every day until the floors and framing test dry.
More about Water Damage Restoration
Available 24/7 · Atlanta and nearby areas
Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration in Atlanta, GA
A kitchen fire or an electrical fire can leave soot and smoke in every room. Our crew handles fire and smoke damage restoration in Atlanta, GA, from soot cleanup to repairs. Call any time, day or night.
Call (470) 659-828745minutes
IICRC Certified Firm#70120685
We work with all major insurance carriers
Fire damage help
Fire and smoke damage in Atlanta
Soot is acidic. Left on a surface, it keeps staining paint, yellowing grout, tarnishing metal, and over time etching glass. Surfaces that clean up well in the first few days can stain for good if the soot sits.
Smoke also travels farther than the flames. It drifts into closets, drawers, and the attic, and the heating and air system can carry it to rooms on the other side of the house. Some older intown homes were built without fire blocking inside the walls, so smoke can climb to a second floor that never saw a flame.
Then there’s the water. Putting out even a small house fire can take hundreds of gallons, and it soaks into drywall, subfloors, and insulation. Drywall and wood that dry within a day or two usually escape mold, so drying starts on the first visit.
Homeowners, property managers, and business owners across Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Douglas, Fayette, Rockdale, Henry, Gwinnett, and Paulding counties call us after fires all year round.
Call Now (470) 659-8287Fire damage restoration at a glance
What’s included
Board-up, water removal, soot and smoke cleaning, odor treatment, and the repairs.
Typical timeline
A few days for light smoke in a room or two. Several weeks or more when walls, cabinets, or floors need rebuilding.
How cost is set
How far the soot spread, what can be cleaned or has to be replaced, and how much water needs drying.
First visit
Call (470) 659-8287A free inspection and estimate before any work starts.
The first 24 hours
What to do after a fire in Atlanta
Atlanta Fire Rescue, or the department that responded, decides when it’s safe to go back in. After that, these steps protect your family, your belongings, and your claim.
Not sure what’s safe to touch? Call and walk through it with our crew.
Call (470) 659-8287What to do
Wait for the fire department
Fire can weaken floors and ceilings in ways you can’t see. Stay out until the fire department says it’s safe.
Photograph every room
Take photos and video of every room, closet, and the garage before anything is moved or thrown out.
Call your insurer the same day
Open a claim and write down the claim number and your adjuster’s name. Ask Atlanta Fire Rescue for the incident report too.
Keep every receipt
Hotel stays, meals, and supplies may be covered by your policy’s loss-of-use coverage.
Lock up the house
Lock the doors that still lock, and take medications, papers, and valuables with you if the fire department says it’s safe.
What not to do
Don’t wipe the soot
Water and household cleaners smear soot into paint and fabric and can set the stain for good.
Don’t run the HVAC
It can pull soot from one room and blow it through the whole house. Leave it off until the ducts are checked.
Don’t eat food that was near the fire
The USDA says to throw out food exposed to heat, smoke, or firefighting chemicals, including food in the fridge, since the door seal isn’t airtight.
Don’t switch on electronics or appliances
Heat, water, and soot can damage them inside. Have them checked first.
Don’t turn the gas or power back on yourself
Leave that to Georgia Power, Atlanta Gas Light or a licensed electrician.
Common fire damage
Types of fire and smoke damage we clean up in Atlanta
Each kind of fire leaves a different residue, and the residue decides how we clean it.
Kitchen and Grease Fires
Burned food leaves a thin, yellowish film that’s hard to see but holds a strong smell. It coats cabinets, walls, and the inside of drawers well past the stove, and it needs degreasing, not just wiping.
Electrical Fires
Old wiring, overloaded outlets, and extension cords can start fires inside walls and ceilings, where the damage stays hidden. Burning wire insulation leaves oily black soot that smears if it’s wiped. An electrician should check the wiring before the power goes back on.
Dryer and Laundry Room Fires
Lint builds up in the dryer vent until it catches. These fires often start in a closet or utility room, and the smoke works its way through the rest of the house from there.
Furnace Puffbacks
When a furnace doesn’t light cleanly, it can push a burst of soot through the ducts and out every vent. The whole house can end up coated even though nothing burned, so the ducts get cleaned along with the rooms.
Smoke From a Neighbor’s Unit
In condos, townhomes, and apartments, smoke from a fire next door gets in through shared walls, hallways, and vents. You may see no flames at all, just a gray film and a smell that won’t leave.
Water From Firefighting
Hoses and sprinklers leave wet drywall, soaked carpet, and water trapped in the subfloor. It has to dry alongside the soot cleanup, or mold can follow. More about water damage restoration
How we clean
How we get smoke and soot out of your home
Most smoke smell doesn’t come from the air. It comes from residue on and inside things: walls, cabinets, insulation, carpet pad, and ductwork. Spraying a deodorizer first only covers it for a while.
We test before we clean. Each surface gets a test spot first, so we use the method that lifts the soot without spreading it or damaging the finish.
Dry methods come first. HEPA vacuums and dry soot sponges lift loose soot, and wet cleaning comes after. Doing it the other way around pushes soot deeper into paint and grout.
Then we treat the smell where it lives. With the residue gone, we deodorize the materials that soaked up smoke, like framing, subfloor, and ductwork. Anything too saturated to clean, like insulation, comes out. Some odor treatments need the house empty of people, pets, and plants while they run, so we schedule them around you.
What the residue tells us
Dry soot
Usually fromFast, hot fires burning wood or paper
How it behavesPowdery. Usually vacuums and sponges off.
Oily smoke residue
Usually fromSlow, smoldering fires and burning plastic
How it behavesSticky and smears easily. Needs stronger cleaners.
Protein residue
Usually fromKitchen fires burning food
How it behavesA nearly invisible film with a strong smell. Yellows paint.
Puffback soot
Usually fromA furnace misfire
How it behavesFine, oily soot spread through every vent.
What can be saved
What can be cleaned and what gets replaced
It’s the first thing everyone asks. The answer depends on the material, how close it was to the fire, and how soon cleaning starts. Here’s a general guide. Your inspection gives you the real answer for your home.
Glass, tile, metal, and stone
Usually cleanedClean up well when the soot comes off within days. Left longer, acidic soot can etch glass and pit metal.
Painted walls and ceilings
Usually cleanedMost clean up. Heavy or older soot can leave a shadow that needs a sealing primer and fresh paint.
Drywall
Depends on heat and timingSmoke-stained drywall can often be cleaned and sealed. Charred or water-swollen drywall is cut out and replaced.
Wood cabinets and furniture
Depends on heat and timingSealed wood usually cleans. Scorched, blistered, or smoke-soaked wood may need refinishing or replacing.
Clothing, curtains, and bedding
Depends on heat and timingMany washable fabrics come back with the right cleaning. Burned or melted items don’t.
Upholstered furniture and rugs
Depends on heat and timingSmoke soaks deep into padding. Light smoke often cleans out. Heavy smoke or soaking water usually means replacing it.
Electronics and appliances
Depends on heat and timingSoot is corrosive inside electronics, so they need a professional check before they’re turned on, even if they look fine.
Photos and documents
Depends on heat and timingDon’t throw these out. Set them aside, dry and flat. Specialists can often save more than you’d expect.
Charred framing
Depends on heat and timingLightly charred studs can sometimes be cleaned and sealed against odor. Wood the fire weakened is replaced.
Insulation, mattresses, and carpet pad
Usually replacedThese soak up smoke and water and can’t be cleaned well enough to get the smell out.
Food and medicine
Usually replacedThrow out food exposed to heat or smoke, even canned goods that got hot. Ask a pharmacist before using medicine that was near the fire.
Packing out your belongings
If rooms need heavy cleaning or a rebuild, we can pack out your belongings as a separate service. Ask about it during your free inspection.
Items that can’t be saved go on a separate list with photos, so your adjuster can see why.
Help beyond the fire
Other restoration services we offer in Atlanta
Every job starts with a free inspection and estimate. Fire damage rarely comes alone, so the same team handles what comes with it.
Mold grows where there’s moisture, often in places you can’t see. We find the moisture source, contain the area, remove the mold, and dry the space out.
More about Mold Remediation
Storms and hail can crack your roof and let rain soak into the attic and ceilings. We dry the structure, remove damaged materials, and repair the ceilings and walls inside.
More about Storm Damage
When your business is closed, you’re losing money every day. We extract, dry, and clean on a plan built around reopening, and we document each step for your carrier.
More about Commercial Restoration
When you’re ready to rebuild, the same crew puts it back together, from drywall to cabinets to the final coat of paint, so there’s no second contractor to hire.
More about ReconstructionDealing with one of these?
Call (470) 659-8287Call and talk to our crew about what happened. The call is free, and so is the inspection.
Our process
What happens after you call
- 1
You call, we send a crew
Call (470) 659-8287 any time, day or night, including weekends and holidays. Tell us what happened and whether the fire department has cleared the house. We’ll send a crew right away.
- 2
We secure the property
We board up broken windows and doors and tarp openings in the roof, so rain and intruders stay out while the work is planned.
- 3
We arrive and inspect
The 24 Hour Flood Pros team traces how far the soot and smoke went, room by room, including closets, the attic, and the ducts. We use moisture meters to find hose water inside walls and under floors. We photograph all the damage for your insurance. The inspection is free.
- 4
We remove water and seal off clean rooms
We pump out standing water and set up drying equipment. Rooms the smoke didn’t reach get closed off with plastic, so soot doesn’t follow us through the house.
- 5
We remove what can’t be saved
Materials that can’t be saved, like charred drywall and soaked insulation, come out. If you need belongings packed out, we can do that as a separate service.
- 6
We clean and deodorize
Soot comes off with dry methods first, then wet cleaning matched to each surface. With the residue gone, we treat the smell in the materials and ducts that soaked it up.
- 7
We make the repairs
When you’re ready, the 24 Hour Flood Pros team fixes the damage. We replace drywall, install cabinets, and finish with fresh paint. Our goal is to make your home look the way it did before.
- 8
Final check with you
Before we sign off a room, we check surfaces in strong light and wipe-test them for leftover residue. Then we walk through with you, with the HVAC running for a smell check, and send the final records to your insurance company to close out the claim.
Smoke from a fire next door?
Call (470) 659-8287In condos, townhomes, and apartments, smoke travels through shared walls, hallways, and vents. If you smell smoke or see a gray film on walls or vents, call us. The inspection is free.
Insurance and claims
Help with your fire damage insurance claim
We work with all major insurance carriers, including State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, American Family, Travelers, and Nationwide. Documentation starts on the first visit, and your adjuster can call us directly with questions.
Your policy decides what’s covered, not us. Our job is keeping the paperwork clear enough that your claim doesn’t stall. We bill your insurance directly for damage your policy covers.
Many homeowners policies also include loss-of-use coverage, sometimes called additional living expenses, for a hotel or rental while the house is repaired. Ask your adjuster what yours includes before you book anything.
If a claim stalls and you can’t sort it out with your insurer, Georgia’s Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire has a consumer services division that handles homeowners claim complaints: (404) 656-2070 or (800) 656-2298.
What your adjuster will ask for
- The date and time of the fire, and what started it, if known
- The fire incident report from the department that responded
- Photos and video of every room, taken before cleanup
- A list of damaged belongings: what can be cleaned and what can’t
- Receipts for emergency repairs, hotel stays, and meals
What we send them
- Date-stamped photos of each damaged area
- Moisture readings from the firefighting water
- A line-by-line estimate for cleanup and rebuild
- One point of contact for your adjuster
Where we work
Areas we serve around Atlanta
Our Atlanta crew covers the city and the areas around it.
Counties
- Fulton County
- DeKalb County
- Clayton County
- Cobb County
- Douglas County
- Fayette County
- Rockdale County
- Henry County
- Gwinnett County
- Paulding County
Intown neighborhoods
- Buckhead
- Midtown
- Virginia-Highland
- Inman Park
- Kirkwood
- Grant Park
- West End
Nearby cities
- Decatur
- Sandy Springs
- South Fulton
- Brookhaven
- Dunwoody
- Marietta
- Smyrna
- Roswell
- Alpharetta
- Johns Creek
- Milton
- Peachtree Corners
- Tucker
- Stonecrest
- East Point
- College Park
- Stone Mountain
Don't see your area listed? Call us and we'll tell you right away.
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Common questions
Atlanta fire and smoke damage FAQs
How fast can 24 Hour Flood Pros get to me?
A crew can be there within 45 minutes. We work 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays. If the fire department hasn’t cleared the house yet, we’ll talk you through what to do until it does.
Is it safe to stay in my house after a fire?
Not until it’s been checked, and often not in the rooms closest to the fire. Soot in the air irritates your lungs, and burned floors, ceilings, and wiring can be unsafe. After the inspection, we’ll tell you which areas are safe to use and whether it makes sense to stay somewhere else during the work.
Will the smoke smell ever go away?
In most homes, yes, once the residue is cleaned off and the materials that soaked up smoke are treated or removed. A smell that keeps coming back usually means residue was missed, often in the ducts, the insulation, or inside cabinets. That’s why our final walkthrough includes a smell check with the heat or air running.
Can I clean the soot myself?
A light film on a small area, maybe. Anything more, we don’t recommend it. Wiping soot with water or household cleaners usually smears it into paint and grout and can set the stain. Soot is also acidic and irritating, so it shouldn’t be handled without gloves and a respirator.
Does homeowners insurance cover fire and smoke damage in Georgia?
Most standard homeowners policies cover sudden fires, including smoke damage and water damage from putting the fire out. Limits, deductibles, and exclusions vary, so check your policy or ask your agent.
How much does fire damage restoration cost in Atlanta?
It depends on how far the soot and smoke spread, what can be cleaned or has to be replaced, how much water needs drying, and how much has to be rebuilt. One smoky room costs far less than a kitchen fire that reached the attic. The inspection and estimate are free, so you know the cost before any work starts.
How long does fire damage restoration take?
Light smoke damage in a room or two can take a few days. A fire that needs walls, cabinets, or floors rebuilt can take several weeks or longer, depending on the scope, permits, and insurance approvals. Your estimate includes a schedule.
How do I get a fire report in Atlanta?
For fires inside the City of Atlanta, request the incident report from Atlanta Fire Rescue through the City’s open records request. Many nearby cities and counties run their own fire departments, so ask the department that responded.
Do you handle commercial fire damage?
Yes. We restore offices, restaurants, shops, and other commercial buildings, and we plan the work around getting you reopened. See our commercial restoration page for more.
Available 24/7
Get a free inspection
Day or night, weekend or holiday, call (470) 659-8287. A crew can be there within 45 minutes to start your free inspection.
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