Firefighting water spreads into walls, subfloors, and crawl spaces. 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 · Charlotte and nearby areas
Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration in Charlotte, NC
A kitchen fire, an electrical fire, or smoke from a neighbor’s unit can leave soot through your home. Our crew handles fire and smoke damage restoration in Charlotte, NC, from soot cleanup to repairs. Call any time, day or night.
Call (980) 406-944945minutes
IICRC Certified Firm#70120685
We work with all major insurance carriers
Fire damage help
Fire and smoke damage in Charlotte
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 travels farther than flames. Smoke settles in closets, cabinets, and attics. An HVAC unit in the attic or crawl space can draw it into the rooms. In townhomes, smoke can also travel through shared walls and attic space.
Firefighting water adds to the damage. It soaks drywall and subfloor and can collect in crawl spaces, where humid air slows drying. Anything wet for more than two days can grow mold, which is why drying begins at the first visit.
Homeowners, property managers, and business owners call us after fires all year round. We work across Dilworth, Myers Park, Plaza Midwood, NoDa, South End, Ballantyne, Uptown, Elizabeth, University City, and SouthPark.
Call Now (980) 406-9449Fire damage restoration at a glance
What’s included
Board-up, soot and smoke removal, deodorizing, firefighting-water drying, and reconstruction.
Typical timeline
Usually a few days for light smoke damage, and several weeks or more when rooms need rebuilding.
How cost is set
The reach of the soot and smoke, cleanable versus replaceable materials, drying needs, and the rebuild.
First visit
Call (980) 406-9449A free inspection and estimate before any work starts.
The first 24 hours
What to do after a fire in Charlotte
The Charlotte Fire Department, 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 (980) 406-9449What 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 the Charlotte Fire Department 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 heat pump
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 Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas or a licensed electrician.
Common fire damage
Types of fire and smoke damage we clean up in Charlotte
Each type of fire leaves a residue that tells us how to clean. These are the ones we see most in Charlotte-area homes and businesses. Humid summers and crawl spaces add a few challenges of their own.
Kitchen Fires
Cooking fires leave a nearly invisible, greasy film with a strong smell.
Electrical Fires
Bad wiring, crowded outlets, and frayed cords can start fires hidden inside Charlotte walls.
Dryer Fires
Laundry closets in Charlotte homes hide dryer vents, and lint there may ignite and spread smoke.
HVAC Smoke Spread
Many Charlotte homes have air handlers in the attic or crawl space. Ductwork running during the fire drew smoke in through the return, then blew soot out each supply vent. The duct runs need cleaning too.
Smoke From a Neighbor’s Unit
Charlotte has plenty of condos and townhomes, where smoke from a neighbor’s unit seeps through shared walls.
Water From Firefighting
Water from the fire hoses gets into drywall and subfloor, then settles in the crawl space. In humid Charlotte air, damp drywall and insulation need drying right away to head off mold.
How we clean
How we get smoke and soot out of your home
In a Charlotte home, that lingering smoke smell is coming from residue: on drywall and cabinets, inside insulation and carpet pad, and lining the ducts. Until the residue is gone, deodorizers just cover it up.
Each surface is tested first. A small test spot shows the method that removes soot without spreading it or damaging the finish.
We lift soot dry before anything gets wet. HEPA vacuums and dry chemical sponges pick up the loose particles, and wet cleaning follows. Humid air makes soot cling, so getting this order right matters.
We remove the smell where it lives. After the residue is off, we deodorize the framing, subfloor, and ductwork. We remove materials too saturated to clean, like insulation. Some treatments need people, pets, and plants out of the house, so we schedule them with you.
What the residue tells us
Dry soot
Usually fromQuick, hot fires in paper or wood
How it behavesFluffy and loose; lifts with HEPA vacuums.
Oily residue
Usually fromLow-heat fires and melted plastics
How it behavesClings and streaks; takes stronger cleaners.
Protein residue
Usually fromBurned meat and other food
How it behavesAlmost invisible, smells strongly, and yellows paint.
Duct soot
Usually fromHVAC running during the fire
How it behavesFine soot spread through every vent.
What can be saved
What can be cleaned and what gets replaced
That depends on the material, how close it was to the fire, and how quickly cleaning starts. These are the typical outcomes. Your inspection gives you the answer for your home.
Glass, tile, metal, and stone
Usually cleanedThese usually come clean if soot is removed quickly. In humid weather, acidic soot can etch glass and pit metal sooner.
Painted walls and ceilings
Usually cleanedUsually cleanable. If a gray shadow stays after cleaning, a stain-blocking primer goes on before the new paint.
Drywall
Depends on heat and timingIf smoke only stained it, drywall can usually be cleaned and sealed. Sections that burned or got soaked by hoses are removed.
Wood cabinets and furniture
Depends on heat and timingFinished wood usually cleans. Heat-blistered or smoke-saturated wood may need refinishing or replacement.
Clothing, curtains, and bedding
Depends on heat and timingSpecialized cleaning brings back many washable fabrics. Burned or melted items can’t be saved.
Upholstered furniture and rugs
Depends on heat and timingCouches and rugs that caught light smoke often clean up. If heavy smoke or hose water soaked into the padding, replacement is more likely.
Electronics and appliances
Depends on heat and timingSoot corrodes electronics from the inside, so have them checked before use.
Photos and documents
Depends on heat and timingLay photos and papers flat somewhere dry and leave them alone. Document restoration specialists can often recover more than you expect.
Charred framing
Depends on heat and timingStuds with surface charring can sometimes be cleaned and sealed. If the fire weakened the wood, it’s replaced for safety.
Insulation, mattresses, and carpet pad
Usually replacedInsulation, mattresses, and carpet pad act like sponges for smoke and water, so they’re replaced rather than cleaned.
Food and medicine
Usually replacedThrow away any food that was exposed to heat or smoke, and any cans that got hot. For medicine, ask your pharmacist before using it.
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 restored are photographed and listed on a separate sheet, so your adjuster can see each one and the reason.
Help beyond the fire
Other restoration services we offer in Charlotte
Every job starts with a free inspection and estimate. Fire damage rarely comes alone, so the same team handles what comes with it.
Humidity and damp crawl spaces give mold a head start after a fire. We find the moisture source, contain the area, remove the mold, and dry the space out.
More about Mold Remediation
Thunderstorms and tropical systems can drop trees and damage roofs. We dry the structure, remove damaged materials, and repair the ceilings and walls inside.
More about Storm Damage
In Charlotte, smoke can force a restaurant or office to shut its doors while cleanup happens. 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 (980) 406-9449Call 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 (980) 406-9449 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 heat pump running for a smell check, and send the final records to your insurance company to close out the claim.
HVAC ran during the fire?
Call (980) 406-9449A system that ran while smoke filled the Charlotte house may have coated its ducts with soot. Leave the system off and call us for a free inspection.
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, you can file a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
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 Charlotte
We serve Charlotte and nearby towns in North and South Carolina.
Charlotte neighborhoods
- Dilworth
- Myers Park
- Plaza Midwood
- NoDa
- South End
- Ballantyne
- Uptown
- Elizabeth
- University City
- SouthPark
Nearby cities
- Matthews
- Mint Hill
- Pineville
- Huntersville
- Cornelius
- Davidson
- Mooresville
- Concord
- Gastonia
- Indian Trail
- Fort Mill
- Rock Hill
Don’t see your area listed? Call us and we’ll tell you right away.
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Common questions
Charlotte 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 North Carolina?
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 Charlotte?
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 Charlotte?
For fires inside the City of Charlotte, request the incident report from the Charlotte Fire Department. 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 (980) 406-9449. A crew can be there within 45 minutes to start your free inspection.
Call (980) 406-9449Or request a free inspection online
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