Fire damage isn’t just about the areas touched by flames. It’s the water soaked into your drywall from extinguishing efforts. It’s the pervasive smoke smell that clings to every soft surface. It’s the unseen soot in your HVAC system waiting to recirculate throughout your home. At First Coast Contracting, we handle these kinds of situations every day. Our crews are trained to restore homes safely, thoroughly, and in coordination with insurance carriers, especially for homeowners in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and the surrounding areas.
This guide breaks down the process step-by-step so you can understand exactly what goes into professional fire damage cleanup and how we help return homes to a livable, safe condition.
Table of Contents
The Immediate Response and Safety Protocols
Once the fire department has cleared the scene, the next critical step is securing the property. That means boarding up broken windows, tarping over damaged roofs, and shutting off utilities if needed. Safety is the priority before anything else begins. Structural stability is assessed quickly—if there are compromised walls, floors, or ceilings, they must be supported or restricted from access until repairs can begin.
We also bring in air scrubbers and negative air machines as soon as possible to filter out airborne particulates. Fire-damaged properties can contain fine ash, fiberglass, and other irritants that linger in the air. These machines start cleaning the air before any materials are removed.
Assessment and Damage Mapping
We use moisture meters, infrared imaging, and surface sampling to document where the damage really is. It’s not always visible. Smoke and water can spread far beyond the burn zone. Moisture trapped behind walls or under floors can trigger mold growth within 24-48 hours. Our teams create detailed damage maps to guide the cleanup and restoration process. This also supports your insurance claim, as proper documentation ensures no area of damage is overlooked.
Photographs, moisture readings, and written descriptions are compiled and submitted to your insurance adjuster. We also coordinate any needed third-party testing—including asbestos or lead checks in older homes—to ensure demolition and cleaning are done safely.
Debris Removal and Structural Cleaning
Burned materials, charred framing, and compromised drywall are carefully removed. The work is done under containment to prevent cross-contamination to unaffected areas. Crews wear personal protective equipment during this phase, especially when dealing with soot and contaminated water residue.
Structural elements that are salvageable are cleaned with industry-grade solutions. This includes dry ice blasting, soda blasting, or HEPA vacuuming depending on the surface type. It’s not enough to wipe soot off; it has to be neutralized and fully removed. Smoke particles are acidic and can continue corroding metal fixtures, wiring, and other building materials long after the fire is out.
Smoke Odor Removal and Air Purification
One of the most stubborn challenges after a fire is removing smoke odor. It gets into insulation, flooring adhesives, cabinet interiors, and ventilation systems. We use ozone generators, hydroxyl machines, and thermal fogging to reach into those hidden spaces.
These tools break apart odor-causing molecules at the chemical level, not just mask the smell. In some cases, materials like insulation or carpet padding may have to be removed entirely if they can’t be properly treated.
We also clean out the HVAC system and replace filters. If soot or smoke residue has made its way into ductwork, running the system again without cleaning it could recontaminate the whole home.
Water Extraction and Mold Prevention
Water from firefighting efforts can be just as destructive as the fire itself. We bring in extraction units to remove standing water, then use industrial air movers and dehumidifiers to fully dry the space. It’s not just about surface drying—we monitor humidity and use moisture sensors inside walls and floors to ensure materials reach safe levels.
This is where timing matters. If moisture isn’t addressed quickly, mold can take hold fast. We apply antimicrobial agents during drying and closely monitor the site to prevent secondary damage.
Cleaning and Restoring Contents
Fire damage isn’t limited to the structure—your belongings suffer, too. Soft goods like clothing and upholstery may need to be sent off-site for ozone cleaning. Hard goods, electronics, and keepsakes are cleaned by hand using gentle but effective tools.
We do a full inventory of salvageable and non-salvageable items. Anything that’s removed is tracked so it can be returned after the structure is cleaned and repaired. Digital records of everything are maintained to assist with insurance reimbursements.
Reconstruction and Final Repairs
After cleanup, the next phase is putting everything back together. That might mean replacing drywall, flooring, cabinetry, or roofing materials. Our licensed contractors rebuild the damaged areas to match the original finishes—or to reflect any updates you want to make during the process.
We coordinate inspections as needed to ensure all work is done to code, including electrical and plumbing if those systems were impacted. Once the repairs are complete, we do a final walkthrough with you to ensure everything is safe, clean, and ready to live in again.
The Role of Insurance Throughout the Process
Dealing with insurance after a fire can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to recover emotionally and mentally. A big part of professional fire restoration is communicating directly with your insurance provider. We help document losses, submit estimates, and explain scope changes if new damage is uncovered during cleanup.
This not only speeds up the claims process, but it also gives you one less thing to worry about. We speak the language of adjusters, estimates, and billing codes, so you don’t have to.
Why Professional Restoration Makes a Difference
Fires are chaotic, and the damage they cause isn’t always obvious at first glance. The steps to restore a home safely go far beyond surface cleaning. It requires the right tools, trained professionals, and a methodical approach.
Trying to handle cleanup on your own risks missing hidden damage, spreading contamination, or voiding insurance coverage. Working with experienced restoration experts means getting the job done right the first time, with safety and long-term livability at the core of every step.
If your home has been affected by fire, fast action matters. The longer smoke, soot, and moisture sit, the more damage they cause. With a structured process, the right equipment, and an expert team, you can get your home—and your life—back on track faster and more safely.
