Fire damage restoration guidesanswers for the days after a fire

If the fire just happened, begin with what to do after a house fire. If you are already back home and still smell smoke, read the smoke odor guide. If you see black marks on walls or ceilings, the soot guide explains what they mean. The safety guide helps you decide whether you can stay, and the insurance guide covers the adjuster visit and record keeping.

Each guide ends with a list of details worth mentioning when you call, so the contractor you speak with can understand your situation quickly.

The guides draw on the U.S. Fire Administration's after-the-fire advice, EPA guidance on mold and moisture, lead and asbestos, the IICRC standards for fire and water restoration, and Texas Department of Insurance consumer tips. They are general information and do not replace the fire department, a licensed electrician or your insurer. For short answers, see the questions and answers page, and for how each kind of work is done, see the fire restoration services pages.

We update the guides when the sources behind them change. Each guide shows its sources at the bottom.