Fire & Smoke Restoration

🔥 Emergency Fire Damage Response

Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration — Edmonds & King County

AWDR provides comprehensive fire and smoke damage restoration — from emergency board-up and soot removal to odor elimination, structural cleaning, and full rebuild coordination.

⏱ 60-Minute Emergency Response Guarantee
📞 Call (206) 771-7040 Get a Free Estimate
IICRC Certified  |  BBB Accredited  |  WA Lic. #AMERIWD794PJ  |  5★ Reviews
✓ IICRC Certified (S500 & S520)
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✓ $3.7M+ Recovered for Clients
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✓ 100+ Five-Star Reviews
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✓ 24/7 Emergency Response

Fire Damage Restoration: Beyond What You Can See

A fire leaves two distinct types of damage that must both be addressed completely: the physical destruction from flames, heat, and water used to extinguish the fire — and the pervasive, invasive smoke and soot contamination that penetrates surfaces, systems, and materials far beyond the burn zone. Many homeowners underestimate how far smoke damage travels through a structure.

Soot is acidic and continues to corrode surfaces, electronics, fabrics, and metals for days after the fire is out. Porous materials absorb smoke odor compounds at a molecular level — simply cleaning surfaces is not enough. AWDR uses professional thermal fogging, hydroxyl generation, and ozone treatment to neutralize odor at its source, combined with physical soot removal and surface cleaning on all affected materials.

Our certified technicians assess every category of damage: char and structural compromise from direct flame contact; residue from dry, wet, and protein-based smoke types; and water and chemical damage from firefighting efforts. We work directly with your insurance adjuster from day one, providing Xactimate documentation that captures the full scope so you receive fair compensation.

AWDR’s fire restoration work doesn’t end at mitigation. Our in-house reconstruction team handles complete rebuild — drywall, flooring, painting, millwork, and all finish work — so you deal with a single point of contact from the fire alarm to your final walkthrough.

  • Emergency board-up and roof tarping (24/7)
  • Structural assessment and stabilization
  • Dry, wet, and protein smoke/soot removal
  • Thermal fogging and hydroxyl odor treatment
  • Electronics and contents cleaning and pack-out
  • Full Xactimate insurance documentation
  • Coordinated in-house reconstruction and rebuild
  • IICRC-certified technicians on every project

Immediate Steps After a House Fire

  • Do not re-enter until fire department clears the structure
  • Contact your insurance company to report the claim
  • Call AWDR — (206) 771-7040 — for emergency board-up
  • Document all visible damage with photos before any cleanup
  • Do not attempt to clean soot yourself (spreads contamination)
  • Avoid using HVAC — it will spread soot and smoke throughout
  • Remove pets and people from smoke-affected areas
  • Save all receipts for any emergency living expenses
(206) 771-7040

Available 24/7 — we answer every call, day or night.

Call Now — We Answer 24/7

Our Fire & Smoke Restoration Process

A proven, step-by-step approach that minimizes damage, maximizes your insurance claim, and gets your property back to normal fast.

1
Emergency Board-Up & Stabilization
We secure your property immediately — boarding windows and doors, tarping compromised roof areas, and ensuring the structure is safe and weather-tight to prevent further damage.
2
Assessment & Insurance Documentation
A certified estimator documents all fire, smoke, and water damage using Xactimate. We identify every affected material and system so your insurance claim captures the complete scope.
3
Soot Removal, Cleaning & Odor Treatment
We remove soot and char from all surfaces, clean and treat affected materials, and deploy thermal fogging and/or hydroxyl generators to neutralize smoke odor molecules throughout the structure.
4
Reconstruction & Final Clearance
Our in-house reconstruction team restores your property to pre-loss condition — drywall, flooring, painting, cabinetry, and all finish work — with a final inspection and walkthrough.

Why Choose AWDR for Fire & Smoke Restoration?

Not all restoration companies are equal. Here’s what sets American Water Damage Restoration apart in the greater Seattle region.

🏗️
Mitigation + Reconstruction Under One Roof
AWDR handles both the cleanup and the rebuild — eliminating the handoff delays, scope disputes, and finger-pointing that occur when separate contractors are used. One company, one contract, one accountable team.
📄
Insurance Advocacy Built In
Our estimators use Xactimate — the same software your adjuster uses — to document every line item of your fire and smoke damage claim. We’ve recovered over $3.7M for our clients. We know how to build a complete claim.
💨
Professional Odor Elimination
We use industrial thermal fogging, hydroxyl generation, and ozone treatment to permanently neutralize smoke odor at the molecular level — not just masking it with deodorants that will fade and allow odors to return.

Fire & Smoke Restoration — Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions our Edmonds & Seattle customers ask before, during, and after fire & smoke restoration work.

Can smoke and soot damage be completely removed?
Yes, with proper professional treatment. Smoke odor and soot can be permanently eliminated — but it requires the right equipment and techniques for each material type. Dry soot, wet soot, and protein-based smoke (from cooking fires) all behave differently and require different cleaning approaches. AWDR’s certified technicians are trained to identify smoke type and apply the correct method. Consumer-grade cleaning products and air fresheners cannot achieve permanent odor removal.
How long does fire and smoke damage restoration take?
Timeline depends on the fire’s size, the extent of smoke and water damage, and the reconstruction scope. Emergency stabilization and initial mitigation typically happens within the first 24–72 hours. Full restoration including reconstruction can take 3–12 weeks for a typical residential fire. AWDR provides a detailed timeline at the start of every project and keeps you updated throughout.
How does the insurance process work after a house fire?
First, contact your insurance company to report the claim and get a claim number. Then call AWDR. We’ll begin emergency mitigation immediately (this is required by most policies to prevent further damage) and our estimator will document the full scope of damage. We communicate directly with your adjuster throughout — providing Xactimate estimates, supplemental documentation, and answering questions — so the process moves efficiently and you receive full entitled coverage.
What items can be salvaged versus what needs to be replaced?
This is assessed on a material-by-material basis. Hard, non-porous surfaces (metal, glass, tile, stone) can typically be cleaned and restored. Heavily smoke-saturated porous materials — insulation, some drywall, carpet padding, soft furnishings — often need replacement. Electronics exposed to smoke and soot require professional cleaning and testing. AWDR’s assessment captures what can be saved (reducing your out-of-pocket costs) and what must be replaced for a safe, complete restoration.
My home smells like smoke weeks after the fire — is that normal?
Persistent smoke odor weeks after a fire indicates incomplete treatment — smoke molecules have penetrated porous surfaces (drywall, wood framing, subfloor, HVAC ductwork) and continue off-gassing. Consumer-grade products cannot neutralize these embedded compounds. AWDR uses professional thermal fogging and hydroxyl treatment specifically designed to reach and neutralize embedded smoke odor molecules throughout the structure. If you’ve had a ‘cleaned’ fire property that still smells, call us for a re-assessment.
Does insurance cover emergency board-up after a fire?
Yes — emergency board-up and tarping after a fire is considered a necessary protective measure and is almost universally covered under homeowners insurance as part of the mitigation costs. Failing to secure a fire-damaged structure can result in additional damage or theft, which could complicate your claim. AWDR handles emergency board-up 24/7 and documents it directly into your insurance estimate.

Serving Edmonds, WA and the entire Greater Seattle Metro — including Snohomish County, King County, and surrounding communities. Return to the AWDR Homepage to learn more about our full range of services.

Edmonds Seattle Lynnwood Shoreline Bothell Mountlake Terrace Kenmore Bellevue Kirkland Everett Mukilteo Snohomish County King County

Fire or Smoke Damage? We Respond Now — 24/7.

The faster you call, the less additional damage occurs. AWDR dispatches immediately to board up, stabilize, and begin the restoration process — while you focus on your family.

(206) 771-7040
📞 Call Now — 24/7 Emergency Line Request a Free Estimate

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