Fire & smoke damage · Emergency service
Fire & Smoke Damage in Austin, TX
Fire damage restoration covers securing the property, removing water from firefighting, cleaning soot from surfaces and contents, removing smoke odor, and rebuilding what burned. Smoke spreads far beyond the flames, so most of the work is cleaning.
Fire & Smoke Damage in Austin: local conditions
Partner coverage for fire and smoke damage in Austin currently includes 72 ZIP codes: 73301, 73344, 78651, 78701, 78702, 78703, 78704, 78705, 78708, 78709, 78710, 78711, 78712, 78713, 78714, 78715, 78717, 78718, 78719, 78720, 78721, 78722, 78723, 78724, 78725, 78726, 78727, 78728, 78729, 78730, 78731, 78732, 78733, 78734, 78735, 78736, 78737, 78738, 78739, 78741, 78742, 78744, 78745, 78746, 78747, 78748, 78749, 78750, 78751, 78752, 78753, 78754, 78755, 78756, 78757, 78758, 78759, 78760, 78761, 78762, 78763, 78765, 78766, 78767, 78768, 78772, 78773, 78774, 78778, 78779, 78783, 78799. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Onion Creek, Shoal Creek and Walnut Creek flood quickly in heavy rain, as in the 2013 and 2015 floods.
Hyde Park, Travis Heights and Tarrytown have 1920s–1950s bungalows, many on pier-and-beam foundations. Newer neighborhoods like Mueller and Circle C are mostly slab homes with attic HVAC and PEX plumbing.
Licensing in Texas: Texas doesn't license general contractors statewide, but it licenses mold assessors and mold remediation contractors through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for projects of 25 contiguous square feet or more.
What you can expect
- One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- Fast call-back during business hours
- Serving Austin, TX
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Fire & Smoke Damage at a glance
- Category
- Fire & smoke damage
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Secure the property
- Area
- Austin, TX
Other risks in Austin
Ice storms and falling trees
The February 2023 ice storm brought down limbs across Austin, puncturing roofs and cutting power.
Freeze bursts
The February 2021 freeze burst pipes in attics and exterior walls throughout the city.
Expansive clay soils
Clay soils east of I-35 swell and shrink, stressing slab foundations and buried pipes.
New-construction leaks
Fast growth means many homes with common new-construction leak points, like PEX fittings and attic water heaters.
Signs you need fire & smoke damage
- Black or gray film on walls, ceilings and windows
- Smoke odor that returns on warm or humid days
- Water damage from firefighting
How the work is done
Secure the property, then Remove water, then Clean soot and smoke, then Remove odor, then Restore and rebuild. See the full fire & smoke damage process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in Austin quote after an assessment. The main drivers are how much area is affected, how long it stayed wet, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. See the full list of fire & smoke damage cost factors.
Fire & Smoke Damage questions
Do I need a permit for repairs in Austin?
Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the City of Austin Development Services Department.
Is my Austin home in a flood zone?
Check the City of Austin's floodplain maps and FEMA flood maps. Many flood claims come from outside mapped zones, and homeowners policies exclude flood.
Can I clean soot myself?
Light dry soot in a small area sometimes can be, but wiping often smears it deeper. Larger areas, oily soot and anything involving odor are best left to professionals with the right cleaning methods.
Does homeowners insurance cover smoke damage from a wildfire?
Usually yes, even if the fire didn't reach your home. Document the damage, including ash and odor, and report it to your insurer quickly.
Related pages
Other services in Austin
Fire & Smoke Damage in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in Austin, or see fire & smoke damage nationwide.
Related services
Fire damage restoration
Fire damage restoration secures the property, removes debris, cleans soot from surfaces and contents, removes smoke odor, dries water left by firefighting, and repairs the structure.
Learn more
Smoke odor removal
Smoke odor removal works by cleaning the residue that causes the smell, then neutralizing what's left with thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators or ozone, and sealing surfaces that still hold odor.
Learn moreSoot cleanup
Soot cleanup removes the oily or dry carbon residue left by fire, furnace puffbacks or candles, using dry chemical sponges and HEPA vacuums before any wet cleaning.
Learn moreWater, mold or fire damage? Get the right crew on it.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Fast call-back during business hours.