Fire & smoke damage · Emergency service
Fire & Smoke Damage in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh: local conditions
Partner coverage for fire and smoke damage in Pittsburgh currently includes 67 ZIP codes: 15201, 15202, 15203, 15204, 15205, 15206, 15207, 15208, 15209, 15210, 15211, 15212, 15213, 15214, 15215, 15216, 15217, 15218, 15219, 15220, 15221, 15222, 15223, 15224, 15225, 15226, 15227, 15228, 15229, 15230, 15232, 15233, 15234, 15235, 15236, 15237, 15238, 15239, 15240, 15241, 15243, 15250, 15251, 15252, 15253, 15254, 15255, 15257, 15258, 15259, 15260, 15261, 15262, 15264, 15265, 15267, 15270, 15272, 15274, 15275, 15279, 15281, 15282, 15286, 15289, 15290, 15295. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Pittsburgh's neighborhoods are full of late-1800s and early-1900s brick rowhouses and frame homes, almost all with basements. Many sit on steep lots where runoff flows toward foundations, and older homes have clay or cast-iron sewer laterals.
Licensing in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania requires home improvement contractors to register with the Attorney General's office under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). The registration number must appear on contracts.
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 Pittsburgh, PA
- 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
- Pittsburgh, PA
Other risks in Pittsburgh
Basement sewer backups
Combined sewers in older neighborhoods back up during heavy rain, and ALCOSAN is in the middle of a long-term upgrade to reduce overflows.
Landslides and hillside runoff
Steep slopes saturate during heavy rain, causing landslides and sending water against foundations.
River flooding
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 flooded neighborhoods along the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.
Frozen pipes
Cold winters freeze pipes in older homes with limited insulation.
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 Pittsburgh 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
Is sewer backup covered by insurance in Pittsburgh?
Usually only with a sewer or water backup endorsement on your homeowners policy.
Do I need a permit for repairs in Pittsburgh?
Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections.
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 Pittsburgh
Fire & Smoke Damage in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in Pittsburgh, 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.