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Fire Damage Restoration Guide
Fire Damage Restoration Guide
4.9 RATING

Fire Damage Restoration Guide

The damage or destruction of your property after a house fire is devastating.

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June 03, 2026
Fire Damage Restoration Guide

The damage or destruction of your property after a house fire is devastating. You could be left wondering what should be done first and how to make sense of the chaos. You may not realize that you need a plan to help prevent you from inadvertently making the situation worse, even though your instincts guide you in the right direction. This fire damage restoration guide from Tidal Wave Response will help point you in the right direction and lead you through these essential steps.

What Should You Do After a House Fire?

Firefighters will often work with other emergency responders like police officers, paramedics, and utility workers during these initial stages of recovery.

Once the fire has been put out, it's time for cleanup! Most homeowners don't realize how much work goes into cleaning up after a house fire — soot stains everywhere and debris piled up in every room. To make things even more complicated, water damage from fire hoses or sprinklers may need fixing before moving back into your home or even a space within your home.

Your company will send an adjuster if you're lucky enough to have insurance. The adjuster will assess the damage and determine how much money will be needed for repairs or rebuilding. They'll also help you file a claim with the insurance company to get reimbursed for your losses.

Remain calm. If there are no injuries involved, take deep breaths and remain calm. Remember that this is only temporary, and everything will be okay in time. Don't freak out and cause more damage by trying to clean up the mess while you still have adrenaline pumping through your veins.

Reviews

Cassandra Abdus-Salaam

Alpharetta, GA

Hi. I don’t know where to start. John and Tidal wave his company were and still are a blessing from my Lord. One morning in January of this year I went down stairs and stepped in a puddle of water it was flooded. I also passed out. This was the second one in less than a year. I stood there for a minute and just cried. All I could think of was my insurance company may not take care of it a second time even if it was for a different leak. The last claim they paid out $23,000 for…

John Ayer

Atlanta, GA

John Mayer, Principal of Tidal Wave Response, and his project management team, lead by Colin Galubinski, has completed the restoration of my home in record time. The work included, but was not limited to the following: 1) Professional water leak detection 2) Professional plumbing that removed the concrete slab and backfill material, found and repaired the PEX cold water pipe 3) Backfilled and placed concrete to finish grade 4) Packed the furniture to storage. Restored the furniture without incident nor damage. 5) Dehumidified and removed the damaged carpet and hardwoods. 6) Cleaned the concrete surface and installed the new hardwoods.…

Spenser Hewett

Brookhaven, GA

I have worked in sales and also have experience in launching my own business. It is rare that you find a company that genuinely has your best interest in mind. Not only was John helpful outside of his business’ expertise, but he sent Chris to do a *free* evaluation of our water damage. John and Chris were both genuine and personable. They cared about what our situation was and they weren’t looking to get any sort of “fee” for their time. These are the kind of people you trust to handle big, catastrophic water damage to. I have previously had…

James B

Chamblee, GA

While others might categorize John as a fast talker, but on the other hand. I saw a man that's passionate about his business and willing to help others elevate their present situation. In early December 2022, our laundry room floor and wall got water damaged due to leakage from the hotline pipe, and other rooms got impacted due to water spreading. So, I reached out to John and he assured me they'll do everything within their power to get our house done before Christmas day. Boy was he right! John and the tidalwave response team were professional, helpful and got…

Anne Berman

Cumming, GA

We did not plan to renovate our terrace level but when the hot water heater leaked and flooded the entire area, Tidal Wave was recommended to us by the plumber who installed the new hot water heater. John, the owner was at our house the same evening and mitigation started early the next morning. The crew professionally removed wet drywall, flooring, and baseboard. Fans and dehumidifiers ran for several days and then the fun began. With Colin's help we were able to choose updated flooring, repaint a color of our choice, and new trim was installed. Everything was completed professionally.…

Hunter smith

Decatur, GA

Wow incredible company! I had a water damage that destroyed my entire main level. John and his team are very quick and efficient. When I was looking on google, tidal wave response was the only water restoration company with a 5 star review. Highly recommended using tidal wave response!!

Meme Dupree

Doraville, GA

I had a flood in my downstairs living room. It was devastating. John with Tidal wave was very professional. He had his team show up immediately to get the job done. Great work Tidal Wave. I'm definitely going to refer you to others.

pam kunc

Duluth, GA

Thank Goodness !!! Johnny on the spot! We had a pipe ruptured in the ceiling and we were looking for a 5 Star Rated Water Restoration company . Johnny came out with a Thermal Camera and found the pipe spraying behind the wall. I wish I would have called him sooner . My wood floors were so damaged by the water, they all will need to be replaced. We highly recommended Johnny with Tidal Wave. Very knowledgeable and even helped us start a claim with our insurance ..

Randy Fann

Dunwoody, GA

Had a shaky start with this particular project but I must say the owner took charge and corrected all the remaining issues. I will say that this particular job was the absolute worst I have taken on in 45 yrs. My hat is off to Mike and his crew and Allan was superb in making sure everything was done correctly. Thank you for your follow-up on this project guys. And Allan thank you especially for your thoroughness in making sure it was completed correctly.

Kadeja Edwards

Johns Creek, GA

Unfortunately, my water heater was old, cracked, and leaking water onto the supported area in my garage. I needed to replace the water heater with a new one, but the plumber told me that in order to meet the city code, I would have to handle the water damage first. I called out tidal wave (who I’ve worked with before), and they came out the very next day to cut out the affected area and treat for mold. This is my second issue with water in my house and tidal wave has taken care of both issues. They are fast,…

Secure Your Property and Belongings

As soon as possible, secure your property from further damage. If there's a fire or water leak in your home, shut off your electricity and gas at the main panel and call an electrician or plumber for assistance. If you suspect that any of your belongings are contaminated by smoke or soot, place them on a tarp or plastic sheet in an outdoor area with good ventilation and leave them until they can be cleaned. The same goes for mattresses -- move them outside immediately.

Take pictures of everything before it's cleaned up or thrown away — this includes appliances, furniture, and other personal belongings damaged in the fire. You'll need these photos when filing insurance claims or making repairs later down the road.

Call your insurance company immediately after any disaster strikes. They'll direct you on how to file a claim and what type of documentation they need from professionals involved in the cleanup process (such as contractors). Insurance companies are used to working with Tidal Wave Response and other fire restoration services. Tidal Wave Response services can work directly with most insurance companies, so you don't need to. You can stay focused on your family.

Cleaning Up Your Property

Do not attempt to clean up your home until it has been declared safe by local authorities. It is essential to call 911 immediately if you believe that there is a fire hazard at your home or business.

Once the area is deemed safe, and all utilities have been shut off, it's time to start cleaning up your property. The following items will help you get started:

  • Disinfectants - Disinfectants are used to kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces that may have been exposed to smoke or soot.
  • Broom & Dustpan - A broom can clean up loose debris from hardwood floors, carpets, and drywall dust from ceilings and walls. A dustpan can be used to collect debris from carpets and upholstery.
  • Scrub Brush - A scrub brush can be used on porous surfaces like tile, grout, or wood trimming to remove stubborn stains caused by soot or smoke damage.
  • Vacuum Cleaner - A vacuum cleaner is useful for removing fine debris such as ash particles that may have settled on furniture, curtains, or draperies after a house fire.

Reasons to Choose Tidal Wave

We Bill Your Insurance Directly

We Bill Your Insurance Directly

We Accept All Insurance Claims

We Accept All Insurance Claims

Licensed & Certified Technicians

Licensed & Certified Technicians

30 Minutes Response Time

30 Minutes Response Time

Locally & Family Owned

Locally & Family Owned

24/7 Emergency Service

24/7 Emergency Service

Never an Overtime Charge

Never an Overtime Charge

Let The Professional Clean!

Once you have the house secured and have left, don't worry. You can handle this if you hire the right people to help. Tidal Wave Response specializes in fire restoration services. Above all, remember that you can recover from such a disaster. The restoration painters will come into your home, restore it to its previous state, and help you move on with your life. Let them do their jobs as soon as possible.

Our Services

From emergency water extraction to full property recovery, Tidal Wave Response provides the fast, expert care you need. Browse our complete suite of 24/7 restoration services below to see how we can help today.

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