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Things to Know Before Fire Damage Cleanup
Things to Know Before Fire Damage Cleanup
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Things to Know Before Fire Damage Cleanup

Fire damage cleanup involves addressing the damage caused by fire, smoke, soot, and water to restore a property to its original shape.

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June 03, 2026
Things to Know Before Fire Damage Cleanup

Fire damage cleanup involves addressing the damage caused by fire, smoke, soot, and water to restore a property to its original shape. This process entails assessing the extent of damage in a property and getting rid of smoke, soot, and odor that results from a fire outbreak.

If you experience fire damage in your home or property, there are important things to know to aid in your cleanup efforts.

  • Your Safety Comes First

Fire can continue to be a hazard even after the flames have been extinguished. Heat sources from various types of debris can cause serious burns or come into flammable materials and reignite the fire. You should never attempt to enter your house or property until you've been cleared by a fire damage company or professionals from the fire department. Moreover, soot, smoke, ash, and odor can cause serious health problems, so it's advisable to find a safe place to stay until your property has been restored to its pre-loss state.

  • Time Is of Essence When Dealing with Fire Damage

As soon as the flames are put out, smoke and soot will spread throughout the home and settle on everything from furniture to upholstery and bedding. Therefore, fire damage restoration should begin as quickly as possible because soot is acidic and can corrode your possessions and cause permanent stains if left untreated. Besides, soot and smoke can leave a lingering smell of smoke and soot that can cause serious health problems. If you don't act promptly to eliminate smoke, soot, odor, and water that results from fire damage, you may experience costly damage and health problems.

  • Understand That Fire Damage Cleanup Will Take Time

The fire damage cleanup process involves a number of steps including assessment, water extraction, removal of all damaged contents, structural cleaning, and more. Therefore, the cleanup process can take anywhere from a couple of days to around three weeks.

  • You Have to Call Your Insurance Company

After you call a water damage company, ensure you call your insurance company. The insurance company will send an agent to your property to inspect the extent of the damage. You’ll need to take pictures of the affected property and document the damage so as to back up your claim.

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,…

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

Do You Need Fire Damage Restoration Services? Get in Touch with Tidal Wave Response

Having a home or business damaged by fire can be devastating. However, taking too long to deal with the effects of fire damage can lead to more expensive problems down the road. Luckily, you can get in touch with an experienced water damage company and restore your fire-damaged home or business to its pre-loss condition.

If you’ve suffered fire damage in your property and need the help of a reputable fire damage company to help you recover from fire damage and get your life back to normal, call Tidal Wave Response. As one of the dependable companies in the restoration industry with many years of experience in fire damage restoration, Tidal Wave Response has what it takes to remediate property damage.

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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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