Emergency Water Removal & Extraction
Pumping, truck-mount and portable extraction, and weighted carpet extraction that get standing and absorbed water out before it spreads to walls and the unit below.
Fire and smoke damage
Fire and smoke damage restoration for homes and businesses
We secure the building, remove the water left by firefighting, clean soot from surfaces and belongings, and treat smoke odor at its source instead of covering it up.
- 24/7 emergency line
- IICRC Certified Firm
- Insurance claim documentation
On call 24/7
Free inspection
Schedule a no-cost on-site inspection. A restoration specialist will contact you within a few minutes to confirm the details.
Request received
Thank you. A restoration specialist will contact you at the number provided to confirm the details. If water is still coming in, call now and we'll walk you through shutting it off.
(954) 289-0566Recognized by
What fire and smoke restoration involves
A fire leaves three kinds of damage: what burned, what the smoke reached, and what the firefighting water soaked. The burned area is often small. Smoke moves through the whole building, into closets, the attic, the air conditioning system, and the inside of cabinets and drawers.
Soot is not ordinary dirt. It is acidic, it bonds to surfaces over time, and different fires leave different residues. A fast, hot fire leaves dry, powdery soot; a smoldering fire involving plastics leaves a sticky residue that smears; a kitchen fire that burns food leaves a thin protein film that is hard to see and holds a strong odor. Each one needs its own cleaning method.
Odor is handled in a set order: clean the residue from every surface it reached, then treat what remains with thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators, or ozone where it is safe, and seal framing that cannot be fully cleaned. The IICRC's fire and smoke restoration standard, S700, lays out the same sequence of assessment, source removal, and odor management.
What to look for
Signs smoke reached further than you think
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Gray lines at carpet edges and under doors
Smoky air filters through gaps under doors and along carpet edges, leaving dark lines that show where it traveled.
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Soot around vents and fixtures
If the air conditioning ran during or after the fire, it pulled soot into the ducts and blew it into other rooms.
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Yellowed plastics and grout
Acidic residue begins to discolor appliance finishes, outlet covers, and grout soon after the fire.
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Tarnished or pitted metal
Faucets, hinges, and door hardware can tarnish or pit as soot reacts with moisture in the air.
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Odor that returns on humid days
Smoke trapped in porous materials releases again when humidity rises, which in South Florida is most days.
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A film that smears when wiped
A greasy residue on windows and cabinets points to wet smoke or protein residue, which needs specific cleaners.
Our process
How we restore fire and smoke damage
Fire jobs move from securing the building, to water, to residue, to odor. Skipping ahead makes stains and odor harder to remove.
- 01
Secure the property
Once the fire department releases the building, we board up broken windows and doors and tarp roof openings to keep out weather and intruders.
- 02
Assess and document
We record what burned, how far smoke and soot traveled, the type of residue in each area, and the water damage from firefighting, with photos for your adjuster.
- 03
Remove water and debris
Firefighting water is extracted, charred and soaked materials are removed, and the structure is dried so mold does not start while cleaning goes on.
- 04
Clean soot from surfaces
Dry soot is lifted with HEPA vacuums and dry chemical sponges before any wet cleaning. Wet smoke and protein residue get degreasers and cleaners matched to the surface.
- 05
Clean contents
Salvageable furniture, dishes, decor, and other belongings are cleaned. Items that cannot be restored are photographed and listed for your contents claim.
- 06
Deodorize and seal
Remaining odor is treated with thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators, or ozone. Framing and surfaces that hold odor are sealed with an odor-blocking primer.
- 07
HVAC and repairs
An air handler and ducts that pulled in smoke need cleaning before normal use, which we coordinate with your HVAC contractor. Repairs follow once cleaning and odor treatment are complete.
Types and causes
Fire and smoke damage we restore
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Kitchen and cooking fires
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Grease and food fires leave protein residue and strong odor even when the flames stay on the stove.
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Electrical fires
Overloaded circuits, damaged cords, and failing fixtures or panels, often starting inside a wall or ceiling where smoke spreads unseen.
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Dryer vent fires
Lint built up in the dryer or vent duct can ignite and send smoke through the laundry room and the rooms around it.
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Lithium-ion battery fires
E-bikes, scooters, and power tool batteries can fail while charging and burn hot, often in garages and apartments.
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Fires in neighboring units
In condos, townhomes, and strip centers, smoke and water from a fire next door can damage spaces that never saw a flame.
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Lightning strikes
South Florida's summer thunderstorms bring frequent lightning, which can start attic fires and damage wiring.
Timing
What happens in the days after a fire
Soot keeps working after the flames are out. Acidic residue, humid air, and firefighting water all add damage as time passes.
- First hours
Plastics and appliance finishes start to yellow, residue settles on every flat surface, and firefighting water soaks into floors and walls.
- First days
Painted walls discolor, metal fixtures tarnish, and odor works into upholstery, carpet, and clothing. Wet materials can begin to grow mold.
- First weeks
Discoloration can become permanent, wood finishes and flooring may need refinishing or replacement, and glass can etch.
- After that
Cleaning that would have saved an item early may no longer work, so more has to be replaced instead of restored.
Why Restoration USA
Why call Restoration USA after a fire
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Fire and water handled together
Board-up, extraction, drying, soot cleanup, and odor treatment from one team, done in the order that protects the most material.
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Cleaning matched to the residue
Dry soot, wet smoke, and protein residue are identified and cleaned with the method each needs, so stains are not smeared deeper.
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Contents on the record
Damaged belongings are photographed and listed, which supports the contents portion of your claim.
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24/7 emergency line
Call as soon as the fire department releases the property. We will tell you when a crew can be there to secure it.
Reviews
What clients say
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This company is absolutely nothing short of amazing! John listens and hears what the needs are and makes sure you feel as important as the next job. They are professional, on time and very catering to the clients needs and time. I have used them for years with 2 different houses. They take the time to walk you through the process and spend time even after in order to make you feel comfortable. They are extremely professional and I feel safe having them in my home. They treated my house as if it was their own. They ensure your family is safe and that is the most important thing. I would highly recommend this company.
Google review · Repeat client View source -
Grateful for James and his team! They did an outstanding job helping my elderly father whose living room had gotten wet due to weather conditions! Fast, detailed, and professional, with a caring spirit!!! Would highly recommend Restoration USA!! Great job again!!!
Google review View source -
These guys are AWESOME. We had a huge flood in our house and they handled everything from packing up our contents, drying out our home and restoring our home like nothing ever happened. They were very professional and brought our home back to normal in the time that they promised and we agreed on. I highly recommend them for all your restoration needs. Cheers
Google review View source
★ Every job is documented: photos, readings, and an itemized scope.
Insurance
Fire damage and your insurance
Fire and smoke are covered perils under most homeowners and commercial property policies. A fire claim usually includes the structure, your contents, and, if the home cannot be lived in, additional living expenses. Water damage from firefighting is normally part of the fire claim, not a separate one.
Contents are where documentation matters most. Before anything is thrown away, photograph it and list it with a description and approximate age. We record soot and odor conditions in each room, note what was cleaned and what could not be restored, and give your adjuster the photos and scope. Condo owners should review both their HO-6 policy and the association's master policy.
Usually covered
- Sudden pipe bursts and supply-line failures
- Water heater ruptures
- Toilet, sink, and tub overflows
- Appliance and AC overflows
- Burst or accidentally discharged fire sprinklers
- Water that enters through storm damage to the roof or windows
- Mold caused by a covered water loss, often up to a set limit
What we document
- Source of the loss and affected areas
- Daily moisture readings and equipment logs
- Thermal images of hidden moisture
- Every material removed, and why
- Each condo unit and common area, documented separately
- Dated photos and an itemized scope of work
Carriers we've worked with: Citizens Property Insurance, Universal Property & Casualty, Tower Hill Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, USAA, and many more.
Coverage decisions belong to your insurer and depend on your policy. Florida does not allow assignment of benefits on property policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, so you stay in control of your claim.
How water damage claims work in FloridaFAQ
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration: common questions
Can I clean the soot myself?
It is best not to. Wiping soot with a wet cloth or household cleaner smears it and pushes it deeper into paint, grout, and fabric, which can make a stain permanent. Dry soot has to be lifted with HEPA vacuuming and dry chemical sponges before any wet cleaning. If you must handle belongings, wear gloves and a respirator.
Will the smoke smell go away?
Usually, once the residue causing it is removed. Odor comes from particles lodged in surfaces and fabrics, so cleaning comes first. What remains is treated with thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators, or ozone, and framing that holds odor is sealed before walls and ceilings are repaired.
Is ozone safe for removing smoke odor?
Ozone works on stubborn odor, but it irritates the lungs, so it is used only in an empty building: people, pets, and plants stay out while it runs and until the air is cleared. Long exposure can also degrade rubber and some fabrics. Hydroxyl generators work more slowly but can run with people present, which suits occupied homes and businesses.
Can I run the air conditioning after a fire?
Not until the system has been checked. If the air handler pulled in smoke, running it spreads soot through the ducts into every room. Keep it off, replace the filter, and have the air handler and ducts inspected and cleaned. Dehumidifiers can control indoor humidity in the meantime.
What should I throw away after a fire?
Discard food, drinks, medications, and cosmetics exposed to heat, smoke, or firefighting water, including refrigerated food if the power was off for long. Photograph and list items before discarding them. Hold off on furniture, clothing, and electronics until they are evaluated, since many can be cleaned, and do not power on electronics that were exposed to smoke until they are checked.
Related services
Often needed alongside fire & smoke
Structural Drying & Dehumidification
Dehumidification, air movement, and targeted drying for wall cavities, block, slabs, and hardwood, tracked with daily moisture readings.
Water Damage Restoration
Extraction, moisture mapping, and structural drying for leaks, overflows, and floods, with documentation your adjuster can use.
Storm & Hurricane Damage Restoration
Emergency tarping and board-up, water removal, and drying after hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe thunderstorms, with damage documented for your claim.
Mold Remediation
Containment, HEPA filtration, removal of moldy materials, and detailed cleaning to IICRC S520, with the moisture problem found and corrected so growth does not return.
Commercial Restoration
Water, mold, fire, and storm restoration for offices, retail, restaurants, warehouses, and multifamily buildings, phased to keep the rest of the property running.
Service areas
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration near you
We cover Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. These are some of the cities where we handle fire & smoke most often.
- Water damage restoration in Deerfield Beach Broward County
- Water damage restoration in Coconut Creek Broward County
- Water damage restoration in Hallandale Beach Broward County
- Water damage restoration in Dania Beach Broward County
- Water damage restoration in Miramar Broward County
- Water damage restoration in Pembroke Pines Broward County
- Water damage restoration in Boca Raton Palm Beach County
- Water damage restoration in Cooper City Broward County
Don't wait. Go with the pros.
Water in the building right now?
Call the 24/7 line. We will help you stop the source, tell you what to move, and get a crew scheduled. Not urgent? Send a request and we will call you back.
Call 24/7 (954) 289-0566- 1 We answer 24/7, day or night
- 2 We help you stop the water and protect belongings
- 3 We schedule a crew and tell you when to expect them
On call 24/7
Free inspection
Schedule a no-cost on-site inspection. A restoration specialist will contact you within a few minutes to confirm the details.
Request received
Thank you. A restoration specialist will contact you at the number provided to confirm the details. If water is still coming in, call now and we'll walk you through shutting it off.
(954) 289-0566Recognized by