Fire Damage Restoration & Emergency Smoke Cleanup in Metro Detroit

What does fire damage restoration include?

Fire damage restoration is the full process of making a fire-damaged home or business safe, clean, and livable again. It covers securing the structure, removing water from firefighting, cleaning soot and smoke residue, eliminating odor, cleaning or replacing belongings, and rebuilding damaged areas, ideally with one company coordinating the work and the insurance claim.

At Revive, that means you have one point of contact from the first phone call to the final walkthrough. The crew that boards up your home is part of the same company that dries it out, cleans it, and rebuilds it, so nothing falls through the cracks between contractors.

How quickly should fire and smoke damage be cleaned up?

As soon as the fire department clears the building. Soot is acidic and starts discoloring and corroding surfaces within hours, and firefighting water begins soaking into drywall, insulation, and subfloors immediately. Waiting even a few days can turn cleanable surfaces into replacements and give mold a chance to start in wet areas.

That is why emergency fire cleanup starts with stabilization. Our crews are typically on site in under 1 hour, day or night, to board up openings, tarp the roof, start water extraction, and protect what can still be saved. If you are not sure what to do first, our guide on what to do after a house fire in Michigan walks through the first 48 hours.

What are the different types of smoke damage?

Smoke residue depends on what burned and how hot the fire was. Each type needs a different cleaning method, and identifying it correctly is the first step in removing it without making stains worse. Most house fires leave more than one type, so technicians test surfaces room by room.

• Dry smoke comes from fast, hot fires burning paper and wood. It leaves a powdery residue that is easier to remove but slips into cracks and porous materials.
• Wet smoke comes from slow, smoldering fires burning plastics and rubber. It is sticky, smears easily, and carries a strong odor.
• Protein residue comes from burned food, usually in kitchen fires. It is nearly invisible but discolors paint and cabinets and leaves a lingering smell.
• Fuel or oil soot comes from furnace puff-backs and petroleum products. It is thick, black, and needs specialized cleaners.

How is smoke odor removed for good?

Smoke odor is removed by eliminating its source, not by covering it. That means cleaning every affected surface, cleaning HVAC ductwork, removing materials that cannot be deodorized such as some insulation and carpet pad, and then treating the structure with hydroxyl generators or thermal fogging to break down odor molecules embedded in building materials.

If odor returns after a few warm days, something was missed. We would rather do the work in the right order once than have you live with a smell that keeps coming back.

Do you restore homes after electrical fires?

Yes. Electrical fires often start inside walls, ceilings, or panels, so the visible damage can be smaller than the real damage. We open affected areas to find hidden charring and smoke travel, clean or remove damaged materials, and coordinate with a licensed electrician so wiring is repaired and inspected before walls are closed.

Electrical fires also tend to burn plastic wire insulation, which leaves the sticky, strong-smelling wet smoke residue described above. Cleaning that residue from nearby rooms, ductwork, and contents is a big part of the job.

Who handles the water damage from putting out the fire?

We do, as part of the same job. Water from fire hoses and sprinklers is contaminated and spreads into walls, floors, and lower levels. Our team extracts it, removes soaked materials that cannot be dried, and dries the structure with commercial equipment, the same process used in our water and flood restoration service.

This is why many fire jobs are really fire and water damage restoration jobs. Treating the water quickly also lowers the risk of mold growing behind walls while the fire repairs are underway.

Can my belongings be cleaned after a fire?

Many can. Furniture, clothing, electronics, dishes, documents, and keepsakes are often restorable with professional cleaning and deodorizing. We inventory items before they leave your home, pack them out, clean them off site, and store them until your home is ready, through our contents cleaning and restoration service.

Before you throw anything out, let a contents specialist look at it. A clear inventory also supports your personal property claim.

Who rebuilds my home after the cleanup?

Our own team does. Revive holds a Michigan builder's license, so the company that cleaned your home can also replace drywall, insulation, framing, flooring, cabinets, and finishes under the same contract. You avoid hiring and scheduling a separate general contractor, and the insurance scope stays consistent from cleanup through rebuild construction.

How do you help with the fire insurance claim?

We document the damage with photos and a detailed scope of work, meet with your adjuster, and bill your insurance company directly. We work with all major carriers. Fire is a covered peril under virtually all standard Michigan homeowners policies, though your specific coverage, deductible, and limits depend on your policy.

Call your insurer to open the claim, then call us. Keep receipts for any emergency expenses such as hotel stays, since loss-of-use coverage may reimburse them.

Where do you provide fire damage restoration?

We serve homes and businesses across Metro Detroit from our office in Farmington Hills, including Oakland County communities like Troy, Novi, Royal Oak, Southfield, and Rochester Hills; Macomb County communities like Sterling Heights, Warren, and Clinton Township; and Wayne County communities like Livonia. Not sure if you are in our area? Contact us or call (248) 372-1930.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Damage Restoration