Signs you need a crew now
- Soot film on walls, counters, or electronics
- Smoke smell that returns every time the HVAC kicks on
- A kitchen, garage, or nearby-structure fire - even a small one
- Scratchy throat or headaches indoors since the smoke
What happens when you call
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Tell us what happened. 30 seconds - what burned and how far the smoke got.
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You're connected with a local restoration crew while you're on the line.
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The crew confirms timing and sets your arrival time with you directly.
Why airing it out doesn't work
Smoke odor isn't in the air - it's in the drywall, insulation, carpet, and ductwork. Open windows dilute it for an afternoon; the materials keep releasing it for months.
Crews clean soot before it permanently etches finishes, then neutralize odor at the source - HEPA air scrubbing, thermal fogging or ozone treatment, and duct cleaning where the smoke traveled.
Local to Suffolk County
Boston winters write the playbook: ice dams pond meltwater under roof shingles until it finds the ceiling, and deep freezes burst pipes in triple-decker walls that were never insulated to modern standards. The housing stock is old - original galvanized lines, plaster walls that hold moisture - and spring thaws push groundwater into stone-foundation basements.
Northern policies cover sudden freeze-burst pipes as long as the home was reasonably heated - and ice-dam water damage to the interior is typically covered even though the roof maintenance itself may not be. Sewer and sump backup need their own endorsement.
Serving Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy, Newton, Brookline, and all of Suffolk County.
Smoke & odor questions
The fire was small - do I really need this?
Small fires make a surprising amount of smoke, and soot is acidic - it keeps damaging finishes and electronics until it's cleaned. An inspection tells you how far it actually traveled.
Is smoke damage covered by insurance?
Typically yes. Smoke damage from a fire is usually covered, including cleaning, soot removal, and odor treatment, subject to your limits and deductible - check your declarations page for those. Ask the contractor about documentation and coordination with your adjuster.
Can clothes and furniture be saved?
Usually - fabrics go through specialized ozone or wash treatment, and solid furniture cleans up well. Heavily charred or melted items are documented for the claim instead.