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
-
Tell us what happened. 30 seconds - what burned and how far the smoke got.
-
You're connected with a local restoration crew while you're on the line.
-
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 Hillsborough County
Tampa runs on daily summer thunderstorms and the hurricane cone - wind-driven rain through soffits and sliders, storm surge in the flood zones, and a water table that gives runoff nowhere to go. The CBS slab housing stock hides supply lines under concrete, and in this humidity wet drywall starts growing mold in 24 to 48 hours.
Florida policies may have a separate hurricane deductible. Whether it applies depends on the storm and the statutory hurricane period. Check your policy. Storm surge is flood insurance, not homeowner's, no matter what the hurricane did above the waterline. Everyday failures use your standard deductible.
Serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Largo, and all of Hillsborough 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.