Fire & smoke damage · Emergency service
Fire & Smoke Damage in Chicago, IL
Fire damage restoration covers securing the property, removing water from firefighting, cleaning soot from surfaces and contents, removing smoke odor, and rebuilding what burned. Smoke spreads far beyond the flames, so most of the work is cleaning.
Fire & Smoke Damage in Chicago: local conditions
Partner coverage for fire and smoke damage in Chicago currently includes 32 ZIP codes: 60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60610, 60611, 60613, 60614, 60618, 60625, 60630, 60631, 60634, 60638, 60640, 60641, 60642, 60645, 60646, 60647, 60651, 60652, 60654, 60655, 60656, 60657, 60659, 60660, 60661. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
The Chicago bungalow belt and two-flats have basements with floor drains connected to combined sewers. Older homes have clay or cast-iron laterals.
Licensing in Illinois: Illinois doesn't license general contractors statewide, but roofers are licensed by the state and many cities, including Chicago, license contractors locally. Ask for local licenses and insurance.
What you can expect
- One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- Fast call-back during business hours
- Serving Chicago, IL
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Fire & Smoke Damage at a glance
- Category
- Fire & smoke damage
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Secure the property
- Area
- Chicago, IL
Other risks in Chicago
Basement sewer backups
Intense rain overwhelms the combined sewer system, sending water and sewage into basements. Backwater valves and overhead sewers are common fixes.
Frozen pipes
Polar-vortex events, like January 2019, freeze pipes in exterior walls and garages.
Lake Michigan shoreline
High lake levels and storms have eroded the shoreline and flooded lakefront buildings.
Two-flat plumbing
Chicago two-flats and three-flats stack kitchens and bathrooms, so a leak in the upper unit runs into the unit below and often into the basement.
Signs you need fire & smoke damage
- Black or gray film on walls, ceilings and windows
- Smoke odor that returns on warm or humid days
- Water damage from firefighting
How the work is done
Secure the property, then Remove water, then Clean soot and smoke, then Remove odor, then Restore and rebuild. See the full fire & smoke damage process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in Chicago quote after an assessment. The main drivers are how much area is affected, how long it stayed wet, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. See the full list of fire & smoke damage cost factors.
Fire & Smoke Damage questions
Is sewer backup covered by insurance in Chicago?
Usually only with a sewer or drain backup endorsement, which many Chicago homeowners add.
Do I need a permit for repairs in Chicago?
Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the Chicago Department of Buildings, and contractors need Chicago licenses.
Can I clean soot myself?
Light dry soot in a small area sometimes can be, but wiping often smears it deeper. Larger areas, oily soot and anything involving odor are best left to professionals with the right cleaning methods.
Does homeowners insurance cover smoke damage from a wildfire?
Usually yes, even if the fire didn't reach your home. Document the damage, including ash and odor, and report it to your insurer quickly.
Other services in Chicago
Fire & Smoke Damage in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in Chicago, or see fire & smoke damage nationwide.
Related services
Fire damage restoration
Fire damage restoration secures the property, removes debris, cleans soot from surfaces and contents, removes smoke odor, dries water left by firefighting, and repairs the structure.
Learn more
Smoke odor removal
Smoke odor removal works by cleaning the residue that causes the smell, then neutralizing what's left with thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators or ozone, and sealing surfaces that still hold odor.
Learn moreSoot cleanup
Soot cleanup removes the oily or dry carbon residue left by fire, furnace puffbacks or candles, using dry chemical sponges and HEPA vacuums before any wet cleaning.
Learn moreWater, mold or fire damage? Get the right crew on it.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Fast call-back during business hours.