Fire & smoke damage · Emergency service
Fire & Smoke Damage in Memphis, TN
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 Memphis: local conditions
Partner coverage for fire and smoke damage in Memphis currently includes 61 ZIP codes: 37501, 37544, 38088, 38101, 38103, 38104, 38105, 38106, 38107, 38108, 38109, 38111, 38112, 38113, 38114, 38115, 38116, 38117, 38118, 38119, 38120, 38122, 38124, 38125, 38126, 38127, 38128, 38130, 38131, 38132, 38133, 38134, 38135, 38136, 38137, 38141, 38145, 38148, 38150, 38151, 38152, 38157, 38159, 38161, 38163, 38166, 38168, 38173, 38174, 38175, 38177, 38181, 38182, 38184, 38186, 38187, 38188, 38190, 38193, 38194, 38197. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Heavy rain floods low streets and creeks like Nonconnah Creek.
Midtown and Cooper-Young have early-1900s bungalows and craftsman homes on crawlspaces with aging plumbing, while East Memphis and Whitehaven have post-war brick ranch homes. Many Midtown homes have been updated over the years, but original crawlspace plumbing is still common.
Licensing in Tennessee: Tennessee requires contractors on projects of $25,000 or more to be licensed by the Board for Licensing Contractors. Home improvement work in some counties needs a separate home improvement license.
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 Memphis, TN
- 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
- Memphis, TN
Other risks in Memphis
Severe storms
Spring and late-fall storms bring tornadoes, straight-line winds and falling trees.
Freezes
The February 2021 freeze burst pipes across Memphis and stressed the water system.
Crawlspace moisture
Humid summers keep crawlspaces damp, causing mold and wood rot.
Mississippi River levels
Very high Mississippi River levels, as in 2011, flood low areas near the river and its tributaries, including parts of the Wolf River and Nonconnah Creek basins.
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 Memphis 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
Do I need a permit for repairs in Memphis?
Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from Memphis and Shelby County Code Enforcement.
How do I verify a Tennessee contractor?
Search the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors for projects of $25,000 or more.
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.
Related pages
Other services in Memphis
Fire & Smoke Damage in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in Memphis, 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.