Fire & smoke damage · Emergency service
Fire & Smoke Damage in St. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis: local conditions
Partner coverage for fire and smoke damage in St. Louis currently includes 39 ZIP codes: 63101, 63103, 63104, 63105, 63108, 63109, 63110, 63111, 63112, 63114, 63116, 63117, 63118, 63119, 63121, 63122, 63123, 63124, 63125, 63126, 63127, 63128, 63129, 63130, 63131, 63132, 63133, 63134, 63135, 63136, 63137, 63138, 63139, 63140, 63141, 63143, 63144, 63146, 63155. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Record rainfall on July 26, 2022 flooded homes and streets across St. Louis.
Brick homes with basements dominate, many with clay sewer laterals and floor drains connected to combined sewers. South City's brick homes and flats from the late 1800s to the 1930s have deep basements, original clay laterals and limestone or brick foundations that seep during heavy rain. Many are owner-occupied two-family flats, so leaks between floors are common.
Licensing in Missouri: Missouri doesn't license general contractors statewide. Cities and counties, including St. Louis and Kansas City, license contractors locally.
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 St. Louis, MO
- 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
- St. Louis, MO
Other risks in St. Louis
Basement sewer backups
Combined sewers in older neighborhoods back up into basements during heavy rain.
River flooding
The Mississippi and Missouri rivers flood low-lying areas, as in the great flood of 1993.
Brick home basements
St. Louis's brick homes almost all have basements with floor drains connected to the sewer, which back up during heavy storms.
River des Peres
The River des Peres, which carries both stormwater and sewage, overflows in heavy rain and floods nearby neighborhoods.
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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis?
Usually only with a sewer or water backup endorsement.
Do I need a permit for repairs in St. Louis?
Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the City of St. Louis Building Division.
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 St. Louis
Fire & Smoke Damage in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in St. Louis, 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.