After the fire trucks leave a Reno home, what remains is a structure that is wet from suppression water, coated in acidic soot and saturated with smoke odor, often with openings to the weather. Water Restoration connects you with local fire damage restoration crews that secure the property, remove the water, clean the soot, eliminate the odor and rebuild.
Properties in Reno (Washoe County) range over a huge range of property types, from century-old homes to new construction, mid-rise apartments and office and retail space. Late summer and fall bring wildfire smoke and structure fire risk, while kitchen fires remain the leading cause year-round.
Fire and smoke damage we handle in Reno
The risks in Reno in Washoe County are shaped by Nevada's climate and housing. Nevada's desert washes turn into flash floods during monsoon downpours, but day to day most water damage in Las Vegas and Reno comes from failed supply lines, water heaters, slab leaks and air-conditioning condensate in homes built on slabs. Wildfire smoke affects the north of the state most summers. Problems tend to peak during summer monsoon and peak cooling season, but plumbing failures and appliance leaks happen in every month of the year.
- Smoke damage from a fire in a neighboring home or apartment unit
- Grill and outdoor cooking fires that spread to siding and decks
- Wildfire smoke, ash and soot infiltration, and structure fires at the wildland edge
- Small fires that were extinguished quickly but filled the house with smoke
- Grass and brush fires that spread to fences, outbuildings and homes
- Garage, workshop and vehicle fires
- Clothes dryer lint fires
- Candle and holiday decoration fires
Why fire damage gets worse by the day
Three forms of damage continue after the flames are out. Soot residue corrodes and stains surfaces progressively. Odor molecules migrate deeper into porous materials. And suppression water, often hundreds of gallons, swells, delaminates and eventually grows mold in everything it touched. Early stabilization changes what can be saved.
Emergency services on the first visit typically include board-up and tarping, water extraction, HEPA air filtration, protection of unaffected areas and an initial inventory of contents, with full cleaning and reconstruction following.
From board-up to rebuild
- Dispatch and assessment. A local crew confirms the property is safe to enter and plans the stabilization.
- Securing the structure. Broken openings are boarded, damaged roofing tarped and the site secured.
- Suppression water cleanup. Extraction and drying equipment address the water left by firefighting.
- Structural cleaning. Walls, ceilings, cabinets, fixtures and the HVAC system are cleaned using methods chosen for wet, dry or protein smoke.
- Contents inventory, pack-out and cleaning. Salvageable belongings are documented, cleaned on or off site and stored; non-salvageable items are listed for the claim.
- Odor removal with thermal fogging, hydroxyl or ozone and sealing of structural surfaces, followed by full reconstruction.
What can be saved after a fire in Reno
More than most people expect. Glass, ceramics, metal and sealed wood clean well. Many textiles are restorable with specialty laundering and ozone. Electronics that were not exposed to heat can often be cleaned and tested, and documents and photos can be freeze-dried. Items generally not salvageable include food and medicine exposed to heat or smoke, melted plastics, mattresses, particleboard furniture and heavily sooted drywall and insulation.
What fire damage restoration costs in Reno and what insurance covers
The cost of fire damage restoration depends on the size of the fire, the type of smoke residue, how far it traveled through the building and how much of the structure and contents can be cleaned rather than replaced.
Fire is a named peril on standard policies. Expect the claim to involve a structural estimate, a contents inventory and, if you cannot stay in the home, additional living expense coverage.
Get the scope and pricing in writing, ask what the carrier typically covers, and keep every receipt for emergency expenses.
Reno neighborhoods and ZIP codes covered
We route calls from all 24 Reno ZIP codes, including 89501, 89502, 89503 to restoration companies that work Reno and Washoe County every week.
ZIP codes served in Reno: 89501, 89502, 89503, 89504, 89505, 89506, 89507, 89508, 89509, 89510, 89511, 89512 and 12 more.
The same crews also serve nearby communities including Sun Valley (5 mi), Sparks (5 mi), Verdi (9 mi), Virginia City (19 mi), Washoe Valley (19 mi), Incline Village (21 mi), Silver City (21 mi), Dayton (23 mi), Crystal Bay (24 mi) and Carson City (26 mi). If you are just outside Reno, call anyway; coverage areas overlap.
Why Reno property owners call Water Restoration
- One number covers water, fire, smoke, mold, sewage and biohazard emergencies
- You can ask about licensing, insurance and IICRC certification before any work begins, and you should
- You are connected with a restoration company that actually serves Reno, not a national call center that will call you back tomorrow
- Calls are answered 24 hours a day, including nights, weekends and holidays
- The companies we work with deal with insurance adjusters daily and can bill covered mitigation directly to your carrier
Fire Damage in Reno: FAQs
Can smoke smell be removed completely?
Yes, when the sources are addressed: removing heavily contaminated materials, cleaning everything else including ducts, sealing structural surfaces and treating air and cavities with thermal fogging or hydroxyl. Painting over smoke without cleaning and sealing rarely works.
Will insurance pay for a hotel while my house is repaired?
Most homeowners policies include additional living expense coverage for temporary housing and extra costs while the home is uninhabitable, up to the policy limit. Keep every receipt.
Can I choose my own restoration contractor?
In nearly all cases, yes. Be cautious of anyone who shows up uninvited at a fire scene. Take the time to call a company you have vetted and get the scope in writing.
What about the water the fire department used?
Suppression water is removed and the structure dried as part of the restoration. Left in place it causes swelling, delamination and mold within days, compounding the fire damage.
Is it safe to clean up soot myself?
Light soot on hard surfaces can be dry-sponged, but wet cleaning usually smears it deeper, and soot is a respiratory irritant that may carry toxic combustion byproducts. Significant soot or any odor problem is best handled professionally.