If smoke or soot spread through your College Station home, keep people out of the worst rooms and don’t wipe the residue. Call (855) 727-0147 and we’ll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves College Station to assess the smoke, soot and odor.
What to do in the first 24 hours in College Station
- Wait for the all-clear. Don’t go back inside until the College Station Fire Department says it is safe (USFA). The department’s non-emergency number is 979-764-3700 (the non-emergency line).
- Call your insurer and write down the claim number. Photograph and film every room before anything is moved (TDI claim tips).
- Don’t wipe or scrub soot. It is oily and smears. If you vacuum loose soot, hold the nozzle above the surface and skip brush attachments (UF/IFAS).
- Turn off the heating and cooling system until it is checked, and change the filter. Running it can spread soot through the house.
- Ventilate if it is safe. Open windows and run fans when weather allows.
- Leave utilities off. If firefighters shut off power, gas or water, don’t turn them back on yourself. Call College Station Utilities at 855-528-4278 about the electric service.
- Throw out exposed food. Food exposed to flames or fumes should be discarded, even in cans or the fridge (USDA).
- Bag smoky clothing but don’t wash it until your adjuster has seen it, unless the restoration company advises otherwise.
Local numbers to keep handy in College Station
| Who | Why you might call | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Fire, injury or gas leak | 911 |
| College Station Fire Department (non-emergency) | Re-entry questions, fire report | 979-764-3700 |
| College Station Utilities | Power outage or reconnection questions | 855-528-4278 |
| Atmos Energy (gas emergencies) | Gas smell, gas service after damage | 866-322-8667 |
| College Station Planning & Development Services | Permits and inspections for repairs | 979-764-3570 |
| American Red Cross | Emergency help after a home fire | 1-800-733-2767 |
| Texas Department of Insurance | Help with an insurance claim | 800-252-3439 |
What smoke damage restoration involves
Smoke restoration targets residue you can see and odor you can’t. A typical job looks like this:
| Stage | What happens | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Residue assessment | The crew identifies dry soot, wet or protein residue, or fuel residue, and tests surfaces. | First visit |
| Dry soot removal | Vacuuming and dry chemical sponges lift loose soot before anything wet touches it. | Early in the job |
| Washing and degreasing | Cleaners matched to each residue and surface remove what is left. | Days, depending on room count |
| HVAC cleaning | Ducts and equipment are inspected and cleaned so they don’t recirculate residue. | Before the system runs full time |
| Odor treatment | Sources are removed first, then deodorizing such as thermal fogging or ozone in an empty home. | Often several rounds |
| Seal and repaint | Stain-blocking sealer stops odor and stains bleeding through new paint. | Near the end |
What it typically costs
Smoke jobs are priced from the scope. The biggest cost drivers are:
- How far smoke traveled and how many rooms need cleaning.
- The type of residue. Protein and fuel residue take more labor than dry soot.
- Whether the HVAC system and ducts need cleaning.
- How many belongings and textiles need cleaning or deodorizing.
- Sealing and repainting.
Ozone treatments mean the house must be empty. The EPA warns ozone can damage the lungs and should only be used where no people or pets are exposed (EPA).
How does insurance work for smoke damage restoration in Texas?
Your adjuster decides what your policy covers. The restoration company documents the damage and writes the estimate the adjuster reviews. It can’t negotiate your claim for you.
- Timelines: insurers have 15 business days to acknowledge a claim, then 15 business days to accept or deny it after receiving what they need. They can take 45 more days if they explain why (TDI).
- What to photograph: every affected room, the source of the damage and damaged belongings, before cleanup.
- What the restorer documents: photos, moisture readings or residue notes, a written scope and an itemized estimate.
- Deductible: you pay it. Texas law bars contractors from offering to waive, rebate or absorb it. A contractor also can’t act as your public adjuster (TDI: know the law).
- Living expenses: if covered damage makes the home unlivable, additional living expenses coverage may pay for a hotel and meals (TDI).
Problems with a claim? Call the Texas Department of Insurance help line at 800-252-3439 or file a complaint.
What’s specific to College Station?
- Electric service for fans and air scrubbers. Restoration equipment draws a lot of power. College Station Utilities handles service in College Station: outages 855-528-4278, customer service 979-764-3535 (utility website).
- Most homes are rentals. Only 35.4% of College Station’s occupied homes are owner-occupied (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 estimate), so landlords and tenants often deal with the same damage. Single-family and small multiplex rentals must be registered with the city (City of College Station).
- Permits for repairs after smoke damage. College Station lists additions and remodels, roofing, foundation work and water heaters among residential work that needs a permit. Repairing gas piping needs a plumbing permit. Call College Station Planning & Development Services at 979-764-3570.
- Gas appliances. Atmos Energy serves College Station. If a furnace or water heater was near the fire or is coated in soot, have it checked before relighting. Call Atmos at 866-322-8667 if you smell gas (Atmos Energy).
How getting help works
When you call or send the form, we connect you with an independent restoration company that serves your area. They inspect, document the damage and give you a written scope — you decide whether to hire them.
Questions to ask the company that comes out
- Which IICRC certifications does the lead technician hold (for example WRT, FSRT, OCT or AMRT)?
- Do you carry general liability and workers’ comp insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Will I get a written scope of work before anything starts?
- Who will talk with my insurance adjuster, and what will you send them?
- If mold is involved: what is your TDLR mold remediation license number, and who did the independent mold assessment?
Frequently asked questions
For more than light, dry soot in one area, usually yes. Greasy or protein residue and lingering odor need methods most households don’t have.
Rarely. Odor sits in fabrics, insulation, ducts and porous surfaces. It usually needs the residue removed and then deodorizing.
No. The EPA says ozone can damage the lungs. High-level ozone should only be used in an empty building, with people and pets kept out.
Tell your landlord in writing. The building is usually the owner’s responsibility, while your belongings depend on your own renters policy.
Not until it is checked. Smoke and soot get pulled into the system and can spread through the house.
Related help nearby
- Fire, smoke and water damage help in College Station
- Fire Damage Restoration in College Station
- Water Damage Restoration in College Station
- Flood Damage Cleanup in College Station
- Mold Remediation in College Station
- Smoke Damage Restoration in Bryan
- Smoke Damage Restoration: the full guide
Get connected with a local restoration company
Free. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (855) 727-0147.