Most house fires start small, in a kitchen, a dryer or an overloaded outlet. In Houston, long hot summers, hurricane season power outages and the occasional hard freeze add their own risks. After the fire is out, smoke, soot and firefighting water keep doing damage until the home is cleaned and dried.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent fire damage restoration provider that serves the Houston area, where one is available for your ZIP code. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Fire risks in Houston
Cooking and everyday fires
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States. Kitchen fires often leave heavy, greasy smoke residue on cabinets, walls and ceilings.
Storm season outages
Hurricanes and tropical storms can knock out power for days. Portable generators, candles and fuel stored in garages all raise the risk of fire.
Hard freezes
During the February 2021 winter storm, many Houston homes used space heaters and fireplaces for long periods, which raises the risk of fire.
Heat and humidity
In Houston’s humid air, water left behind by firefighting dries slowly, so mold can follow a fire if the home is not dried properly.
Areas across Houston
Sifixit connects callers across the city of Houston, including neighborhoods such as the Heights, Montrose, Meyerland, Memorial, Kingwood and Clear Lake, and in nearby cities such as Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, Katy, Cypress, Spring and The Woodlands.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in Houston. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses, and availability depends on your ZIP code and the job.
Permits and local rules
Cleanup itself does not usually need a permit, but the repairs that follow often do. Inside the city of Houston, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the City of Houston Permitting Center. Homes in other cities, such as Pasadena, Pearland or Sugar Land, follow the rules of that city or county.
Texas regulates mold work through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. If smoke or firefighting water leads to mold, larger remediation jobs must be done by a licensed company.
Seasonal risks in Houston
Do not go back inside after a fire until the fire department says it is safe. If you smell gas or see smoke, leave and call 911.
- Summer: heavy air conditioning use puts strain on older wiring.
- Hurricane season: outages bring generator, candle and fuel risks.
- Winter: space heaters and fireplaces see the most use.
- All year: cooking stays the most common cause of home fires.
Be prepared
- Test smoke alarms every month and replace batteries once a year
- Run portable generators outside, well away from doors and windows
- Keep space heaters three feet from anything that can burn
- Clean the dryer lint trap after every load
- Keep a photo record of each room for insurance
Learn more before you call
Our main fire damage restoration guide explains the warning signs, what affects the cost, what you can safely handle yourself and the questions to ask before you hire. It applies in Houston just as it does everywhere else.
Houston questions
Does homeowners insurance cover fire damage in Houston?
Most standard homeowners policies cover accidental fire, and many pay for somewhere to stay while the home is repaired. Read your policy and keep every receipt.
Why does my house have water damage after a fire?
Firefighters use a lot of water. In Houston’s humid climate it dries slowly, so it should be removed and dried quickly to prevent mold.
Can I stay in my home after a fire?
Not always. If the fire department or the power company says the home is unsafe, you will need to stay elsewhere until repairs are made.
Does Sifixit have an office in Houston?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the Houston area.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.