Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration

The 72-Hour Window

Many homeowners don't realize that the damage from a house fire continues long after the fire is extinguished. The combustion process releases corrosive by-products — including acidic soot particles, chlorine gases from burning plastics, and other chemical compounds — that settle on every surface in your home. These compounds are highly corrosive and begin permanently etching materials within as few as 72 hours.

Aluminum, chrome, marble, tile, and glass surfaces that appear merely soiled immediately after a fire can suffer irreversible pitting and etching if not treated quickly. This is why our fire damage response teams prioritize emergency pre-cleaning and corrosion mitigation as their first action upon arrival — before any other work begins.

Our Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Process

Emergency Pre-Cleaning & Corrosion Mitigation

Within hours of your call, our team begins emergency pre-cleaning of surfaces most vulnerable to corrosive damage — aluminum fixtures, chrome fittings, mirrors, appliances, marble and tile surfaces. This critical first step protects items that could be permanently damaged within 72 hours, dramatically reducing the total replacement cost of the fire loss.

Building Stabilization & Security

If structural damage has compromised the integrity or security of your home, we immediately arrange emergency board-up, roof tarping, and temporary fencing to protect the property from weather, vandalism, and unauthorized access. This protects both your remaining belongings and your insurance claim.

Content Pack-Out & Inventory

Salvageable belongings are carefully inventoried, packed, and transported to our secure facility for specialized cleaning. This includes clothing, furniture, electronics, artwork, documents, and personal items. Our content specialists use ultrasonic cleaning, ozone treatment, and other advanced techniques to restore items you might assume are lost. Every item is documented for insurance purposes — whether restored or deemed non-restorable.

Structural Cleaning

Walls, ceilings, floors, and structural elements are thoroughly cleaned of soot and smoke residue. We use specific cleaning methods for different surface types — dry sponge cleaning for light smoke, chemical sponge cleaning for heavy soot, and wet cleaning for washable surfaces. HVAC ductwork is cleaned and sealed to prevent smoke odour recirculation.

Advanced Deodorization

Smoke odour molecules penetrate deep into porous materials including framing lumber, drywall, insulation, and subfloors. Surface cleaning alone does not eliminate smoke odour. We deploy thermal fogging equipment — which replicates the penetrating action of smoke in reverse — along with ozone and hydroxyl generation to eliminate odour molecules at the molecular level throughout the entire structure.

Full Structural Restoration

Once cleaning and deodorization are complete, our licensed reconstruction team undertakes all necessary structural repairs — from replacing fire-damaged framing to complete room rebuilds. We manage all trades, pull all permits, and coordinate every phase of reconstruction with your insurance adjuster. Our goal is to return your home to its exact pre-loss condition.

Surfaces We Specialize In Restoring

Soot and smoke residue affects every surface differently. Our technicians are trained in the specific cleaning requirements of each material type:

Metals

Aluminum, chrome, copper, and steel fixtures require immediate corrosion-mitigation treatment. Untreated, acidic soot permanently pits and tarnishes these surfaces.

Stone & Tile

Marble, granite, ceramic and porcelain tile can be etched by smoke acids. We use pH-balanced cleaning agents matched to each stone type.

Glass

Soot-etched glass can become permanently clouded. Prompt cleaning with specialized glass-safe products restores clarity before permanent etching occurs.

Upholstery & Carpets

Fabric surfaces absorb smoke odour deeply. We use hot water extraction, dry cleaning, and ozone treatment to restore soft furnishings and flooring.

Painted Surfaces

Walls and ceilings require chemical sponge or wet cleaning depending on soot type and paint finish, followed by KILZ primer and repainting.

Wood & Cabinetry

Wood surfaces are porous and absorb smoke. Specialized wood cleaners and sealers prevent smoke odour from migrating through new paint or finishes.

Do's & Don'ts After a House Fire

Do

Call ServiceMaster immediately — 778-770-1311
Ventilate the home if safe to do so by opening windows and doors
Change HVAC filters and keep the system running to filter soot from the air
Limit movement through the home to prevent tracking soot into unaffected areas
Photograph all damage before anything is moved or cleaned, for insurance purposes
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
Keep all damaged goods — don't throw anything away until the insurance adjuster has assessed the loss

Don't

Don't attempt to clean soot yourself — improper cleaning can set stains permanently
Don't turn on electronics that were exposed to smoke until they have been professionally cleaned
Don't use ceiling fans — this can spread soot particles throughout unaffected areas
Don't eat or drink food that was in the home during the fire
Don't clean walls or ceilings without guidance — you can smear and set soot
Don't send smoke-damaged clothing through the washing machine — heat can set smoke odour
Don't re-enter a structurally damaged home until cleared by the fire marshal

Fire Prevention Tips

Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home, including inside every bedroom and outside sleeping areas; test them monthly
Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it
Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned at least once per year
Never leave cooking food unattended on the stovetop
Keep portable heaters at least 1 metre away from combustibles and never leave them running unattended
Don't overload electrical outlets or use extension cords as permanent wiring solutions
Replace electrical devices with damaged or fraying cords immediately
Store flammable materials (gasoline, paint thinners) in approved containers in a detached outbuilding
Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two exits from every room
In wildfire-prone areas, maintain a defensible space by clearing dry vegetation from around your home

Frequently Asked Questions

Can smoke damage to items outside the burned room be restored?

Yes — smoke travels throughout a home via air currents and HVAC systems, meaning rooms far from the fire origin can sustain significant smoke and odour damage. The entire home needs to be assessed, not just the room where the fire occurred. We regularly restore items and surfaces from rooms with no visible fire damage that nonetheless have heavy smoke contamination.

How long does fire damage restoration take?

Emergency mitigation — pre-cleaning, board-up, content pack-out — begins within hours and typically takes 2–5 days depending on the size of the loss. Full structural restoration can take weeks to months, again depending on the extent of damage. We provide a detailed timeline during our initial assessment and keep you updated throughout the process.

Will my homeowner's insurance cover fire damage?

Fire damage is covered under virtually all standard homeowner's insurance policies. We work directly with your insurance adjuster and provide full documentation of all damage — making the claims process as smooth as possible. We can also help you understand what is and isn't covered under your specific policy.

Do I have to move out during fire damage restoration?

For any significant fire, temporary displacement is typically required — both for your safety (structural concerns, air quality) and to allow restoration work to proceed efficiently. Your homeowner's insurance should include Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage that pays for temporary accommodation. We can help coordinate this through your insurance adjuster.