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24-hour emergency response · Portland, Oregon

Fire and smoke damage restoration in Portland

Most of what a fire ruins, it ruins after it's out. Soot keeps eating finishes, smoke moves into anything porous, and the water from the fire hoses soaks the rest. We secure the house, clean it properly, and rebuild.

Call 971-940-4528

Fire and smoke

What we do after a fire

Step 1

Secure the house

Board-up of broken windows and doors, and a tarp on the roof, so rain and break-ins don't add to the loss.

Step 2

Remove what's burned

Charred and unsound material comes out. Everything is photographed for your claim.

Step 3

Handle the water

Water from the fire hoses is extracted and the structure is dried, at the same time as the smoke work.

Step 4

Clean soot and odor

Soot cleaned off surfaces, framing and contents. Odor removed by cleaning first; sealing over soot just traps the smell.

Check the ducts

Furnace and ductwork
If the furnace ran during or after the fire, soot is in the ducts. Every time the heat comes on it pushes the smell back through the house.
Contents
Clothing, furniture and electronics each need a different cleaning process. Some can be saved; some can't.
Small kitchen fires
Even a grease fire that's out in a minute can leave a film of soot on every cabinet.

Right after a fire: do

  • Stay out until the fire department says the building is safe.
  • Keep foot traffic down; lay sheets over paths you have to walk.
  • Change the furnace filter before the heat runs again.
  • Empty the fridge and freezer if the power is off.

Don't

  • Wipe walls, ceilings or furniture. It grinds soot in.
  • Turn on lights, fans or appliances near the fire.
  • Eat food or take medicine that sat near the heat or smoke.
  • Send smoky clothes to a regular dry cleaner.

Smoke damage you might not see

Questions

Fire and smoke damage restoration: common questions

Can smoke odor be removed completely?

In most homes, yes, when the soot is cleaned off rather than covered up. Porous items that absorbed heavy smoke sometimes can't be saved.

Do I need professional cleanup for a small fire?

Often. Soot is oily and acidic, spreads well past the burned area, and wiping it smears it into finishes.

Do you do the rebuilding too?

Yes. We hold the Oregon general contractor endorsement, so the cleanup and the rebuild are one company and one phone number.

Can I stay in my home during fire restoration?

It depends on the damage, the smell and whether utilities are safe. We'll tell you on the first visit.

Serving Portland and the metro

Within about an hour's drive of our office at 830 NE Holladay Street. Just outside the list? Call anyway.

Other services

One number, any hour.

Restoring Northwest Services LLC · Licensed, bonded, insured · Oregon CCB 258376

Call 971-940-4528