Fire & Smoke
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
Fire and smoke damage can affect more than what you see. Clean Save Restoration responds quickly to assess damage, stabilize affected areas, and help you recover.
After the fire is out, the real work begins.
Fire damage is rarely just about the fire. Smoke and soot continue damaging your home long after the flames are gone - acidic residue etching finishes, smoke odor settling into porous materials, water from firefighting saturating drywall and subfloor. The first 24 hours after a fire are when most secondary damage happens.
We respond fast for emergency board-up, then handle soot removal, structural cleaning, odor neutralization, water damage from firefighting, and direct insurance coordination - all in one place. You deal with us directly, not a call center or subcontractor handoff.
Our Full Fire Damage Process
Start to finish, what actually happens.
Every step we take after a fire, in the order we take it. This is the same process whether it is a small kitchen fire or a complete structure loss - scope just scales up.
See the full step-by-step process
Emergency call & dispatch
You call 253-553-6435. We answer 24/7. We get the address, the type of fire (kitchen, electrical, structure, vehicle that hit the house, etc.), and current safety status. A crew is dispatched immediately.
On the way, we confirm board-up materials needed and notify your insurance carrier if you have already opened a claim.
Emergency board-up & tarping
The first priority is preventing further damage. Windows, doors, and roof openings from the fire (or firefighting) get boarded up. Roof breaches get tarped. Open structure gets temporarily secured against weather and theft.
This is not pretty work, it is fast work. We use plywood and tarps as designed - to keep the property safe and weatherproof until full restoration can begin.
Damage assessment & insurance documentation
Detailed walk-through with photo and video documentation of every affected room, every surface, every item. We inventory damaged contents and identify what looks salvageable vs unsalvageable.
For insurance jobs: this documentation goes into Xactimate immediately - scope of work, photos, item lists. Your adjuster gets a clear picture from the start.
Water damage from firefighting
If the fire was suppressed with water (almost always), there is significant water damage to address. Extraction, drying setup, and dehumidification all start immediately - the same protocol as a water damage job, layered on top of the fire response.
Skipping this step is how fire damage becomes mold damage three weeks later.
Content inventory & pack-out (if needed)
Salvageable contents are inventoried and packed out for off-site cleaning - clothing, books, electronics, kitchenware. Items get tracked individually so nothing gets lost. We coordinate with you on what you need access to immediately and what can go to storage.
Unsalvageable items get documented (for insurance) and disposed of.
Soot & smoke residue removal
This is where the technical knowledge matters. Different surfaces need different cleaners. Wrong solvent + smoke residue = permanent etching. Wet vs dry cleaning depends on the type of soot (wet smoke from low-temp fires vs dry smoke from high-temp fires).
We use HEPA vacuums, dry-cleaning sponges, alkaline cleaners, solvents, and abrasive techniques - matched to each surface. Walls, ceilings, hard floors, trim, fixtures, cabinetry - all get the right approach.
Deep cleaning of structure & HVAC
Beyond visible soot, smoke residue settles into HVAC ductwork, behind walls, in attics. We HEPA-clean ductwork, replace filters, and address structural cavities where smoke residue has settled.
Insulation in affected areas typically has to be removed and replaced - smoke odor lives in insulation and cannot be cleaned out.
Odor neutralization
This is the step most homeowners worry about most - "will the smell really go away?" Yes, if done right. We use thermal fogging (heat-vaporized deodorizer that penetrates the same way smoke did), ozone or hydroxyl generators for porous materials, and HEPA air scrubbing to remove airborne particulates.
Different processes for different residual odors. Sometimes multiple treatments are needed. We verify with you before declaring odor work complete - if you can still smell it, the job is not done.
Final cleaning & clearance
Final HEPA vacuum and wipe-down. Verification that all affected surfaces are clean, all odors neutralized, all moisture levels back to baseline. Walk-through with you (and your adjuster if applicable).
Documentation packet finalized: photos before and after, item inventory, scope of work performed, all submitted to insurance in Xactimate.
Required by Washington State Law
Asbestos testing comes first — here's how we keep it moving.
Before we demolish anything, Washington State law requires an asbestos survey - on every home, whether yours was built in 1906 or yesterday. It is out of our hands, so we built our process around it instead of letting it hold up your job. Here is how it actually goes:
We collect the samples
Before any demolition, we take small samples from everywhere we plan to work - drywall, vinyl flooring, the mastic underneath, anything that will be disturbed - and drop them at the lab. Washington State law requires this on every home, new or old, so we just build it into the job.
We rush the lab and wait on results
Once the samples are at the lab, we put a rush on them. We will always work to get the results turned around as fast as possible, so the job keeps flowing smoothly.
Meanwhile, we prep the home
While the samples are at the lab, we get your home ready for demolition - setting up containment, laying floor protection, staging equipment - and start your insurance paperwork if that applies. The moment results are in, we are already set up and ready to go, so no time is lost.
One clarification: we are a mitigation company, not an asbestos abatement firm. Asbestos can show up randomly, and you will never know it is there until it is tested for. We take the necessary precautions to protect your home the right way, from start to finish. If a sample comes back positive, we schedule the abatement team to take care of it. This goes through your insurance as well, at no extra cost to you.
Smoke damage you can't see
The hardest part of fire restoration is the damage that isn't visible. Smoke residue settles into HVAC ductwork, behind walls, inside upholstery and clothing, and on every porous surface in the home. Without proper cleaning, that residue keeps releasing odor and acidic compounds for months.
DIY surface cleaning can actually make this worse - improper scrubbing pushes smoke residue deeper into materials, and the wrong chemicals can permanently etch finishes.
Salvageable vs. unsalvageable items
We are honest about what can and can't be saved. Many items that look ruined can be professionally cleaned - clothing, electronics, furniture, books, even some artwork. We inventory everything, photograph it, and give you a realistic assessment. We don't throw out anything that can be restored.
Just had a fire? Call us now.
The first 24 hours matter most. We respond fast for emergency board-up and damage assessment.
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Across the South Sound
Containment & Protection
Tight containment. A clean, livable home.
Restoration is messy work - but your home should never feel like a construction zone. Before we touch anything, we build clean, professional containment around the affected area so the rest of your house stays exactly that: the rest of your house.
Sealed, professional barriers
Poly sheeting and zipper-door entries seal the work zone off from your living space. Dust, debris, and contaminants stay inside the containment - not drifting through your home.
Protected pathways
We lay floor and surface protection along every path we use, so you can move through your home safely and cleanly - whether we are on site or not.
Air kept under control
Where it is needed, we run negative-air control and air scrubbers so airborne particles are captured and filtered, keeping your air clean while we work.
Clean enough to leave standing
Our containment is tight, organized, and something we are proud to leave up overnight. Your home stays livable - kids, pets, and daily life keep moving around our work.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my belongings be cleaned after a fire, or do I have to throw everything out?
Many items can be cleaned and restored - clothing, electronics, furniture, even some artwork. We inventory everything and give you an honest assessment of what is salvageable. We do not throw out anything that can be saved.
How do you remove smoke smell from a house?
It is not air fresheners. We use thermal fogging, ozone or hydroxyl generators, HEPA air scrubbers, and physical cleaning of every porous surface. Smoke odor lives in materials, HVAC systems, and structural cavities - we treat all of them.
Does insurance cover fire damage cleanup?
Almost always yes for sudden fires. We document everything in Xactimate for your claim and work directly with your adjuster from day one. You focus on your family; we handle the paperwork.
Should I stay in my home after a fire?
Usually not for the first few days. Smoke residue, water from firefighting, and structural concerns make it unhealthy. Your insurance often covers temporary lodging. We help you figure out the right timeline.
How fast can you respond?
Usually within 2 hours for emergency board-up and tarping. Full assessment within 24 hours. We move fast because secondary damage compounds quickly after a fire.
Will the final bill match the estimate?
For insurance jobs, the final cost is documented in Xactimate after the work and submitted to your carrier. For out-of-pocket work, we work to stay within estimate and tell you before any scope change. See our billing section on the home page for details.
Do you handle the water damage from putting the fire out?
Yes - and most people underestimate it. Firefighting often leaves more water in a home than the fire itself, and that water leads to mold within days if it is not dried properly. We treat the fire and the water as one job, because they are.
Do you do emergency board-up and tarping?
Yes. After a fire we can secure the property right away - boarding broken windows and openings and tarping a compromised roof - so weather, animals, and trespassers do not turn one loss into two while the claim gets sorted out.
Are you licensed and insured for fire and smoke work?
Yes - Washington State contractor license #CLEANSR742DL, fully insured, IICRC-certified, with OSHA training. Fire jobs involve real hazards, and we work to professional standards, not guesswork.
What about asbestos in an older home after a fire?
If the cleanup requires demolition and the home could contain asbestos, Washington law requires those materials to be tested before demo - regardless of the home’s age. We collect samples, rush the lab, and prep the home while we wait so we can move the moment results clear.
Do you rebuild the parts of my home that burned?
No - we are a mitigation company. We secure the property, clean smoke and soot, remove unsalvageable materials, deodorize, and dry everything out, then document it all for your claim. The rebuild itself is handled by a general contractor of your choice.
What areas do you serve?
We respond throughout King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, and Thurston counties - Seattle, Kent, Renton, Auburn, Federal Way, Tacoma, Bremerton, Olympia, and the surrounding communities. Call 253-553-6435 and we will give you an exact ETA.
After the fire, we handle what comes next.
Talk to us - we will guide you through it.
Related services
We also handle…
Most restoration jobs touch more than one service. Here is the rest of what we do — same crew, same approach, same standards.
Water Damage Restoration
24/7 emergency response. Fast extraction, professional drying, mold prevention.
Mold Remediation
We find the source, remove the mold, and make sure it does not come back.
Storm Damage Restoration
PNW storms hit hard. We respond fast - wind, water, or both.
Sewage Cleanup
A serious health hazard. Stay clear and let us handle all of it - safely and completely.
Biohazard Cleanup
Discreet, certified response for situations the average crew is not trained for.