Category 1
July 28, 2025
How to Remove Smoke Odor from Your Corvallis Home After a Fire
The fire is out, but the smoke smell is everywhere. It's in the walls, the carpets, the ductwork, and every piece of fabric in your Corvallis home. Airing out the house will not fix this. Smoke odor comes from volatile compounds that bond to porous surfaces, and removing it requires professional equipment and chemistry.

Harris Restoration
Why Smoke Odor Does Not Disappear on Its OwnSmoke contains hundreds of chemical compounds that vaporize during combustion and then condense on cooler surfaces once the fire is out
These compounds penetrate drywall, insulation, wood framing, and anything porous. Even if you clean visible soot, the smell remains because the molecules are embedded deep inside materials. Ventilation helps, but it only removes airborne particles.
The smell in your walls, subfloor, and ductwork stays put until you treat it chemically or remove the affected materials.What Makes Smoke Odor WorseHeat and humidity reactivate smoke odor. During Corvallis summers, when indoor temperatures rise, the smell intensifies as trapped compounds off-gas. Running the HVAC system spreads odor throughout the house because smoke particles coat the inside of ducts and get redistributed every time the system runs.
Washing walls with household cleaners often makes the problem worse by driving the odor deeper into porous surfaces.Professional Smoke Odor Removal ProcessWe start by identifying which materials absorbed smoke and which can be saved. Then we remove unsalvageable items like carpet, padding, and heavily soaked insulation. Hard surfaces get HEPA-vacuumed to remove loose soot, then treated with specialized smoke neutralizers that break down odor molecules at a chemical level.
We clean and seal ductwork to prevent recontamination. Thermal fogging and hydroxyl generators neutralize airborne and embedded odors by releasing compounds that bond with smoke molecules and render them odorless. Finally, we seal porous surfaces like wood and drywall with odor-blocking primers that prevent off-gassing.The goal is complete odor elimination, not masking.Insurance Coverage for Smoke DamageSmoke damage is covered under most Oregon homeowners policies, whether the fire started in your home or drifted from a wildfire.
We document all affected areas, provide detailed odor remediation protocols, and work with your adjuster to ensure every necessary step is approved and covered. Our team prepares estimates using Xactimate to match adjuster expectations and expedite claim processing.If your home smells like smoke and ventilation is not helping, call for a free inspection. We'll assess the damage, remove the source of the odor, and restore your indoor air quality..
DON'T WAIT.
The Damage Won’t.
Read more
How HVAC Condensate Leaks Cause Mold in Portland Homes
Your Portland air handler is leaking water, and you've noticed mold growing on the ceiling or walls near the unit. HVAC condensate leaks are a common cause of hidden mold because they drip slowly and go unnoticed for weeks while moisture soaks into drywall and insulation.

Tom White
Art Director
What to Do When Your Refrigerator Leaks in Salem
Your Salem refrigerator is leaking water onto the kitchen floor, and you're not sure if it's a minor drip or a serious problem. Refrigerator leaks cause significant damage because they happen slowly and go unnoticed for days, allowing water to soak into flooring, cabinets, and subfloor.

Tom White
Art Director
How to Remove Wildfire Smoke Odor from Your Corvallis Home
Wildfire smoke drifted into your Corvallis home during fire season, and now everything smells like smoke. Wildfire smoke contains the same volatile compounds as structure fire smoke, and removing the odor requires professional treatment, not just airing out the house.

Tom White
Art Director



