Fire Damage Restoration
Fire Restoration, Smoke & Soot Removal
Over the years, Ocean Pacific Media Blasting has restored fire-damaged spaces ranging from six-storey apartment buildings to single-car garages, workshops, and commercial units. Each project is different, but the requirement for thorough removal is always the same.
Fire and smoke contamination doesn’t stay where it starts. It spreads into framing, masonry, ceilings, and cavities, settling into surfaces that cannot be cleaned with conventional methods. Proper restoration means removing the damaged material itself—not covering it up—so the space can truly be rebuilt.
Our Step By Step Approach to Fire Remediation
Emergency Response and assessment
Contact team Ocean as soon as fire damage assessment begins. We can coordinate with Fire restoration contractors, Insurance adjusters and structural engineers to plan a media blasting scope of services.
Safety and containment
We'll ensure our crews are in full PPE. We establish proper safety protocols for the fire damaged structures. Set up proper containments for hazardous waste including soot, char and toxic residue or toxic fumes.
Systematic restoration
Strip contaminated surfaces to depths specified by your restoration contractor and or structural engineer. Use the proper media like Dry Ice or Soda Blasting for delicate surfaces such as galvanized metal, drywall and or tile.
Damage documentation
Document surface conditions as we strip away unwanted coatings to expose hidden damage for proper assesment. Coordinate with inspectors who need to evaluate structural components.
Hazardous waste disposal
Properly contain and dispose of all used media and contaminants in waste bins.
Clean preparation for reconstruction.
Leave all substrate surfaces ready for reconstruction teams. Proper substrate prep ensures new coatings, paint and materials bond correctly and securly to meet code requirments.
Complete Removal of Smoke and Char
The blasting we do cleans smoke and char from all surfaces including:
- Brick
- Concrete Walls, Floors & Ceilings
- Quality Control System
- Plywood
- I-Beams
- & Much More!
Media blasting is one of the most effective ways to remove fire damage because it cleans deep into the surface rather than just treating what’s visible. Our process removes smoke residue and char from a wide range of materials, including brick, concrete walls and floors, ceilings, exposed wood framing, plywood I-beams, and other structural components
Because blasting reaches irregular surfaces, joints, and textured materials, it eliminates contamination that would otherwise remain trapped. Once the work is complete, affected areas are returned to clean, neutral substrates—free of soot, carbon buildup, and smoke oils—ready for repair or refinishing without lingering side effects.
Removing smoke and fire damage from this heritage brick wall without removing the paint behind it.
Pacific Rim College, working for Onside Restorations.
Why Surface Treatments Fail Over Time
After a fire, it’s common to see damaged areas sealed or painted over as a quick fix. While coatings and primers such as KILZ may block odours temporarily, they do not remove the source of the problem. Smoke residue remains embedded beneath the surface
Over time, especially during warm weather, those trapped contaminants re-activate. Heat causes smoke particles to release odours again, often more intensely than before. What seemed like a solution becomes an ongoing issue—repainting, resealing, and dealing with recurring smells that never fully go away. In many cases, the only permanent fix is to strip the surfaces properly after the fact.
Addressing Hidden Fire Damage
Fire damage often extends well beyond the obvious burn areas. Smoke migrates through wall cavities, ceiling spaces, and structural voids, depositing residue in places that aren’t immediately visible. Even rooms that appear untouched can still be affected.
Media blasting allows us to deal with this hidden damage directly. By removing contaminated surface layers rather than masking them, we eliminate the source of smoke odours instead of managing the symptoms. This is especially important in living spaces and commercial environments where air quality, comfort, and long-term usability matter.
A Proper Foundation for Rebuilding
Successful fire restoration isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about preparation. Once fire-damaged materials are properly stripped, the rebuilding process becomes far more reliable. New finishes adhere better, replacement materials last longer, and contractors can work without worrying about contamination resurfacing later.
- Proper surface preparation also reduces the risk of:
- Smoke odours returning through new paint or finishes
- Staining or discoloration bleeding through coatings
- Premature failure of repairs or materials
By doing the work correctly at this stage, future problems are avoided, saving time and cost during reconstruction.
Turning Damage Into Recovery
Fire damage can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. The disruption doesn’t end when the flames are out—it continues until the space feels clean, safe, and usable again. Our role is to remove the lingering effects that make recovery difficult.
We take pride in restoring fire-damaged structures thoroughly and responsibly. Whether the project involves a large commercial building or a small residential space, our focus remains the same: remove the damage completely and create a clean starting point for rebuilding. When fire restoration is handled properly from the beginning, moving forward becomes far easier and far more certain.
Have questions about a project or ready to get started?
We Offer Several Types of Grit Blasting:
Each method is carefully selected to match the specific needs of your project. Factors include surface material, environmental considerations and level of preparation required for optimal results.
