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Fire Damaged House Repair

| Posted in General Discussion on September 8, 2000 12:42pm

*
I just bought a house with minor fire damage, but the residual smell is still in one end of the house. All the interior is out down to the bare studs. What do you recommend to cover the chared joists and rafters (they’ll remain. I’ll be sistering 5 or 6 of each)?

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  1. Guest_ | Aug 05, 2000 04:26pm | #1

    *
    Morning John,

    I would sandblast the chared sections clean. First of all, the portions that are burned add nothing to the structural integrity of the house so blasting it off changes nothing but the smell. Secondly, it allows you to "see" the fire damage properly. Sometimes wood can look only slightly damaged but can be toast.

    Afterwards, you could spray with a primer if required and then do your repairs.

    Gabe

    1. Guest_ | Aug 05, 2000 07:52pm | #2

      *John,Ditto Gabe.We finished one this year, and it was a mess.Sand blast the charred wood away, two coats of good primer sprayed, set up an ozone machine for a few days, get all the fire debris out from under the house and you'll probably have to replace all the return air ducts if the A/C was on during the fire. Also, have all the duct's cleaned and replace all carpet and pad, even if it wasn't damaged because it will soak up the fire smell. Call Blackmon Mooring(SP?). They did our job. No smell left.Ed. Williams

      1. Guest_ | Aug 06, 2000 02:26pm | #3

        *I would suggest that unless you remove the burned wood on damp days you will always have a smokey smell in the house. You plan on sistering beside the old joist why not just replace them. Worth the time and extra money.

  2. tezor_ | Aug 26, 2000 05:49pm | #4

    *
    I've been a volunteer firefighter for 20 years, and in the trades for 30, if you don't seal all affected areas the smell never goes away. I mean spray 2X with a high quality sealer, look for the holidays and cover them up, the entire inside attic to subarea-basement needs to be done. It is one of the most persistant smell issues in repair construction. It would be wise to replace all HVAC venting if it is insulated, all insulation, even in seemingly unaffected areas will harbor the smell. On those winter days when the house is closed up, and a little damp it will return with a vengence. Wishing ya luck, T

  3. John_Hartranft | Sep 08, 2000 12:42am | #5

    *
    I just bought a house with minor fire damage, but the residual smell is still in one end of the house. All the interior is out down to the bare studs. What do you recommend to cover the chared joists and rafters (they'll remain. I'll be sistering 5 or 6 of each)?

  4. Guest_ | Sep 08, 2000 12:42am | #6

    *
    John, we had a plumber start a fire in a house 2 years ago, big mess. Convinced me of what I thought I knew, I don,t want to do fire reatoration work. Gabe gives good advise, I would add that you should spray a pigmented shellac BIN is one brand. Shellac seems to seal the odor in the best.

    Steve

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