Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 06, 2000 08:47am | #1

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   Rod, give us some more information... is the damage limited to discoloration, or is there odor, or are structural members of the framing charred, or just what? If you're looking only for cleaning materials, I'd suggest you contact a contractor who does fire restoration work. I can't imagine you scrubbing rafters, but I can envision a contractor spraying the framing with a product which will kill the smell, presuming the structure is sound.

   Steve

2. 
   Rod_ | Feb 09, 2000 07:07am | #2

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   Steve (and others):

   The damage is not limited to discoloration, but the framing is not charred. Mainly, I'm concerned about soot and fire odor from the attic area.

   I'm planning to gut the living area, so the damage/odor is only an issue in the attic....unless other problems arise during the renovation of the living area that I'm not anticipating. Advice?

   I'm on a tight budget, so a contractor may be out of the question. I was hoping that I could purchase some type of cleaning agent or sealant that I could apply myself.

   I was also hoping to hear how others may have tackled this problem.

   Thanks,
   Rod

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 09, 2000 09:41am | #3

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   Rod, B-I-N Primer- Sealer works well on walls and ceilings. I've used it on fire restoration work but only after the walls and ceilings were first cleaned. I'm not certain how it would work on rafters and sheathing although the literature leads me to think it will seal those areas also.

   I wonder of Gaby's pressure washer method of removing water stains would be adequate and appropriate for basic smoke and soot cleaning prior to a spray application of B-I-N.

   Rod, I don't think Gaby was allowed to try this in his house but you go ahead and let us all know how it works. :-)

   You write that you are going to gut the living area. Did you mean the ENTIRE living area? If you are going to clean and repaint some areas be aware that if that area was exposed to a substantial level of the heat of the fire then the adhesion of the original paint should be suspect. It can be frustrating to do a bang-up job of cleaning, sealing and repainting just to have it bubble up and separate a few days later.

   Comments? Ralph

4. 
   Rod_ | Feb 10, 2000 06:57am | #4

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   Thanks, Ralph, for the great advice.

   I do plan to gut the entire living area, so no problem repainting there.

   Just so you know, the house is a mid-1800s barge house (i.e., built from barge planks after they were floated down the Mississippi to port). The walls are two inch thick planks with plaster lath and plaster inside, clapboards outside.

   I intend to frame another wall against the existing ones, using 2x4s turned sideways and a layer of rigid foam insulation between the new and old walls. Can anyone anticipate a problem or have any advice or comments?

   I had considered using a pressure sprayer, but I was concerned that it would damage the existing hardwood floors (that fortunately were protected from fire damage by carpet). Should I be concerned about using the pressure sprayer, or can I just mop up the excess water? Perhaps a layer of heavy grade plastic sheeting could channel the water outside, and thus protect the floor? The floors are Cypress, if that means anything. Obviously, when the fire was extinguished, copious amounts of water were on the floors, so maybe I couldn't damage them anymore?

   I was considering trying to write an article as a result of this project for _Fine Homebuilding_. Do you think anyone would be interested?

   I'm flyin' blind here, so any comments/advice are appreciated.

   Thanks!
   Rod

5. 
   Guest_ | Feb 10, 2000 10:09pm | #5

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   Rod, this website FH Projects has info on getting published in Fine Homebuilding.

   Good luck with your fire restoration

6. 
   Mike_Toms | Feb 18, 2000 09:58am | #6

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   Hey Rod I'm a carpenter who has had the dubious honor of working on 5 or 6 exstensive fire remodeles. The firsr priority is to determine the structoral soundness of all the rafters. Once your sure you need to paint all smoke damaged materials with kilz or zerolete paints . If you don't you'll never get the smoke smell out of the house. C.M.Toms Carpentry Anchorage A.K. Good Luck!!

7. 
   Rod_ | Feb 18, 2000 09:58am | #7

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   I just bought a house in New Orleans that has been fire-damaged.

   What is the best (i.e., cheapest) way to remove the smoke damage in the attic rafters and flooring? Is there some type of cleaner (preferably not too toxic)?

   Thanks in advance,
   Rod