We find the smoke source and eliminate it, not mask it
Odor Removal After Fire in EAST IRVINE, California
Odor Removal After Fire in EAST IRVINE, California is a full-source deodorization service for homes and businesses that still smell like smoke weeks after the flames are out. We track residue into drywall, insulation, ductwork and framing, then treat it with ozone, hydroxyl and thermal fogging until the air tests clean. If your house still smells like smoke, call us today.
Live phone supportUpfront optionsBacked workmanship
What's included
What Our Odor Removal After Fire Includes
Every odor removal job we run in EAST IRVINE includes the same core scope. If your situation needs more, we will tell you before we start, not after. Here is what is covered.
Full Inspection and Written Scope
We walk the property with a thermal imaging camera and moisture meter, check wall cavities and ductwork, and give you a written scope with a fixed price. No surprises, no change orders halfway through the job.
HEPA Vacuuming and Surface Cleaning
Every affected wall, ceiling and hard surface gets HEPA-vacuumed, then wiped with a 3M or Zep soot sponge. We do not paint over soot. If the drywall is stained, we seal it with an encapsulant before primer goes on.
Ozone or Hydroxyl Treatment
We run ozone generators at 5-10 ppm for 4-8 hours in unoccupied spaces, or hydroxyl generators for 24-48 hours in occupied ones. This is the step that breaks down the odor molecules at the source instead of masking them.
HVAC and Ductwork Cleaning
Smoke settles in your ductwork and comes back every time the system runs. We seal registers, run negative air machines, and HEPA-vacuum the duct runs. This is the step most cheap odor jobs skip, and it is why the smell returns.
Final Air Test and Walkthrough
We run a final air scrubber pass, then walk the property with you room by room. If you still smell smoke anywhere, we re-treat at no extra charge. You sign off only when the air is clean.
Service overview
What Odor Removal After Fire in EAST IRVINE, California Involves
Odor Removal After Fire in EAST IRVINE, California is a fire damage restoration service that locates and neutralizes smoke residue at its source rather than covering it with fragrance. Smoke particles from a kitchen, attic or electrical fire are microscopic and oily. They soak into drywall, insulation, lumber and framing, then off-gas for months. We use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to map where residue and firefighting water traveled, then pair air scrubbers with HEPA vacuums to pull particles out of the air before treating surfaces.
Most EAST IRVINE calls we run start the same way: the fire was small, the insurance adjuster closed the claim, and three weeks later the closets and hallway still smell like a campfire. That lingering smoke odor is residue inside wall cavities and HVAC ducts, not on the surface you can see. If you need professional smoke odor removal near me in EAST IRVINE, the fix is source removal plus ozone or hydroxyl treatment, not another candle.
How we workWe verify the cause, compare realistic options, and confirm the repair before we leave.
The service timeline
Our Odor Removal After Fire Process
The process flexes to the condition, but these checkpoints keep decisions clear.
Inspection and Mapping
We walk the property with a thermal imaging camera and moisture meter, checking wall cavities, attic space and ductwork for hidden residue and firefighting water. This usually takes 45-90 minutes on a typical EAST IRVINE home. You get a written scope and price before we start.
Containment and Debris Removal
We set plastic containment around the affected rooms and run a negative air machine to keep soot from spreading. Charred debris, saturated insulation and ruined drywall come out first. On a kitchen fire, this phase runs 3-6 hours.
HEPA Vacuum and Surface Cleaning
Every wall, ceiling and hard surface gets HEPA-vacuumed, then wiped with a 3M or Zep soot sponge and a sealant-safe cleaner. We do not paint over soot. If the drywall is stained, we seal it with an encapsulant before primer goes on.
Ozone or Hydroxyl Treatment
Once surfaces are clean, we run ozone generators for 4-8 hours in unoccupied spaces, or hydroxyl generators for 24-48 hours in occupied ones. This is the step that kills the odor at the molecular level. We follow IICRC Odor Control Technician (OCT) protocols on every job.
Air Test and Walkthrough
We run a final air scrubber pass, then walk the property with you room by room. If you still smell smoke anywhere, we re-treat at no extra charge. Most jobs close out in 2-5 days depending on square footage and how deep the residue traveled.
Tools & methods
Tools and Methods We Use
Purpose-built equipment, used by trained technicians, so the job is done accurately the first time.
Thermal Imaging Camera
Maps temperature differences in walls and ceilings to find hidden residue and firefighting water without tearing out drywall.
Moisture Meter
Reads moisture content in drywall, lumber and subfloor so we know exactly where suppression water traveled and how far to dry.
HEPA Vacuum
Captures smoke particles down to 0.3 microns. We use it on every wall, ceiling and hard surface before any wet cleaning.
Ozone Generator
Runs at 5-10 ppm for 4-8 hours in unoccupied spaces to break down odor molecules at the source. Not safe for people, pets or plants during treatment.
Hydroxyl Generator
Runs safely in occupied spaces for 24-48 hours. We use it when the homeowner needs to stay in the property or when sensitive materials are present.
Negative Air Machine
Creates negative pressure inside containment so soot and odor do not spread to unaffected rooms during debris removal.
Thermal Fogger
Pushes a thermal fogging solution into wall cavities and ductwork where a spray bottle cannot reach. Used on heavier contamination jobs.
Use cases
When You Need Odor Removal After Fire
These examples show how the service framework adapts rather than forcing every call through one repair.
Northwood Attic Fire Odor Elimination
An electrical fire in a Northwood attic filled the insulation with smoke and left a sharp, acrid odor throughout the house. The homeowner was worried about replacing all the clothing in the closets. The attic framing was charred in two spots. → We removed the saturated insulation batts, treated the attic framing with an encapsulant, and ran hydroxyl generators for 48 hours. We also cleaned the HVAC ducts. The smell was gone in four days and no clothing was lost.
Great Park Apartment Fire Odor Removal
A tenant fire in a Great Park apartment sent smoke through the shared HVAC system into two neighboring units. All three units smelled like smoke and the property manager needed them re-leased fast. The affected unit had water damage from suppression. → We extracted the standing water, dried the structure with dehumidifiers and air movers, contained the affected unit, cleaned the ductwork, and treated all three units with hydroxyl generators. All three passed the final air test in five days.
Problems we solve
Smoke Odor Problems We Solve in EAST IRVINE
Smoke odor is rarely a surface problem. Here are the issues we run into most often on EAST IRVINE jobs and how we fix them.
Lingering smoke odor weeks after the fire
We locate the residue with a thermal imaging camera, remove the saturated materials, and treat the space with ozone or hydroxyl generators. Source removal is the only fix that holds. Surface sprays and candles just cover it up.
Smoke damage in HVAC ducts
We seal the registers, run negative air machines, and HEPA-vacuum the duct runs. On heavier contamination we fog the ducts with a thermal fogging solution. This is the step that stops the smell from coming back.
Water damage from firefighting
We extract standing water, set dehumidifiers and air movers, and dry the structure to IICRC WRT standards before odor treatment. Dry first, treat second. If you treat odor over wet materials, the smell comes back.
Mold growth after fire suppression
We treat mold with an EPA-registered antimicrobial, then dry the structure completely. Once the mold is dead and the materials are dry, we run odor treatment. Skipping the mold step means the smell never fully goes away.
Pricing process
Odor Removal After Fire Pricing in EAST IRVINE
$1,200 - $4,500 depending on scope
Square Footage Affected
The more rooms smoke reached, the more surface area we have to clean and treat. A single-room job is a fraction of the cost of a whole-house job. We measure affected square footage during the inspection and price accordingly.
Depth of Residue
Surface residue wipes off. Residue that soaked into drywall, insulation and framing has to be removed or sealed. The deeper it went, the more material we have to pull and replace, which drives the price up.
HVAC Contamination
If smoke got into the ductwork, we have to seal registers, run negative air machines, and HEPA-vacuum the duct runs. This adds 1-2 days to the job and is one of the biggest cost variables on a smoke odor claim.
Questions before we arrive
Frequently Asked Questions About Odor Removal After Fire
How much does odor removal after fire cost in EAST IRVINE California?
Most residential jobs in EAST IRVINE run $1,200 to $4,500 in 2026, depending on square footage and how far residue traveled. A single-room kitchen fire with duct cleaning typically lands near the low end. A whole-house job with attic and HVAC contamination runs higher. If your fire claim is open, most of this is covered by insurance.
Who does smoke odor removal near me in EAST IRVINE?
We do. Fire Damage Restoration East Irvine handles smoke odor removal across EAST IRVINE and the surrounding neighborhoods, including Irvine Spectrum, Woodbridge, Northwood and Turtle Rock. Call (833) 929-6186 and we will schedule an inspection, usually same day. We are IICRC-certified and carry ozone and hydroxyl equipment on every truck.
How long does it take to remove smoke odor in EAST IRVINE CA?
Most jobs take 2 to 5 days from start to final air test. A single-room fire with light residue can close out in 48 hours. A whole-house job with HVAC contamination and ozone treatment usually runs 4 to 5 days. We give you a day-by-day schedule at the inspection so you know when you can move back in.
Does ozone treatment remove fire smoke smell in EAST IRVINE?
Yes, when it is done correctly. Ozone generators at 5-10 ppm for 4-8 hours break down the odor molecules that cause the smell. The catch is that ozone only works after surfaces are cleaned and debris is removed. If you skip the source removal, the smell comes back. We always pair ozone with HEPA vacuuming and surface cleaning.
Related services
Related Services
Smoke Damage Restoration
Smoke damage restoration handles the residue, staining and corrosion that smoke leaves behind. We pair it with odor removal on every job because the two are inseparable. If your walls are still blackened or your metal fixtures are tarnishing, this is the service that fixes it.
Fire Damage Clean Up
Fire damage clean up covers debris removal, charred material haul-off and initial surface cleaning. It is the first phase before odor treatment can work. On an EAST IRVINE kitchen fire, we usually run clean up and odor removal in the same visit.Emergency Fire Damage Restoration
Emergency fire damage restoration is our 24/7 response for active or just-extinguished fires. We board up, tarp roofs, extract firefighting water and set containment. Getting this phase right is what keeps odor from spreading into unaffected rooms.Ready when you are
Call Now for Odor Removal After Fire in EAST IRVINE, California
Smoke odor gets worse, not better, the longer it sits. We answer the phone 24/7, roll a crew the same day, and write a scope your insurance will accept. Call (833) 929-6186 and we will get your air clean.
Talk with the local team
Request Odor Removal After Fire
Call (833) 929-6186 any hour of the day or night. A live dispatcher answers, takes your address, and sends a crew within 60 minutes anywhere in EAST IRVINE. If you prefer email, send photos and details to info@firedamagerestorationeastirvine.com and we will respond the same day.