When you need it
- Timber beams, rafters or studs are charred
- Concrete or masonry is blackened, discoloured or spalling
- Steel parts have been exposed to high heat
Why it matters
Char holds odour
A charred surface keeps releasing smoke smell until it is removed.
Hidden weakness
Timber loses cross-section as it chars, concrete can spall and steel loses strength at high temperatures.
Rebuild needs a sound base
New finishes over char or weakened structure fail later.
Our procedure
Assess
Extent of char and heat damage recorded; load-bearing parts flagged for the engineer.
Timber
Char removed by sanding, planing or blasting until sound wood shows.
Concrete and masonry
Soot and char removed by blasting or brushing; spalling and exposed reinforcement assessed by the engineer.
Steel
Brushed, cleaned and protected against corrosion; deformed members are the engineer's decision.
Document
Before and after photos with a scale reference, and the treated areas marked on the damage sketch.
Methods
| Method | Where it fits | What we manage |
|---|---|---|
| Dry-ice blasting | Timber, concrete, metal; no blasting media left behind | Noise; CO₂ build-up, so ventilation is mandatory |
| Soda blasting | Softer surfaces, controlled abrasion | Residue must be removed completely |
| Sanding / planing | Local char on timber | Dust control with HEPA extraction |
Equipment
- Dry-ice or soda blasting (by job)
- Sanders and planers with HEPA extraction
- Wire brushes, corrosion protection
- Ventilation for CO₂ during dry-ice blasting
What you receive
- Photos with scale reference
- Treated areas on the damage sketch
- Structural engineer's statement for load-bearing parts
Order it on its own
Questions
Do you decide whether a beam can stay?
No. A structural engineer decides on load-bearing parts. We prepare the structure so it can be assessed properly.
Is dry-ice blasting safe indoors?
Yes, with ventilation. Dry ice turns into CO₂, so the space is ventilated during the work.