Odor & Smoke Sealing

We encapsulate stubborn odors at the source—studs, subfloors, drywall, and masonry—using proven odor‑blocking primers and encapsulants. Coordinated with your fire/water restoration or remodel.

Licensed & insured • Working seamlessly with restoration pros • Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond & nearby areas around the Puget Sound

Seattle odor & Smoke sealing Services

After a fire—or years of nicotine, pets, or heavy cooking—odors can soak into building materials. We remove what can’t be cleaned, access the real source (sometimes down to studs or subfloors), and seal surfaces so fresh paint stays fresh.

Our odor and smoke sealing service successfully stops unwanted odors and toxic smoke from entering your area, guaranteeing a fresh and clean atmosphere.

Our Capabilities

  • Smoke Odor Sealing Post‑Fire

    Part of multi‑trade restoration—cleaned, dried & sealed before build‑back.

  • Nicotine/Tobacco Odor Sealing Heavy Prep

    Degrease & prep first, then block residues on walls, ceilings, cabinets, and trim.

  • Pet Urine Encapsulation Flooring Prep

    Seal subfloors before new flooring; treat affected base/trim or drywall as needed.

  • Cooking/Grease Odor Control Degrease + Seal

    After a deep clean, we seal kitchen ceilings, walls, and adjoining cavities.

  • Attic/Crawl/Concrete/Masonry Encapsulation Encapsulant

    Substrate‑specific primers/encapsulants for framing, slab, block, or brick.

  • Prime & Paint Add‑On Add‑On

    Finish coats after sealing for a one‑team, photo‑ready result.

Note: Testing/abatement for asbestos or lead and significant mold remediation are handled by licensed specialists before sealing.

Our 6‑Step Odor & Smoke Sealing Process

  1. Assess & Plan

    Review damage/odor sources, moisture readings, and scope from your adjuster or GC; confirm which areas need access/demolition.

  2. Protect & Contain

    Floor protection, mask/zip walls, and a ventilation plan for safe application and cure.

  3. Remove & Clean

    Targeted demo of saturated materials; degrease/soot‑clean remaining surfaces.

  4. Seal & Encapsulate

    Apply the right odor‑blocking primers/encapsulants to studs, subfloors, drywall, masonry, and trim.

  5. Prime & Paint (Optional)

    Finish coats for a clean, fresh space—one‑team handoff.

  6. Verify & Handoff

    Cure/air‑out, walkthrough, and care tips; coordinate the next trades.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SHANCO

Stop Odors at the Source—Not Just Cover Them

Sealing is the final barrier after source removal and cleaning. It blocks re‑emission, so fresh paint stays fresh. We follow recognized restoration standards and provide clear documentation.
Low‑bid shortcuts lead to do‑overs, delays, ghosting, and surprise charges. Our trained, vetted, and insured crews deliver durable finishes on schedule—and keep you informed at every step.
Here’s what you get with a trained, insured crew.

Prep That Holds Up

After fire, tobacco/cannabis, heavy cooking, or pet urine has penetrated subfloors or framing. We remove finishes as needed to reach subfloor, studs, or masonry, then spray an odor‑blocking sealer—white for paint‑ready areas or clear on exposed beams/brick—to lock in residual odors.

Licensed & Accountable

We are WA licensed, insured, and bonded. Itemized estimates, easily accessible schedules, daily progress updates online, and a final walkthrough before we collect our final check—no surprises, no ghosting and a warranty to back up our work. Verify our license →

Meticulous Protection

Floors, fixtures, and landscaping fully protected; glass and hardware masked; controlled application. Paint goes where it’s supposed to—not where it’s not. Clean wrap-up daily; no drips, no overspray.

If We Break It, We Fix It

With us it's rare, but accidents happen, if our crew causes accidental damage during your project, we repair, replace, or reimburse—that's our cost, not yours.

Efficient & Multi-Skilled

You clean/deodorize; we demolish to expose the source + seal. We mobilize after your cleaning/HVAC and can handle drywall repairs & paint/build‑back to make your job easier and keep schedules moving.

Material Expertise

Whether shellac/solvent/oil-based/water‑based, all of the odor‑blocking systems are applied to spec; white for paint‑ready, clear for exposed wood or masonry. We verify compatibility and target coverage; PDS/SDS provided.

Transperancy

Photo logs, application rates, lot numbers, and ambient conditions recorded. COI/W‑9 on request; portal access for adjusters and GCs. No headaches for you.

Protection & Overspray Control

Adjacent finishes masked, controlled passes, and tidy staging. Sealer goes where it belongs—not where it doesn’t. If an accident occurs, we fix it or replace it.

Shopping Around? Here’s How to Ensure You’re Hiring Someone Good →

What Sealing Can—and Can’t Do

CAN DO

CAN'T DO (BY ITSELF)

PRE‑VISIT CHECKLIST Before We Arrive

Clear pathways & protect personal items

We’ll cover floors and isolate the work area. Please move or cover fragile/personal items nearby (photos, electronics, decor). We can help shift larger furnishings on site as needed.

Confirm access, parking, pets & any gate/alarm codes

Reserve a nearby parking spot for our truck/equipment and share entry instructions or codes. For everyone’s safety, keep pets and children out of active work zones.

Make sure leak sources are addressed

We can help identify likely sources, but any active leaks must be resolved and structural moisture in a safe range before sealing. This ensures odors don’t return and primers cure correctly.

Share insurance/restoration scopes (if applicable)

Send us your adjuster/GC scope so our work lines up with cleaning, demo, HVAC, and paint/build‑back. Clear sequencing reduces delays and change orders.

Expect stronger product odors during application

Odor‑blocking primers/encapsulants (shellac/alkyd/water‑borne) can have noticeable smell. We’ll set up containment and ventilation; plan for cure/air‑out time. Ask us about low‑odor options when appropriate.

Note: We focus on building surfaces. Asbestos/lead testing & abatement and significant mold remediation are performed by licensed specialists before sealing when required. We’re happy to coordinate and return after clearance.

The Shanco Difference

Our work is built on trust. We don’t just meet expectations—we strive to earn your confidence at every step.

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Clear, Honest Communication

You’ll never be left in the dark. We keep you informed every step of the way, so there are no surprises—just progress you can count on.

Professional contractor meticulously preparing a modern living room for painting, with all furniture and floors completely covered and protected.
Safe, Contained, and Ventilated

We protect flooring and belongings, isolate work zones, and ventilate appropriately—especially when using heavy‑duty odor blockers. Our process is designed for unoccupied homes and tight timelines with other trades.

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Source‑First, Not Masking

Odor control fails when you paint over the problem. We identify likely sources, remove contaminated materials when needed, deep‑clean affected areas, then seal the remaining surfaces so the odor can’t re‑emit.

At Shanco Restoration, people come first—our clients and our crew.

Working With
The Shanco Team

We’re a close-knit team of skilled professionals who take pride in our work, prioritize safety, and never cut corners. Every job we take on reflects our shared commitment to craftsmanship and community. Whether we’re sealing after a fire or eliminating long‑standing odors before a remodel, we work alongside you—and your General Contractor if you have one—to keep your project moving smoothly.

The project behind every project is earning trust through
transparency, reliability, and results.

Shanco crew members outside a multifamily building in Seattle, ready for exterior painting work.

Craftsmanship That Stands the Test of Time

Our team is committed to delivering lasting results through expertise and careful project management.

FAQs

Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?

Absolutely—fully licensed, bonded, and insured in Washington State. Your peace of mind matters, so we proactively ensure you’re protected. Working with Shanco means your home, investment, and peace of mind are always safeguarded.

Quality is our cornerstone. Our technicians undergo comprehensive training, maintain continuous education, and follow strict quality-control guidelines. Every project is meticulously inspected, ensuring our work not only meets—but exceeds—your expectations.

In most cases, yes. Our goal is for the structure to be odor‑neutral after cleaning, selective demo, and sealing. If other sources remain (carpet/pad, duct dust, contents, active moisture), you may still notice residual odors until those items are addressed.

Depends. When odors have penetrated padding, subfloors, or wall cavities, targeted demolition lets us seal the actual source.

We select proven odor‑blocking primers/encapsulants—shellac, alkyd, or advanced water‑borne—based on your materials and severity. We isolate the area and ventilate during application; we’ll discuss sensitivities and choose the best option for your home.

Absolutely. Many clients choose our Paint add‑on for a one‑team finish.

Proactively and transparently. We anticipate challenges through careful project planning and maintain constant communication if unforeseen issues arise. Our team is committed to solutions—not excuses—ensuring minimal disruption to your timeline and budget.

Absolutely! Our work speaks for itself. We’re proud of the relationships we’ve built and would be delighted to connect you with previous clients. Additionally, we invite you to explore our portfolio of successful projects—real homes, real results, real satisfaction.

We treat your space as carefully as you would. Before work begins, we implement protective measures, including dust barriers and surface protection. Daily site clean-ups are standard practice—your comfort, safety, and convenience are always prioritized

Through proactive, clear, and consistent communication. Through our project portal, you will have access to all the important details you care about — such as your project schedule and daily logs to keep you in the loop. You’ll never have to wonder where things stand. With Shanco, you’ll always know exactly what’s happening—and why.

Never. Transparency and honesty guide everything we do. We clearly outline project costs upfront, eliminating financial uncertainty. If unforeseen circumstances arise, you’ll be informed immediately—no surprises, no hidden fees, just total clarity and clearly documented for your reference. Barring unforeseen circumstances, if we underestimate materials or labor expenditures, that’s on us – we will not breach our agreement with you.

Continuous training is at the heart of our team’s expertise. Shanco technicians complete rigorous professional training and ongoing skill-enhancement programs. By investing in our people, we ensure superior workmanship and consistently excellent results for you.

Absolutely—we stand proudly behind every project. Your satisfaction and confidence are critical to us. Every project is covered by clear workmanship warranties, reflecting our commitment to quality, responsibility, and your long-term peace of mind.

Prompt communication is our promise. Your project manager and our team remain accessible and responsive. Expect same-day responses to your questions or concerns, ensuring you feel secure, informed, and in control from start to finish.

Still have questions?

Our team is available to answer your questions about your next residential demolition project.

Recent Projects

From Hazy to Homey: Tacoma Two-Story Smoke Seal & Repaint

Blue No More: Soft Cream Exterior House Painting

Villa Revival: Drywall and Paint Restoration

Evergreen Makeover – Exterior Paint

 

Start Your Project

Contact us

Your project deserves the best.

Ready to bring your project to life with Seattle’s trusted experts in restoration, remodeling, and construction?

Get in touch now for your free, no-obligation consultation.

Five white service vans with company logos are parked in a row in an outdoor lot, representing restoration Seattle. Five people stand beside or lean against the vans. Trees and a blue sky with scattered clouds are visible in the background.