Mitigating and Removing Home Smoke Damage

If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to experience a house fire, you are familiar with the devastation and chaos that can ensue. Not only is your home’s structural integrity at risk, but your personal belongings and health may also be in danger. In the aftermath of a fire, mitigating the smoke damage as quickly as possible should be your top priority. This blog will discuss what smoke damage is, the types of smoke, and what you can do to minimize fire damage to your home. If this situation occurs in your home you will need smoke damage cleanup.

What is Smoke Damage?

While the flames may cause extensive damage, smoke can be as destructive. Any physical or structural harm caused by smoke is considered smoke damage. Smoke damage refers to the fact that smoke particles can penetrate various materials and lead to a change in colour, odour, or overall appearance. Smoke contains multiple contaminants, including soot, ash, and toxic chemicals. Therefore, it’s best to act quickly when smoke damage occurs, as it can be challenging to reverse its effects.

What Are the Types of Smoke?

Three common types of smoke damage can damage your home. They are the following:

1. Dry Smoke

Dry smoke is the most common and destructive smoke type. When materials burn at a high temperature, they vaporize, thus producing dry smoke. Since smoke can rapidly fill a space, the tiny particles of dry smoke can penetrate cracks and crevices, making them difficult to remove. Dry smoke can also cause staining and discolouration. Additionally, the high temperatures associated with dry smoke can cause warping and melting. 

2. Wet Smoke

Produced when there is insufficient oxygen to support combustion, wet smoke tends to be cooler and moist. Wet smoke is difficult to clean because it is generated at a lower temperature. It penetrates deep into porous materials, leaving behind an oily residue, causing discolouration, warping, and a lingering smoky odour. 

3. Protein Smoke

Protein smoke is caused by burning food or other organic materials. This type of smoke is often invisible, making it difficult to detect. It can be complicated to remove and may require professional treatment to eradicate.

Impact of Smoke Damage on Your Property

There is no doubt that smoke impacts your home in negative ways. Smoke can cover your items and furnishings with soot and penetrate fabrics and upholstery, causing an unpleasant odour that can be stubborn to remove. Smoke also can cause wood to warp and bend and painted walls to peel, potentially leading to permanent damage.

How to Remove Home Smoke Odours After Fire Damage

Home smoke odours are one of the most challenging problems to tackle in the days and weeks after fire damage. Even a small fire can leave behind a smoke odour that can last a long time. Fortunately, you can do a few things to eliminate the foul smoke odour from your home.

Identify the Smoke Smell Source

The first step is locating and removing the smoke odour’s source. This may involve removing burned items from your home and cleaning soot from surfaces. 

Clean the Smoke Damage 

You may clean porous materials such as carpets, upholstery, and fabrics with mild soap or detergent. When professionals clean smoke-damaged surfaces, there is typically a three-step process: washing, scrubbing and disinfecting. This ensures soot and other residues are thoroughly removed without the possibility of returning. A professional cleaning solutions can also salvage belongings that would otherwise succumb to smoke issues.

Mitigate the Smoke Odour

Once the source of the smoke smell is removed, you can begin working on mitigating the odour. Using air purifiers and dehumidifiers can assist in removing the smoke particles from the air. It’s also a great idea to clean or replace your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters to prevent smoke from circulating throughout your home. For a convenient fix, an odour-neutralizing product can also help

Professional Smoke Odor Removal

Smoke and soot damage cleanup can be time-consuming and challenging, so it may be wise to contact a professional fire damage restoration company. A technician can assess the damage and develop a plan to clean and deodorize your property. In most cases, they will use specialized equipment and cleaning agents to remove the smoke particles and soot from your surfaces. 

After the affected areas are thoroughly cleaned, a sealant is applied to prevent odours from returning. With professional help, you can rest assured that your property will be free of smoke and soot damage.

PuroClean Is Available for Your Smoke Damage Restoration Needs

Our team has the necessary training, equipment, and experience to rescue and restore your home after a fire and to provide professional cleaning. PuroClean’s restoration professionals are available to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week with cleaning solutions. Visit our website or call (877) 261-7876 to get connected with your local PuroClean office today.