Do you have smoke stains, ash, or oily soot on your walls after a fire? The materials that burn in a fire contribute to the amount of damage and how hard it is to remove smoke stains and restore your home. Even small fires can leave smoke stains throughout your home. We outline the five types of smoke damage and explain the smoke damage restoration process for each.
What Is Smoke Damage?
Fires cause smoke damage as flames release smoke, soot, and odors. Smoke is primarily fine particles of carbon suspended in a vapor. However, it can also contain sulfur, asbestos, and other compounds. Smoke particles will coat any surface and leave stains and odors behind.
5 Types of Smoke Damage
There are five types of smoke damage based on what burned during the fire. Since the damage from each is unique, each type requires a different smoke restoration process.
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- Complex Fire Smoke Damage – Most common in large house fires, complex fires include multiple types of smoke damage. It is the most difficult to repair and requires several different restoration processes.
- Dry Smoke Damage – Dry smoke damage is caused by paper or wood fires, leaving powdery ash in your home. To restore this type of damage, use a vacuum and dry cleaning sponges.
- Petroleum Smoke Damage – Also called fuel or oil damage, petroleum fires create a dense, sticky residue that can coat almost any surface. The best smoke restoration method is dry sponges, followed by cleaning with a degreaser.
- Protein Fire Smoke Damage – Released when cooking or in kitchen fires, protein fires leave thick, greasy stains on walls and ceilings. Restore protein fire smoke damage with vinegar, then scrub away stains with a degreaser.
- Wet Smoke Damage – Burning plastic or rubber causes wet smoke damage. It is very oily and will smear when you try to clean it up. The best process to restore this type of smoke damage is to start with dry cleaning sponges, then use a degreaser.
7 Steps in the Smoke Damage Restoration Process
Here are the main steps to the smoke damage restoration process. Some steps only apply to certain types of smoke damage. All seven steps are typically only used in complex fires with extensive smoke damage.
1. Improve Air Circulation
Odors are a primary component of smoke, so open windows and doors to increase air circulation. Put damp towels over the vents to collect smoke and soot inside your HVAC ducts. While you can use fans, they can spread ash and soot throughout your home. If you have dry smoke damage, wait to turn them on after you have vacuumed up the ash.
2. Vacuum Up Ash
Use a shop vacuum to remove ash after a wood or paper fire. Avoid pressing the hose nozzle against walls and surfaces because it can smell oily soot stains underneath. Since soot and ash will fall, start at the highest part of the room. Then work your way across the wall and down to the floor.
3. Scrub Away Fine Soot With Dry Cleaning Sponges
Also called magic cleaning sponges, dry cleaning sponges are one of the best tools in the smoke damage restoration process. Made of melamine foam, they will remove stains caused by many types of smoke damage. As with the vacuum, start high and work your way over and down.
4. Cut Sticky Resin Stains With Vinegar
Vinegar is best at removing thick grease stains from protein fires but also works on oily smoke residues. It’s also a good substitute if you run out of dry cleaning sponges. Dip a cloth into vinegar, then wring it out until it’s damp. Scrub surfaces to loosen sticky smoke stains. For stubborn stains, spray on the vinegar and wait 15 minutes before scrubbing with a soft cloth.
5. Get Rid of Oily Soot Stains With a Degreaser
While there are main degreasers on the market, the most effective in the smoke damage restoration process is liquid dish soap. It’s inexpensive, and you probably already have it at home. Add a quarter cup of dish soap to a gallon of warm water. Then use a cloth to scrub oily stains away.
6. Remove Smoke Odors
There are many ways to remove smoke odors, but options like ozone machines are costly and come with certain risks. Unless you are working with a professional smoke restoration company, baking soda is the safest way to eliminate odors. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on furniture, carpeting, and countertops, and leave it out overnight. Then vacuum it up the following day and repeat until the odors are gone.
7. Assess Your Belongings
You should also assess your belongings throughout the smoke damage restoration process. While you can remove smoke stains from many items, you will need to throw away others. Review our guide on what to throw away after a fire for more details.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring Smoke Restoration Professionals?
The most significant benefit of hiring smoke restoration professionals is fast, dependable cleanup. Even a small fire can lead to hours or days of repairs. While you can do most, if not all, of the smoke damage restoration process yourself, it takes a lot of time and energy.
Here are the most important reasons to call a fire damage restoration company:
- Always free quotes and detailed assessments
- Fast, dependable smoke damage restoration
- Professional equipment and smoke restoration methods
- Trained and certified professionals
- Multiple technicians to speed up the process
- Specialized air duct cleaning and purification
- Advanced odor removal techniques
- Help with home insurance claims
Do you have ash, oily soot, or greasy smoke stains after a fire? Not sure where to start with the smoke damage restoration process? Call Restoration Local today at 1-877-941-2788 for a free quote and immediate smoke damage assessment. Our local professionals offer 24-hour emergency service and a 30-minute response time.
