Prevent Smoke Odors from Invading Your Home

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

The bottom line is it’s difficult to get rid of smoke odor in a home after a fire. To eliminate smoke odors, the cleanup process must incorporate specific equipment and techniques that can only be provided by a professional restoration company. As a result, we don’t recommend people take on this project on their own. Look at the stages involved in repairing smoke damage.

The types of smoke odor

Smoke is made up of persistent particles (soot), oils, and gases that arise from incomplete combustion. The unpleasant smoke odor is caused by volatile molecules released by burning things.

Burning protein (meat), natural materials (wood, cotton, etc.), synthetic materials (e.g., plastic, nylon) and other substances can produce smoke odor.

How to remove smoke smell from properties

The most crucial step in removing smoke odor is to eliminate the source of the odor(s). Burned items, such as cabinets, furniture, walls, and non-salvageable contents, must be removed. Depending on their condition, the goods can be tossed or restored.

Cleaning the salvageable contents

Technicians use proper cleaning materials to clean the salvageable artifacts. Exterior surfaces such as walls, windows, and decks are pressure washed, scrubbed, and disinfected. Interior walls and hard surfaces can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water, then thoroughly rinsed. Cleaning inside cabinets, drawers, and closets, as well as washing household objects, will be done by professionals.

Cleaning the air ducts

A fire’s smoke, soot, and odors will permeate the duct system, as well as any dust or particles within it. As a result, cleaning the ducts early in the smoke odor removal process is critical to avoid the HVAC system recontamination of previously cleaned areas. Ductwork cleaning should only be done by professionals, as it calls for the use of specific equipment and processes.

Removing the smoke smell

The final stage is removing the lingering airborne odor. SERVPRO Professionals are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors with industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment. This equipment can effectively treat serious and persistent odors that typical air fresheners and similar treatments can’t.

• Air scrubbers remove airborne particles and contaminants.
• Thermal foggers and deodorization agents control odors.

SERVPRO of S. San Rafael/Sausalito has the training and equipment to identify and eliminate harmful smoke odors. By identifying the cause of the odor and determining the conditions in which it contacts any surfaces, the odor can often be removed without a trace. The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing, so give SERVPRO of S. San Rafael/Sausalito a call and leave the restoration to us.