Smoke Damage Restoration
The goal of smoke damage restoration is to restore your home to its original condition, which it was before the smoke damage occurred. Smoke hazards pose significant health risks to inhabitants.
Water Damage Restoration Pro’s priority is to fully satisfy you while restoring your home, place of business, or other property from smoke hazards. We offer the best guarantee in the industry to support our smoke restoration services.
The Health Hazards of Smoke Damage
Smoke damage can expose you and your family to a number of health risks. Here are a few of them:
| Health Hazard | Description |
| Respiratory problems | Smoke damage can cause respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It can also exacerbate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis. |
| Eye irritation | Smoke can cause eye irritation, including redness, itching, and watering. In severe cases, smoke exposure can cause temporary or permanent vision loss. |
| Skin irritation | Contact with smoke can cause skin irritation, including redness, itching, and rash. |
| Headaches | Exposure to smoke can cause headaches, including migraines and tension headaches. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Smoke exposure can cause nausea and vomiting, particularly in individuals with pre-existing conditions such as motion sickness or pregnancy. |
| Carbon monoxide poisoning | Smoke damage can release carbon monoxide, a toxic gas that can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and in severe cases, death. |
| Cancer | Long-term exposure to smoke can increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly lung cancer. |
It’s important to take smoke damage seriously and address it promptly to minimize the risk of these health hazards.
Smoke Damage Restoration Process
This kind of restoration process begins with meticulous soot cleanup from all damaged surfaces and concludes with smoke removal and deodorizing procedures applied throughout the entire location. The procedure is outlined in these six steps. Before starting the work, Water Damage Restoration Pro experts always put on appropriate protection gear.
1. Pay Attention to Air Circulation
Our technicians keep doors and windows open when cleaning up so fresh air can help eliminate smoky smells. While removing soot from these locations, we keep fans running in the affected areas that have to be dried up.
2. Vacuum Soot from Affected Surfaces
Our experts lay out some plastic drop cloths first. Next, they utilize a HEPA filter vacuum to remove powdered soot from the furniture. Our crew gently passes the upholstery attachment of the vacuum over the problematic zones.
The vacuum nozzle is held in place so that the debris is sucked up into the suction attachment. This technique reduces the possibility of embedding hazardous particles into surfaces covered with soot.
3. Dry-Sponge Ceilings and Walls
It is not possible to use a vacuum on the ceiling and walls. Instead, we use a dry sponge designed especially for removing soot. We avoid filling the sponge too full since the substance in these vulcanized rubber items collects the powdery residue.
Vertical, overlapping strokes are used to apply to surfaces. Our experts work from the bottom of walls to the ceiling, wiping soot a few inches at a time. We repeat the same overlapping approach to clean the ceiling.
4. Use a Degreaser to Wrap Up the Soot Cleanup
We finish cleaning using a mixture of one gallon of warm water and one tablespoon of solvent post removing the surface layers. A solution of white vinegar and warm water can also be used as an alternative. Soot is also removed from glass using a dry sponging and disinfecting combination.
5. Address Any Remaining Smoke Odors
The most significant component of the smoke damage restoration process is soot removal. Although surface impurities get removed by vacuums and sponges, there are still overpowering, unpleasant smoking aromas to deal with.
In smoke-affected areas, we place vinegar bowls or baking soda. Our experts also use sachets of activated charcoal to eliminate lingering smells. Professionals like us who restore smoke damage conduct the task with specialized tools to expedite smoke removal.
6. Evaluate Personal Belongings
You may adopt DIY methods to clean and wash furniture, bedding, or clothing that is not immediately exposed to soot and smoke. However, it’s preferable to leave the tasks in the hands of professionals such as Water Damage Restoration Pro, who can take care of your personal effects in a better way.
With their support, you will be confident that there is no hint of soot and smoke odor in the seemingly clean objects.
These are the most effective smoke damage restoration procedures that Water Damage Restoration Pro follows. We know how hazardous this situation can be and realize that prompt action is one of the critical aspects of a successful smoke damage restoration.
Therefore, we depute our specialized crew to the scene immediately since we are committed to preventing more smoke damage to your property.
FAQ
The length of time it takes to restore smoke damage depends on several factors, including the extent of the damage, the type of materials affected, and the restoration techniques used. In general, smoke damage restoration can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Here are some factors that can affect the timeline for smoke damage restoration:
Inspection and assessment: The restoration process typically begins with an inspection and assessment of the smoke damage. This can take a few hours to a full day, depending on the size and complexity of the property.
Cleaning and deodorizing: The cleaning and deodorizing process can take several days or more, depending on the extent of the damage. Smoke damage restoration professionals will typically use specialized equipment and techniques to clean and deodorize affected materials and surfaces.
Structural repairs: If the smoke damage has affected the structure of the building, such as the walls or ceiling, structural repairs may be necessary. This can add several days or weeks to the restoration timeline, depending on the extent of the damage.
Content restoration: Smoke damage can also affect the contents of the building, such as furniture and personal belongings. Restoring these items can take additional time, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of items involved.
It’s important to start the smoke damage restoration process as soon as possible after a fire, even if the damage seems minimal. Smoke damage can cause long-term damage to your home or business if it is not addressed promptly.
Here are some reasons why smoke damage restoration should be left to the professionals:
Safety concerns: Smoke damage can release harmful toxins into the air, which can be dangerous to your health. Professionals have the necessary equipment and training to handle these hazards safely.
Hidden damage: Smoke damage can affect areas of your home or business that are not immediately visible. Professionals have the knowledge and tools to identify and address this hidden damage.
Proper cleaning techniques: Smoke damage requires specialized cleaning techniques to be properly removed. Professionals have the expertise and equipment needed to clean and deodorize your property effectively.
Insurance coverage: If your property is insured, it is important to work with a professional restoration company to ensure that the restoration process is properly documented and covered by your insurance policy.
