Overcoming Smoke Damage

By Author: Leo Nov
Total Articles: 883
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Fire incidents are very tricky. Most people in fact would rather experience water damage than fire damage. It is the lesser of two evils if you will consider that fire damage also leaves behind the perils of water damage (from trying to put out fire) and smoke damage. Perhaps the last type of destruction you'll attend to is the one brought about by smoke as this is the most inconspicuous (invisible odor) or the least pressing (visible soot). It doesn't mean however that it is less important.

Walls

Walls can be affected in a variety of ways during a fire. Blistering and bubbling are common because of too much heat during the incident. Paint burning or charring can also happen. Smoke can bring about discoloration on walls. If you see black marks on your walls, do not make the mistake of simply coating the damaged wall with fresh paint. You may need to sand the bubble first or thoroughly clean the walls. Some cleaning chemicals like Trisodium Phosphate are very effective. However, it can be harsh on the skin too so assess the situation carefully and do not hesitate to ask for professional help if you are ...
... not sure about what you're doing.

Fabrics

Most of the time, regular washing and even washing with bleach will not do the job. Smoke odor will just come back after washing. To make sure that smoke odor is thoroughly eliminated from fabrics, bring it to the professionals for a deodorization procedure called ozone treatment. In this process, smoke molecules are broken down. This can be done at home by professional restorers with an ozone generator or you can bring the items to an ozone room.

Eliminating smoke odor

Air fresheners can mask the odor but do not expect it to last long. A better way to approach the problem is to use natural deodorizers such as white vinegar, activated charcoal and baking soda. Not only cheap, these are also very effective in eliminating unpleasant odor. Sprinkle baking soda on furniture, wipe walls and floors with vinegar and place activated charcoal in the area. You may also leave a bowl of vinegar or baking soda in the room for days. Another efficient way to get rid of smoke odor is by letting fresh air in and out of the room.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for fire and water damage cleanups. To learn more about smoke damage restoration and smoke cleanup, visit RestorationSOS.com