If you’re one of the more than 350,000 homeowners or renters in the U.S. to experience a house fire each year, restoring your home to a safe and healthy environment must be a priority. Even after the removal of damaged furniture, appliances, carpet, etc., you may find that the smell of smoke lingers in your home. Without professional soot and smoke smell removal, that odor is unlikely to go away. Worse, the smell is indicative that dangerous chemicals are present, and your health may be at risk. Read on for what you need to know about fire and smoke smell removal.
Why Does the Smell of Smoke Linger After a Fire?
The reason you continue to smell smoke after a fire is due to odor molecules that have attached to the inside of your home. They may be embedded in walls, the ceiling, carpets, clothing, or fabric furniture. The odor is a warning sign that there are toxic chemicals in your home, that you should not be breathing.
Hiring a professional fire damage restoration company is the best way to begin removing soot and smoke, thereby protecting your health. Fire damage restoration companies will typically provide comprehensive restoration services including:
- Structural Cleaning
- Soot Cleanup
- Floor Cleaning
- Duct Cleaning
- Furniture Cleaning
- Smoke Smell Removal
Fire and Smoke Smell Removal: Steps a Fire Damage Restoration Company May Take
To remove the dangerous residual chemicals causing the smoke smell in your home, the emergency restoration company will likely use a combination of the following:
- Air purifiers
- Air scrubbing, using a HEPA scrubber to remove particulates
- Ozone treatment
- Specialized cleaning solutions for hard surfaces
- Specialized disinfectants
The specific services necessary to eliminate the smell of smoke in your home will depend on the type of smoke damage you have sustained. Several types of smoke t may have damaged your home:
Dry Smoke
Burning paper or wood, such as walls or the ceiling will leave dry smoke residue. This is the easiest type of fire and smoke smell to remove as it is lighter than wet smoke.
Wet Smoke
Heavy, sticky smoke known as wet smoke typically results from burned plastic or rubber.
Protein Smoke
This type of smoke results when food or organic materials burn. It is a common type of smoke after a kitchen fire.
Fuel Oil/Oily Smoke
Also called petroleum residue, this type of smoke is caused by furnace puff backs. This type of smoke is very dangerous to inhale, as it is caused by fuel sources.
Resident or Tenant Smoking
Smoke residue from cigarettes or marijuana also typically requires professional smoke smell removal surfaces as this type of smoke damage clings to walls, ceilings, floors, and ducts.
Health Risks of Living in a Home with a Smoke Smell
If you smell smoke in your home, you’re breathing in toxins that are not good for you. These toxins can cause serious health problems including:
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Cancer
- Eye Irritation
- Heart Attack, Stroke, Cardiovascular Disease
- Sinus Infections
- Skin Rashes, Dryness, Irritation
- Worsening Respiratory Problems (COPD, Emphysema)
Schedule Fire Damage Restoration, Including Odor Removal in Southern Oregon
ProKleen provides comprehensive fire damage restoration services in Southern Oregon. 24/7 services available include clean-up, roof boarding, reconstruction, air purification, and smoke smell removal. Our team is licensed and certified to restore your home to health and safety. For emergency services call 541-857-1818. For non-emergency services, feel free to send us a message.