Aftermath of Home Fires: Understanding Smoke Damage

3/7/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Altamonte Springs / Longwood, our fire and smoke damage restoration experts have years of experience handling the aftermath of home fires.

Experiencing a home fire can be an extremely frightening and traumatic event. Once the flames have been extinguished, the focus turns to the damage left behind.

The Impact of Smoke Damage

While the damage caused by flames is visible and often the primary concern, the impact of smoke damage should not be overlooked. In fact, smoke damage can be just as devastating to a home and its contents, and it can occur even in areas where the fire did not directly reach. 

Common Issues After House Fire

The following are some of the most common issues like to smoke damage after a home fire: 

• Charring
• Warped plastic and wood
• Discoloration
• Yellow stains on walls and ceilings
• Household textiles covered in soot
• Smoke odor and particles found on upholstered furniture, drapery, clothing, and carpets

One of the most significant impacts associated with smoke damage is the presence of smoke odor throughout the home, which can linger for months if not addressed properly. Restoration professionals can rid your home of odors by cleaning and sealing surfaces, HVAC cleanings, using an AIR SCRUBBER, Ozone treatments, and thermal fogging, among other methods.

Cleaning Up

Salvaging items impacted by smoke damage generally isn’t easy for the average person without the right knowledge or tools. It is a complex process that requires the expertise of a smoke damage restoration professional.

Some methods professionals use to clean smoke are:

1. Dry cleaning: Smoke-damaged clothing and textiles can often be salvaged through professional dry cleaning.
2. Ozone treatment: Ozone machines can be used to remove smoke odor from items like furniture and carpets.
3. HEPA vacuuming: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums can remove soot and other smoke particles from surfaces.
4. Thermal fogging: This process involves using a machine that releases a fog of deodorizing chemicals to neutralize smoke odor.

To Restore or To Replace?

Specialists assess the damage to both the home and its contents, determining what can be saved and what must be discarded. Professionals often prefer to restore rather than replace damaged items because restoration is usually more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. On top of that, many items have sentimental or historical value, so professionals do their best to restore rather than replace. By restoring items to their original condition, restoration professionals can help reduce waste and preserve valuable resources for the customer—it’s a win-win.

SERVPRO of Altamonte Springs

At SERVPRO of Altamonte Springs / Longwood, our fire and smoke damage restoration experts have years of experience handling the aftermath of home fires. If you or a loved one has experienced a fire, including the associated smoke damage, please do not hesitate to contact us. We offer free consultations and are always here to help you get back on the road to recovery.