Smoke Odor Removal : Remove Smoke after The Fire is Gone

Removing smoke odor after the fire is gone, is one of the most challenging aspects of after fire cleaning. Depending on the cause of the fire and the nature of the materials that got burnt, the smell of smoke may be so stubborn that ordinary after fire cleaning might not be sufficient to get rid of it. But there are certain measures you can take to increase your chances of permanently getting rid of the smell in the fire’s aftermath, and some of them include the following:

Act quickly

The longer you let the smoke odor linger in the burnt rooms or surfaces, the harder it will be to make it go away. This implies that after fire cleaning should start immediately to remove the smell as soon as possible.

Dispose of items containing smoke

Before embarking on after fire cleaning, be sure to remove all the items that could potentially be holding onto the smoke. These may include items such as carpets, burnt furniture, insulations, and clothes amongst others. It will be easier to get rid of the smoke odor when it is held by very few objects.

Fan it out

If the weather permits, open all the doors and windows, and use fans to circulate fresh air into the room. This will not just help to decrease the odor, but will also help in drying out the moisture, which might have accumulated during the fire extinguishing process.

Remove all the soot

Soot left behind by the fire will contain acids and chemicals that cannot only damage the fabrics, but also will contribute to more odor in the room. They should thus be removed, and the surfaces must be cleaned and dried using water and appropriate detergents.

Deodorize the textiles

In order to break the smoke molecules responsible for causing the odor, deodorizing the textile should be part of the after fire cleaning process. There are various smoke order counteractants that can be used for this purpose.

Repaint your walls

After-fire home restoration professionals cannot restore faded paint. Once your paint is consumed by smoke, you have to repaint. Before repainting, thoroughly wash the walls using an ammonia-glycol based cleaning product. Latex paint would be the most preferred paint type for smoke-damaged walls. 

House tent fumigation

Though used on pests, you can combine fumigation tents with an ozone treatment generator to eliminate any orders in the house. The method is practical on items taken to the dry cleaners, like couches and large rugs. It is more economical to rent this machine to buying. 

Thermal fogging machine

Smoke damage responds instantly to thermal flogging. The machine releases pressurized smoke droplets, which then spread in the room; smoke is released the same way. Thermal fogging is an effective method, preferably when working with professional smoke cleaners at KBS—fogging works pretty well when dealing with a large area. 

Thorough property cleaning

The end goal to eliminate the last traces of smoke on your property is through after smoke cleaning. Professional after fire cleaning Montreal will get rid of smoke odor and clean all affected surfaces and items. You could also need an exterior expert cleaner to remove any stains properly. 
 

Areas of Concern for After Fire Cleaning

Carpet and upholstery cleaning

Carpeting and upholstery are the deep absorbers of smoke particles in the house. Unless these fabrics are thoroughly cleaned, smoke odor will still be present within the environment. Carpets and upholstery are cleaned through the baking soda technique.

Sprinkle baking soda on the smelling areas and let it sit for at least 24 hours. Baking soda absorbs the smoke particles. Afterward, vacuum up the baking soda using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, a high-efficiency particulate filter. HEPA filter absorbs the tinniest smoke particles preventing them from blowing back.

HVAC system

Once smoke gets to your air conditioning system, it will harm the entire properties air quality. After a fire incident, take precautionary measures to change your HVAC filters. 

Solid surface

A solid-surface attracts most smoke particles. Make sure to thoroughly clean exterior and interior parts of cabinets, ceiling, doors, lighting fixtures and shelving units. Professionals can thoroughly clean these surfaces through wiping with clean water and soap. 

Mop uncarpeted floor with lots of water. If you purpose to go DIY entirely, find the right cleaning products for furniture clean ups. If the furniture is movable, air-dry them over direct sunlight.

Windows

Smoke damage may blur window panes and block direct sunlight. Wash windowpanes, blinds, screens, sills and frames. Pay attention to smoke residues on wooden blinds. Use a cleaning method safe for use on wood. 

If you follow these smoke cleaning steps and still realize more smoke particles, do not hesitate to call KBS Maintenance. The company has, for years, assisted homeowners in smoke odor removal and after fire cleaning.