Smoke Damage Restoration Process: What to Expect
We’re not blowing smoke about this complex restoration process
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Smoke damage can cause damage to your home, your belongings, and your health.
A smoke damage restoration company can remove all traces of smoke and restore your home.
The smoke damage restoration process will depend on the cause and extent of the damage.
After any kind of fire in your home, you may be left with smoke damage even if the fire damage itself wasn’t severe. Smoke can cause corrosion and damage to your home and the items in it—and it poses some serious health risks. Our guide to the smoke damage restoration process will tell you what to expect after smoke has affected your home.
What Is Smoke Damage Restoration?
Smoke damage, unlike fire damage, may not cause immediate destruction but can lead to serious damage over time. Smoke is insidious and can reach parts of your home you can’t easily see or access, and can corrode, deteriorate, or otherwise damage parts of your home if left unaddressed. It’s also not safe to live in a house with smoke damage—the lingering effects of smoke can cause serious health issues for your household.
Smoke damage restoration is the process of restoring your home to its pre-fire condition. The specifics of the process will vary depending on the cause and extent of the smoke damage, but most restoration will include some common steps.
The Smoke Damage Restoration Process
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The smoke damage restoration process will be tailored to your situation, and the steps involved will depend on the extent of the damage. Smoke damage restoration should begin as soon as possible after a fire—the longer you wait, the more at risk you and your home will be. Here’s what to expect when you hire a local smoke damage restoration company.
1. Damage Inspection
The first step of the restoration process is to assess your home, determine the extent and type of smoke damage, and create a restoration plan. The inspection may include areas of your home that weren’t directly affected by the fire—smoke travels easily and may have reached other parts of your home.
2. Structural Assessment
If the fire was severe enough to cause significant damage, the smoke damage restoration pros will determine if it’s safe to work in your home. They may need to wait for more severe fire damage to be dealt with before they can begin managing the smoke damage.
3. Ventilation and Air Purification
A critical part of smoke damage remediation is to increase your home’s ventilation and begin cleaning the air. Smoke can linger for a long time, so proper air circulation helps move it along. Industrial fans, HEPA filters, and other professional equipment may be deployed to improve indoor air quality.
4. Remove Smoke Damaged Items
Next, your restoration pros will remove any items that are too damaged to clean or restore. This may include carpets and other textiles, children’s belongings, and any consumable items exposed to smoke. You may also need to decide if certain items are worth the time and expense of restoring them or if replacing them is a better choice.
5. Smoke and Soot Cleaning
Your home will need to undergo a deep cleaning to remove smoke residue and soot. Pros will use specialized cleaning solutions and equipment to ensure all traces of residue are thoroughly eliminated on your walls, floors, ceilings, and belongings.
Use a HEPA vacuum and dry chemical sponges to remove surface soot before applying specialized cleaning solutions. Avoid water, as it can spread the residue.
Felicia Wilkes, Comfort Specialist at A-One Refrigeration & Heating Inc
6. Odor Removal
After everything has been deep cleaned, smoke damage restoration pros will eliminate any residual smoke odor. Depending on your situation, your smoke restoration pros may use ozone smoke removal, thermal fogging, or other odor removal methods.
7. Material Restoration
Any damaged material will need to be restored during this stage. This may include replacing drywall or flooring, resealing furniture, replacing light fixtures, and more. Every damaged item or material will need to be assessed for the best way to restore it to its pre-smoke condition.
8. Final Inspection
After the restoration process is complete, you’ll walk through the affected area with your pros to ensure your home has been restored to its original state and all traces of smoke damage have been removed.
How Much Does Smoke Damage Restoration Cost?
Smoke damage restoration costs less than fire damage restoration, which often includes significant structural restoration. Smoke remediation costs between $200 and $1,200 per room, compared to full fire damage restoration costs, which can range between $3,000 and $50,000. Heavy soot removal can add between $2,000 and $6,000 to your total project cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can likely salvage many types of textiles, items made from non-porous materials like glass and metal, and most electronics after smoke damage. Knowing what to throw away after smoke damage and what to keep can save you money after a fire and keep your household healthy and safe from lingering smoke exposure.
Depending on the cause of the smoke damage and the specifics of your policy, smoke damage restoration may be covered by your homeowners insurance. Review your policy before making a claim to see what’s covered, including replacement items, restoration costs, and temporary relocation if necessary, and ensure you have all necessary documentation required by your insurance company.
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