How To Deal With Smoke Damage

If you’ve ever experienced a house fire, you know they’re a huge pain to deal with. Besides the damage to your property and possessions you also have to deal with any water damage from the cleanup. But what about smoke damage? If smoke harming your property isn’t something that occurred to you you might want to read on to learn how to deal with this nuisance.

Fire Prevention

You might be surprised at how the simplest thing can start a fire in your home. We recently just restored a home that had a fire caused by a dehumidifier. There are of course circumstances that are beyond our control, but there are steps you can take to avoid a disaster.

What You Can Do

To begin, you should always be mindful and aware of what’s going on in your home. When you or someone in your home is cooking, always turn off the oven and stove top when you have finished using them. Don’t leave candles unattended and always blow them out before you go to bed or leave the house.

Another tip to try is to pull out your oven every few years and clean any grease buildup. It is also very important to monitor your electrical outlets. If an outlet is not producing any power we recommend unscrewing the cover from the wall to make sure that it hasn’t burnt out. Other than that just make sure to always unplug any hair appliances, small kitchen appliances, fans, heaters, etc.

Different Types of Smoke Damage

When a fire starts, smoke damage can spread through your home very quickly and in different ways. Some damage can be repaired, other damage may call for replacement. Often furniture, drapes, or blinds have to be replaced and cannot be restored.

Soot and Charring

The black marks and discoloration on walls and ceilings after a fire are referred to as charring caused by the paint burning. Soot is a fine black residue left from the smoke. If the damage is not too severe, it can be repaired through cleaning and a fresh coat of paint. If the walls need to be completely rebuilt, you can always call a restoration company to turn what would have been an irreparable situation into a positive outcome.

Blistering and Bubbling

If you’re not sure what blistering and bubbling is, it’s when the excessive heat burns underneath your paint or wallpaper causing blisters. They can be repaired by scraping off the bubble, sanding it down, applying spackle and repainting.

Odor

The odor left by smoke damage can be tricky to deal with. It is often stubborn and cannot be eradicated with a one time fix. You can try a combination of remedies like using vinegar, baking soda, activated charcoal, or febreze. If the odor has imbedded itself too deep into the carpets they may have to be replaced by a restoration company.

DIY Clean Up

The most important thing to remember if you are performing your own clean up is to wear protective gear. Use goggles and gloves because you will most likely have to use harsh chemicals. It is also important to make sure there is ventilation, so you aren’t breathing in the harsh chemicals or the soot. If you believe the damage to your home is minimal and you can take care of it yourself, you can follow an in-depth guide here.

Health Risks

Whether you handle the damage yourself or hire a restoration company to help, you need to move quickly. The possible harm from a fire doesn’t end when it’s put out. Inhaling soot or smoke can cause minor to severe health problems including respiratory distress, heart attack, asthma, and stroke. Especially in the elderly, infants, or people who already have existing health issues.

What If The Damage Is More Severe?

More often than not there will be more damage than appears. Smoke damage can hide in air ducts, wall cavities, closets, and windows. It is also difficult to determine the extent of the damage and everything that needs to be done to get your house back into working order. It is important to get started as soon as possible to prevent further damage. A restoration company can help you here. They have the tools and the know-how to accomplish what needs to be done to save your home. Kelmann can immediately respond to the needs of your home and take the stress off of your shoulders.

Want More Info?

If you are worried that your home is at risk for a fire give us a call at 414-774-3799 and we can perform a home inspection for you. Also feel free to contact us with any other questions you may have.

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