Smoke damage
Fire restoration is important because fire damage and smoke damage are so insidious, and since you can’t always see it, the damage can wreak havoc on your health and your home if you are living in your house after a fire. Some of the places that smoke and soot can infiltrate include the following:- Walls
- Ceilings
- Vents
- Furniture
- HVAC systems
- Electrical sockets
Health effects of smoke damage
Fire damage restoration is imperative to counteract the health effects of smoke damage after you have experienced a fire in your home because areas of your home may look fine but the air may be toxic. The number one health effect of smoke damage is the influx of respiratory problems you could experience. Your sinuses and lungs can both be affected when living in a place that has experienced a fire. In addition to breathing problems from melted PVC, tar, and carbon monoxide, the smoke and soot can irritate your skin and your eyes. People who live in their homes after a fire often have red, itchy, and watery eyes, and they often have skin irritations from rubbing against smoke-infected furniture or clothes.How a fire restoration company can help
A fire damage restoration company is needed for several reasons if you have experienced a blaze. In addition to the smoke damage, the fire itself can cause structural damage to your home. The structural damage is more obvious, but a qualified restoration company will be able to access the smoke damage as well. Additionally, water meant to stop the fire can cause further water damage, and mold can grow in as little as 24 hours. The fire damage restoration team will utilize high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums in order to eradicate the smoke and soot. This is so critical because if you tried to vacuum yourself you would just blow the soot all through the air.After a fire, returning to normal as soon as possible is of paramount importance. But just because your home looks okay does not mean that it is safe for you to live in your home. Hire a reputable fire damage restoration professional to clean the air of smoke and soot damage. A qualified fire restoration company can also point you to independent air quality testing so you know if the air quality has improved after the remediation. If you take these steps you will be able to sleep more peacefully, knowing that your health and your home will remain intact.For more info or to schedule a consultation, contact us today at 805-443-8055
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after a house fire can you move back in?
It depends on how much damage the fire caused. After a small kitchen fire with light smoke, families sometimes return within days once the home is cleaned and the power is cleared. Bigger fires with structural damage can mean weeks or months away. Your local fire department and a restoration company can tell you when the home is actually safe.
Is it safe to sleep in a house with smoke damage?
Usually not until the smoke residue is cleaned. Soot particles and chemical residue from burned plastics hang in the air and settle on bedding, carpet and furniture, then get stirred up every time you move. Sleeping in that environment can irritate your lungs, eyes and skin. Kids, older adults and anyone with asthma should stay elsewhere until cleaning is done.
Does homeowners insurance pay for a hotel after a fire?
Most homeowners policies include additional living expenses, sometimes called loss of use coverage. It typically pays for a hotel or rental, extra food costs and other added expenses while your home is uninhabitable. Limits vary, so check your policy and save every receipt. Let your adjuster know right away if you cannot stay in the house.
Can smoke smell be completely removed from a house?
In most cases, yes. Getting rid of smoke odor means cleaning soot from every surface, including inside cabinets, vents and ductwork, then using deodorizing methods like thermal fogging, ozone or hydroxyl treatment to break down odor that has gone into porous materials. Painting over smoke stains without sealing them first usually lets the smell come back.
What should I do first after a house fire?
Make sure everyone is safe and do not go back inside until the fire department says it is OK. Then call your insurance company, secure the property against weather and break-ins, and take photos of everything. Contact a fire and smoke damage restoration company early, since soot becomes harder to remove the longer it sits on surfaces.
Can I clean soot off my walls myself?
Light soot on a small area can sometimes be handled with a dry chemical sponge, but it is easy to make things worse. Wiping soot with water or regular cleaners often smears it deeper into paint and drywall. Soot is also acidic and can carry toxic residue. For anything more than a small patch, professional cleaning is safer and works better.
What should be thrown away after a house fire?
Throw out food, drinks, medicine and cosmetics that were exposed to heat, smoke or firefighting water, even if the packaging looks fine. Burned clothing, mattresses and badly charred furniture usually go too. Many other items, including clothes, dishes and electronics, can be professionally cleaned. Photograph and list everything before you toss it so your insurance claim is complete.
Can clothes and fabrics be saved after smoke damage?
Many can. Clothes, linens and curtains with smoke odor or light soot often clean up well with specialized laundering and deodorizing. Washing them at home in a regular machine can set the odor and spread soot, so it is better to leave them for a restoration company. Fabrics that were charred, melted or soaked with dirty water usually cannot be saved.
What happens to my belongings during fire restoration?
Your belongings are usually packed out, inventoried and cleaned while the home itself is repaired. Our packout service stores items either in a secure container on your property or in our warehouse, so they are protected from further damage. Once the house is clean and repaired, everything comes back. Call 805-443-8055 to talk through what a packout would look like for your home.
Can wildfire smoke damage a house that did not burn?
Yes. During wildfire season in Ventura County and Santa Barbara County, smoke and ash can work into attics, HVAC systems, carpets and fabrics, even miles from the fire. Signs include a lingering smoky smell, fine ash on sills, and gray film on surfaces. Replace HVAC filters, avoid sweeping ash dry, and check whether your insurance policy covers the cleaning.
