Home Restoration After the Smoke Clears

Smoke damage from wildfires can be as harmful to your home as that from typical in-home fires. Forest fires create significant destruction outside the home, but because of the amount of smoke generated, along with high winds , it’s inevitable that some or much of that smoke will penetrate homes and buildings. What is often not understood is that after the smoke clears and the ashes have fallen, the damage has just begun. [Editor's Note: Ad links featured on this page are not affiliated with IICRC and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by IICRC.]

In the wake of a wildfire that has covered homes with smoke and ash, it’s important to begin clean up as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage or discoloration from soot residue. The IICRC provides the following tips for fire victims facing clean up:

• Practice safety first. Use a dust mask (like painters use) and gloves as you work.
• Ventilate the home. Place a box fan in an open window to draw the air and dust out.
• Clean from top to bottom. Start with the ceilings, walls and fixtures, and work your way down to the contents of the room, then to the floor.
• Vacuum floors and upholstery. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a high efficiency filter. Otherwise, you risk blowing soot back into the air.
• Some draperies, clothing and machine-washable items may be laundered. Use a mild alkaline cleaner to neutralize the acid in the soot. Fine clothing should be dry cleaned.
• Most exterior walls (brick, stone, wood, paint, siding) and eaves can be cleaned by spraying with a detergent, agitating soot with a soft-bristled brush, pressure washing from bottom to top, then rinsing from top to bottom.
• If the damage and residue are heavy, it may be best to hire a professional to thoroughly restore your home and belongings. The IICRC has a free hotline to find trained and certified professionals in your area. Call (800) 835-4624 or visit www.certifiedcleaners.org for a list of local certified firms.
• Check with your insurance company to see if smoke damage from outdoor sources is covered by your policy.
• If the fire has warped or distorted the structure, consult a licensed general contractor.
  

Professional restoration technicians know that damage increases and restoration costs escalate the longer neutralization, corrosion control and cleaning is delayed. When homeowners prolong the restoration of their home, they extend the effects brought on by the smoke exposure. The following is a timeline of the effects of fire and smoke on a home.

Within Minutes

Acid soot residues cause plastics to yellow; small appliances located close to the source of combustion discolor; highly porous materials (marble, alabaster) discolor permanently.

Within Hours

Acid residues stain grout in bathrooms; fiberglass bath fixtures may yellow; uncoated metals tarnish, counter tops may yellow; finishes on appliances, partic...