Fire & smoke
Smoke damage and soot cleanup
Smoke odor lingers because particles settle into porous surfaces and ductwork. Removing it takes cleaning the soot, cleaning or sealing affected surfaces, cleaning the HVAC, and treating the air. Air fresheners only mask it.
- Free call, no obligation
- Serving 22 DFW cities
- Independent, local restoration companies
- Documentation for your insurance claim
Small kitchen fires, a candle, or a neighbor's fire can leave soot and odor across a whole house. Protein fires from burned food leave almost-invisible residue with a very strong smell.
Each smoke type needs a different cleaning method, which is why wiping walls with household cleaner often makes it worse.
What to do first
- 1.Ventilate with windows open.
- 2.Change the HVAC filter.
- 3.Don't scrub soot with water.
- 4.Bag and wash clothing separately.
Smoke and soot cleanup at a glance
- Category
- Fire & smoke
- Area
- Dallas–Fort Worth
- Urgency
- Schedule soon; fix the moisture source now
- Who does the work
- Independent local restoration company
Signs you need smoke and soot cleanup
- Black webs in corners (soot tags)
- Yellow film on cabinets
- Odor that returns when the AC runs
- Gray streaks around vents and outlets
- Smoke smell in clothes and bedding
How the work is done
- 1
Identify smoke type
Dry, wet, protein or fuel residue determines cleaning chemistry.
- 2
Surface cleaning
Dry soot sponges first, then wet cleaning where appropriate.
- 3
HVAC cleaning
Ducts and the air handler are cleaned so odor doesn't recirculate.
- 4
Odor treatment
Thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators or ozone, and sealing primers where needed.
Before and after
Kitchen fire
Charred materials removed, soot cleaned, odor treated, then cabinets, surfaces and finishes rebuilt.
Example photos (stock), not a job by any company on this site.
What affects the cost
Pricing is set by the restoration company after an inspection. These are the factors that move it.
- Square footage affected
- Smoke type
- HVAC cleaning
- Contents cleaning
- Painting with sealer
Safe to handle yourself
- Ventilate
- Launder washable fabrics
- Change HVAC filters
Stop and call a pro
- Soot on walls and ceilings
- Odor that returns
- Smoke in ductwork
Smoke and soot cleanup FAQ
How long does smoke smell last?
Without treatment it can last months or years, returning on hot, humid days. Professional deodorization usually takes one to three days once cleaning is done.
Is ozone treatment safe?
Ozone is effective but harmful to breathe. The home must be empty of people, pets and plants during treatment and aired out afterward. Hydroxyl generators can run with people present.
Related
Often needed with this
Need smoke and soot cleanup in DFW?
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