There’s a common misconception that once the fire is extinguished, the damage is done. However, smoke and soot can continue to create damage long after the fire trucks have left the scene. Even if the fire is small, localized and put out quickly, you could still have extensive smoke damage throughout the property.

To mitigate damage, it’s important to begin the smoke and soot removal process as soon as possible. Without immediate attention, your property and possessions could become permanently damaged. Acidic soot and smoke can permanently discolor porous materials, yellow walls, and cause rust and corrosion if not dealt with right away.

Why is Smoke and Soot Removal Important?

Smoke and soot are a health concern. When parts of a structure that are made of non-organic materials catch fire, they release highly toxic, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be extremely harmful – even lethal – if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin.

The fact that you can’t see VOCs with the naked eye makes them especially dangerous. Their microscopic nature means that they can easily travel from the lungs into the bloodstream and have a detrimental impact on the body’s organs, including the brain.

In addition to serious health concerns, smoke and soot can cause cumulative damage to your property long after the flames have been extinguished. When halogen-containing plastics catch fire, hydrochloric acid and other chemicals are formed. This acid can degrade building materials and personal possessions over time. As a result, smoke and soot damage can compromise the structural integrity of a building down the line.

Smoke also damages electronics, such as stereos, computers and appliances with electronic components. Like other smoke and soot damage, the effects can be cumulative. As chemicals continue to degrade the electronic circuits, there’s a high probability that they will eventually short-circuit.

You also do not want to let smoke and related odors linger too long because they will soak into furniture, carpets, and into the walls. The longer you leave smoke damage, the harder it is going to be to do the repair work.

For these reasons, it’s important to begin the smoke and soot removal process as soon as it’s safe to do so.

How Do You Clean Soot Off Walls After a Fire?

Our team uses a variety of techniques and professional equipment to remove soot and smoke damage from ceilings, walls and other surfaces. This includes disinfecting and hand wiping the entire structure to ensure all smoke and soot is removed. To deodorize your space and ensure microscopic soot particles aren’t left behind, our technicians employ air scrubbers and Hydroxyl generators.

How Do You Get Rid of Smoke and Soot?

At Dry Kings our smoke and soot removal process is designed to restore your property to its pre-loss state. Our technicians follow these important steps:

1. Remove Contaminated Air

Our technicians will place box fans throughout the contaminated space and open all windows. We will then set up HEPA filters to cleanse the air from microscopic dust and smoke particles.

2. Remove Any Loose Smoke Contamination

Our professional cleaning team will use special dry sponges to remove loose smoke from contents, furniture and surfaces.

3. Deep Clean

We will then use a special chemical to deep clean the affected surfaces. A vacuum cleaner that’s equipped with a HEPA particulate filter will be used to remove soot and smoke from carpets and upholstery.

4. Launder Items

To neutralize acids from soot, we will use a special alkaline cleaner on washable items such as clothing, curtains and bedding. This will ensure that acids are neutralized, and contaminants and odors are removed.

5. Final clean

Lastly, we will clean the eaves and exterior walls with a pressure washer to loosen any stubborn soot particles. We will deep clean the outside of the structure until all soot and smoke has been successfully removed.

Call the Soot & Smoke Removal Experts at Dry Kings

Our smoke and soot removal service is designed to make your home clean and safe again so that your business or home can thrive. If you’ve experienced a fire event, Dry Kings can be there as soon as you need us to deal with smoke and soot removal. To learn more, give us a call at 844-DRY-KING. We will respond as soon as possible to meet your water, fire, and smoke damage recovery needs.