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How to Remove the Smoky Smell from your House after a Fire

How to Remove the Smoky Smell from your House after a Fire

If your home has suffered damage from a fire, it likely has a lingering smoky smell that will not go away.

Unfortunately, flames are not the only thing that causes damage in a house fire. The smoke that rises from the fire can also cause extensive damage to your home that leaves a long-last odor, reminding you of the horrific fire.

Learn how you can eliminate this smell from your house after a fire below.

How to Rid Your Home of the Smoky Smell

Smoke particles attach and embed themselves to surfaces and porous materials such as carpet, furniture, and walls. The smells that compromise the air quality inside and can be harmful to any occupants of the home. Because of this, immediate steps must be taken to have the property properly cleaned and restored. Here’s what you can do:

Air out Your House

The first step you should take to remove that smoky scent is to air it out by opening your doors and windows. Doing this allows proper ventilation and fresh air to enter. Strategically place fans throughout the space to expedite the process, so the air is forced from one end of the house to the other.

Create Positive Pressure

In most cases, opening the windows and doors to air out your property won’t be enough to remove the smoky odor from your house. If this is the case, you may need to use positive pressure to rid your home of the stink. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the main entrance to your property and place a big fan facing inwards, just outside the door.
  2. Close all other doors and windows in your property, except keep one window open that acts as an exhaust. This will force fresh air into the property while pushing out the remaining smoky
  3. Turn on the fan to the highest setting and blow out your property for 15 minutes or more.
  4. In another room, open the door and one of its window and repeat the process.
  5. Continue doing this for each room in your property until they have been aired out using this method.

Thoroughly Clean Your Property

The only way you will get rid of that smoky smell is by cleaning all of the surfaces and items affected by the smoke. This includes:

  • Carpets and upholstery
  • Items made of fabric, such as rugs, towels, bedding, curtains, clothes, etc.
  • Windows
  • HVAC system
  • Solid surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, doors, counters, furniture, lights, cupboards, etc.

Repaint Your House

If the smell still lingers, your walls have likely absorbed the smokey smell and will need to be repainted. Before you begin painting, make sure to wash your walls and let them completely dry. Use a paint primer (even in you don’t need a primer, it will help seal in the odors), then apply a coat or two paint.

Contact the Experts at Restoremasters

Fires in your home or business can be devastating. Not only can fires cause structural damage, but can also damage, or even destroy, many of your personal belongings. The vast majority of the DIY methods are not enough to remove that smoky smell from your house and possessions. Thankfully, the experts at Restoremasters can help. We utilize the latest technology to rid your home of damage and the smell. If your home in the Wasatch Front, from Salt Lake City to Provo, has suffered damage from fire and smoke, contact our experienced team today!

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