Smoke damage may range from minor to severe, and it isn’t always the result of a house fire. Regardless of the cause, if your home has been damaged by smoke, you need to address it. Here are some of the most common causes of smoke damage and ideas for how to repair the damage. 

4 Reasons Why Smoke Damage Occurs

1. House Fire

After a house fire, you can expect damage to your home not only from the flames and the smoke but from the water and foam used to extinguish the fire. You’ll need the services of a professional disaster remediation company to clean your home and restore it to its original condition.  

2. Tobacco Smoke

The doors, drywall, moldings, ceilings in your home can absorb tobacco stains and odors from years of tobacco use. Try wiping off affected surfaces with a dry-cleaning sponge and washing them down with liquid cleaner. Dry-cleaning sponges are specially treated to remove soot, dust, and dirt from delicate surfaces without water. If neither of these cleaning methods works, hire a disaster remediation company to run an ozone generator in your home to remove tobacco smoke odors. 

3. Fireplace 

Over time, your fireplace may begin to create a smoky smell that lingers in your home. You might also notice soot on the walls near your fireplace. Clean the area with white vinegar and a gentle cloth. Make an appointment with an upholstery cleaner to remove smoky odors from your furniture. 

4. Cooking

Cooking and baking may cause smoke odors and heat damage, especially if you use your kitchen a lot. Clean your range and oven after each use to prevent food residue from burning. Wash the flooring, walls, and cabinetry in your kitchen to remove stubborn odors and stains.

When fire and smoke damage your property, get in touch with Elite Contracting & Consulting. They provide 24-hour emergency restoration services for fire, smoke, flood, and water damage to residential customers in four states from their base in Saint Louis, MO. Visit them online, or call (314) 797-5220, to learn more about how they can serve your home remodeling and home restoration needs.