Smoke damage can ruin your Dundalk home, and you deserve better than that. Whether you have had a kitchen flare-up, a closed fireplace flue, or an electrical fire, smoke can darken walls and cause an odor that is hard to get rid of. Plus, the longer that the smoke damage lingers without treatment, the more that these odors can soak into walls, carpets, and furniture. It is imperative that you complete smoke damage cleanup as soon as possible so that you can save your Dundalk home and restore peace of mind to yourself and your loved ones.
Ventilate and Vacuum
In order to first prepare yourself to clean up smoke damage, it is important to ventilate the space. Open up your doors and windows and turn off any HVAC systems to avoid spreading of the smoke damage any further. Then, rent a few affordable industrial fans and aim them towards doors and windows outside. Run them for a full day to suck smoky air from the space. Then, use a shop vac to vacuum up soot and ash. Make sure that you hold the nozzle of the vacuum just above the soot – do not press down! Pressing down can cause stains to form or even damage your possessions further – which will make the process even more difficult.
Deeply Clean
After vacuuming, wipe down all hard surfaces including countertops, appliances, and furniture with a cleaning cloth. To wash walls and ceilings, wipe soot away with a dry sponge and use vinegar spray to rub away stains. Combine a tablespoon of TSP with a gallon of water to clean up, just do not forget your goggles and gloves! Wash all of your household items to ensure that you get rid of all of the smoke and ash. You should also deodorize carpets and drapes and throw away all of your food not sealed in airtight containers, but don’t forget to check on your residential HVAC unit. After all, smoke damage cleanup isn’t complete until you replace all of your HVAC filters.
Remove Odors
After you clean the majority of the damage, smoky odors will probably remain. There are a couple of ways to stop the smell of smoke. Try vinegar and baking soda, commercial brand name products for stopping odors, powdered activated charcoal, and if all else fails, open up your windows and let some fresh air into your Dundalk home.
North Arundel Contracting Can Help with Smoke Damage Cleanup!
Whether you had a massive house fire or a small kitchen fire, North Arundel Contracting is dedicated to helping you in whatever way you and your family need. If you have questions or concerns, give us a call at 410-766-2855 or fax us at 410-553-2367. Email us with your questions at [email protected]. If you have an after-hours emergency, page us at 410-541-0328. For more on our company, follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.