subject: Cleaning Up After Your Home Is Smoke Damaged [print this page] If you have a fire in your house cleaning up the damage from the smoke damage might be a very big job because of all the things you have to do. Sometimes the damage is really bad, because the smoke can get in and on everything you have in the house. Some of the things that it can cause are odors, stains, health problems just to name a few. No matter what size the fire is in your house you will have smoke damage. If the fire is a big one you have to check every corner of your house, but if it is small you may only need to check that area where the fire was.
Some of your things you will have to take to a professional that cleans fire and smoke damage. They are professionals and have the proper tools for cleaning the smoke off your things so that no more damage will occur. But as far as walls, floors, the ceiling, be sure to wash any ceiling fan blades that you have in house also, windows, doors, any kind of wood items, even your knick knacks you will have to wash them down . The smoke will get into your clothes, carpets, rugs, and many other places.
For your walls have a professional come in because you could do more damage or ruin them. Paint and wallpaper will have to be striped off to get all the smoke damage and smell out of the rooms. If you have wood floors they will have to be sanded and striped and then redone to get all the residue out of them. All cabinets may have to be removed and taken out and cleaned and also striped of all paint or stain then redone. Anything like clothes, bed covers, furniture covers, curtains, and all stuffed toys need to be dry cleaned to remove the damage done to them from the smoke.
If your child has plastic toys they can be cleaned by wiping them down and soaked in water and cleaners to remove all the residue. All things metal will have to be scrubbed and wiped down to get the residue out. Do not forget your air ducts in the house because smoke can collect in them and then when turned on the smoke from them will return to inside the house. If you forget to clean the air ducts it can cause health problems like wheezing, shortness of breathe, and sometimes can cause asthma. Also included in health problems from smoke reentering the house is headaches, coughing, dizziness, and many other problems that can harm your body and your health.
