When a fire occurs in your home, the most important consideration is to safely evacuate everyone from the home and extinguish the flames. But once the fire trucks leave, another possible threat occurs.
According to National Statistics on Fires, fire departments respond to hundreds of thousands of residential structure fires per year in the United States, causing billions of dollars in direct property damage. In many of these “total losses,” a large portion of the damage is a result of smoke, soot, and/or the water from extinguishing the fire (not damage from the open flame alone).
In Denver, it can be even more complicated. The dry winter air, furnace use, wildland-urban interface, and tightly sealed energy-efficient homes all impact how smoke travels and where it is deposited. It is not uncommon for smoke to flow unnoticed throughout a house, caused by a small kitchen fire or electrical short, only to leave behind smoke and soot residues that will damage surfaces, carry toxins, and generate terrible odors.
This guide provides information about how hidden smoke and soot damage your Denver home after the flames are out, why the problems persist long after flames are extinguished, and when to call a professional fire damage restoration service Denver residents depend upon for comprehensive cleanup and recovery of their property.
Fire damage doesn’t end when the flames extinguish
In the moments after the fire is out and the visible damage is contained, it is human nature to assume the worst has passed. Unfortunately, the damage process is still ongoing. Smoke and soot will continue to affect structures, systems, and indoor air quality from that point on.
Soot is highly acidic, especially in moist air conditions, and it will begin etching metals, clouding glass, or dulling finishes in as little as a few hours. Once soot has settled, it can permanently stain, corrode fixtures, and shorten the life of appliances and electronics.
In addition to that, smoke particles will penetrate porous materials such as drywall, insulation, carpet padding, and other fabrics. Once smoke particles have been absorbed into those kinds of materials, they are very difficult to clean with a household cleaning agent, and if a professional deodorization treatment has not taken place, the smoke odor will return anytime the home is sealed up or if the HVAC system is turned on.
How does smoke move through your home in Denver?
Smoke will not act like a simple visible cloud but will behave more like a gas. It will travel along pressure differences, temperature gradations, and air currents, and disperse, sometimes quickly, away from the fire room or area to other areas of your home.
Extremely small particles, widespread damage
Smoke particles are extremely small; most are less than one micron in size. Since these particles are so small, it makes it easy for them to pass through cracks, gaps, and openings such as electrical outlets, light fixtures, ductwork, and tiny seams around doors or windows. Once within hidden spaces, they linger as an unseen film that keeps off-gassing odors and causes corrosion.
Odors remain inside tight, energy-efficient homes
Many Denver homes are built or retrofitted with energy efficiency in mind and have tighter building envelopes with very few natural air leaks. While this is great for comfort and utility bills, it also means the smoke and soot have few escape routes. Instead of dissipating, it gets trapped inside wall cavities, insulation, and soft contents.
Different types of smoke and soot (and why it matters)
The kind of material combusted and how intense the fire was will impact what kind of smoke and soot is left behind. This is significant because the kind of smoke and soot also impacts the cleaning agents or methods used to remove it.
- Dry Smoke
Dry smoke comes from fires that burn fast and are high-temperature fires, often paper, wood, or some electrical fires, and the soot is lighter and powdery. Specialized HEPA vacuums and dry sponges (not wet cleaning) can allow easier removal from hard surfaces. However, if not properly handled, it can become pushed further into cracks and crevices and porous materials.
- Wet Smoke
Wet smoke comes from fires that burned slowly, smoldered, and at a lower temperature, many times burning plastics, rubber, or other synthetic materials. Wet soot is thick, sticky, and smears. It adheres aggressively to surfaces, significantly more difficult to properly clean with any household products, often making it more difficult to remove when cleaning improperly.
- Protein Residues
Kitchen fires involving meat, fats, oils, and/or similar residues leave protein-based residues and/or deposits. These residues can be nearly invisible but have a very strong, lingering odor. Protein residues tend to cover components within the kitchen, such as cabinets, ceilings, appliances, and other surfaces, creating a thin, difficult-to-remove film that does not respond well to basic cleaning sprays.
By understanding what type of residue we are dealing with, restoration professionals can then select the correct cleaning chemistry and procedures, reducing damage and preventing permanent staining.
What are fire restoration professionals trained to do?
Fire, smoke, soot, and water damage restoration is highly technical. A professional fire restoration company in Denver has the right training and the right equipment to restore your home safely and thoroughly.
First, we carefully inspect the affected areas, both visible and hidden. During this step, we often conduct surface tests, examine wall cavity areas, inspect the attic and basement, and assess whether the HVAC system and ductwork have been affected.
Second, we develop a step-by-step process, which may involve:
- Securing and setting up containment
- Safely discarding damaged materials
- Water extraction and drying out the structure
- Soot removal using HEPA vacuums and specialized sponges
- Cleaning based on residue type
- Deodorizing using various applications (thermal fogging or hydroxyl generators, etc.)
- Cleaning and sealing surfaces to impede residual odors
We work to document all of this, moisture readings, photographs, an itemized list of losses, and drying logs, to help support your insurance claim and expedite the approval process.
What homeowners should do (and should NOT do) after a fire
After a fire, you may think to start wiping sooty surfaces, scrubbing, washing everything, etc. Some may help; some will only make the restoration process much harder.
Things you should do:
- Wait until the appropriate authorities tell you it is safe to enter.
- Take as many pictures and videos of the damage as possible before moving or cleaning.
- Try to limit your movement through sooty areas to prevent tracking.
- Open windows, if it is safe to do so, to allow some ventilation of outside air.
- Take gently unmarked items out to a clean place.
Don’t:
- Use household vacuums on burnt surfaces.
- Wipe down walls, ceilings, or furniture with common cleaners.
- Run the HVAC system before it has been inspected and cleaned.
- Use deodorizer sprays or air fresheners to “cover up” the smoke smells.
- Plug in or turn on electronics that were in the fire area.
When in doubt, leave items where they are until a restoration professional can provide input.
Conclusion: Restoration Beyond the Flames
A house fire can be traumatizing, and once the flames are extinguished, you will probably want to focus on what you can see: the charred contents, broken glass, and burnt belongings. However, the real and long-term damage is often that which you cannot see, the smoke that has traveled everywhere and contaminated every corner, or the water that has soaked deeply into the building materials.
Regal Restoration is a well-known restoration contractor in Denver focused on dealing with restoration from smoke, fire, and soot damage, and water cleanup and restoration. Regal Restoration will dispatch certified technicians to respond quickly, assess the damage, both visible and hidden, and plan restoration to salvage as much of your home and belongings as possible.
We communicate clearly, document the damages for your insurance, and demonstrate genuine care throughout the cleanup and repair process. Contact us to restore both your home and your peace of mind when the threat of smoke, soot, and water becomes a reality.
FAQs
- If it were a small fire, do I really need professional smoke cleanup?
YES! Small fires create smoke and soot that travel very far away from the point of the fire; if not cleaned by professionals, elements may corrode materials, keep old odors, and lead to future health concerns. - How quickly after a fire should I contact a fire restoration company?
As soon as the fire department clears the building as “safe,” it is safe for you to return. As soon as restoration professionals can perform mitigation work, there will be a better chance of salvaging materials, and your overall costs will be lower. - Can’t I just paint over the smoke-stained walls and ceilings?
No! Surfaces affected by smoke will need to be cleaned and treated first, and then a proper stain and odor-blocking primer should be applied. Just painting over smoke, like some do with water stains, almost always leads to bleed-through and odor. - Are smoke odors permanent?
No! The majority of smoke odors can be cleaned and removed, not just masked, with professional cleaning, deodorization, and possibly HVAC cleaning. - Will my insurance cover fire and smoke restoration?
Most homeowners’ policies will provide coverage for fire and smoke loss; however, the coverage may vary. The restoration company will be able to assist you in documenting your damages and preparing the reports your adjuster will need to process the claim.
