Residential house fires leave a strong smoke odor in the home and removing the smell can be challenging. To fully eliminate the smoke smell from your home after a house fire requires the use of specialized techniques and equipment. As a result, a professional remediation team will need to be called in to repair the smoke damage in Springfield Missouri. What do our experts do to restore your home to its prior condition before the fire occurred?
Determining the Type of Smoke Odor Present in the Home
Smoke odors can vary based on what burned during the house fire. Incomplete combustion is what generates smoke, which is made up of oils, gases, and soot. The volatile molecules present in various materials are released when items burn and this leaves the pungent smoke odors behind.
Our smoke remediation experts must determine which types of odors must be addressed. Burning protein in the form of meat charred in the fire leaves a much different smell than the odor produced by synthetic materials like plastic or nylon. Our smoke damage restoration team uses their technical knowledge and complex procedures to identify the different smells and determine how to best address them.
Removing the Smell
Initially, all sources of the smoke odors must be removed from the home. This may include furniture, drywall, cabinets, and other contents that cannot be salvaged. These items will then need to be restored or discarded, based on their condition.
Cleaning Salvageable Items
Specialized products are used to clean those items that can be salvaged. Exterior walls, windows, and decks must be pressure washed, scrubbed and disinfected, while interior walls and hard surfaces are first cleaned using a mild soap and then completely rinsed. All surfaces must be cleaned, including the interior of the cabinets, closets, and drawers. Next, household items will be washed. However, some items must be cleaned off-site, such as upholstery and furnishings.
Air Ducts
What many homeowners fail to realize is the smoke smell makes its way into the air duct system of the home. To completely remove the smoke smell, the duct system must also be cleaned. If it is not, the HVAC system will transport the smell through the home once again. Professionals are needed to take on this task, as it requires specialized equipment and knowledge of the appropriate procedures.
Eliminating Any Lingering Odors
Numerous methods will be used to remove any lingering odors once the cleaning process is complete. Our technicians analyze the situation and determine what is appropriate for your home.
Air scrubbing may be needed to remove additional source materials that are distributing the smoke smell throughout the home. A high-efficiency particulate arrestor (HEPA) air scrubber removes 99.97 percent of particulates in the air.
Thermal fogging involves the use of a petroleum-based deodorizer that is spread through the home with a thermal fogging unit. This process fills the home with a mist-like deodorizer to counteract odorous molecules. The fragrance modification permanently neutralizes these odors. Our technicians must wear respiratory protection as this process is carried out.
An aromatic compound may be vaporized and dispensed into the air to eliminate smells through a process known as vapor modification. Non-toxic, non-flammable, not-oily and non-explosive mineral oils are used, and our technicians can remain in the area as this odor removal process is completed. One benefit of using vapor modification is the deodorizer can penetrate porous contents of the home such as upholstery.
Ozone generation is very popular when it comes to removing airborne smoke odor molecules. This process works on protein smoke which is hard to neutralize and works by releasing additional oxygen into the atmosphere. However, this process does not purify the air, and the homeowner cannot be present as this process is carried out.
Contact the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration if your home has sustained fire or smoke damage in Springfield Missouri. Our team has the training, equipment, and experience to ensure the job is done right and your home the stubborn smoke smell is completely removed.