How Does Smoke Damage Your Home? 

A house fire is an experience that no homeowner wishes to encounter, but it does happen occasionally. Thousands of people are affected each year by fires through personal injury, loss of property, and expensive repairs. Specifically, smoke damage needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. If not, stains and foul odors can become permanent, lowering the home’s value. Keep reading to learn how smoke damages your home and what you can do about it. 

Common Damages From Smoke and Fire

If your home survives a fire, it’s likely that there’s still a fair bit of damage from the smoke and fire. Dealing with this kind of damage can be complicated and expensive if you’re not sure where to start. To get a grasp on how fire and smoke affect a home, keep reading for the three main types of damage: 

1. Structural Damage

It is expected that a house fire will cause damage to wood and drywall, but depending on the heat of the fire, it can also cause major damage to stronger materials. In fact, if the fire reaches very high temperatures, it can cause concrete foundations to split and metal to bend and warp. Damage to the structure of the house can pose a major risk to the health and safety of the household. Even if things don’t look damaged, you should still ask for a building inspection to make sure the home is still structurally safe. A proper inspection could prevent injury and further damage. 

2. Stained Furniture

Depending on where the fire starts, it’s possible that your furniture may escape the majority of the heat. However, furniture is especially susceptible to smoke damage because of the materials generally used. Here’s how to deal with smoke damage on different furniture materials. 

• Fabric. Furniture upholstered in cotton, linen, silk, velvet, or any other fabric can quickly take on the lingering smell of smoke and dark staining. To clean fabric furniture after a house fire, use specialized fabric cleaning products. For a more natural smoke damage remedy, sprinkle baking soda liberally over the furniture and then spray with vinegar. Leave to sit for a few minutes, then work into a paste with a gentle brush. Rinse thoroughly. 
• Leather. Leather is much more durable than upholstery, so it can stand up to heavier-duty cleaners. Vacuum away ash and dust, then wipe clean with diluted ammonia. To bring your leather back to life, use a leather conditioner or oil. 
• Wood. Wood is a very porous material, so it will soak up smoke and odors. For wooden chairs, and tables, use a gentle brush to remove ash or debris and wash with a mild cleanser. You can use diluted bleach, warm soapy water, or a special wood cleaner. Consider refinishing the wooden furniture after cleansing.

3. Stained Walls and Ceiling

The most likely damage that your house will experience from fire and smoke is to the walls and ceilings. The key is to clean these spaces carefully and gently, so as not to further weaken them. For instance, instead of opting for heavy-duty cleaning products, try to clean as much as you can with a damp rag. Avoid using too much moisture on the walls and ceiling. When you’ve gotten as much staining off as possible, use a gentle cleaning solution to remove the remaining stains. Make sure you choose products that won’t remove paint or harm the plaster. 

Contact Roy’s Restoration in Boston

If you’re concerned about smoke damage or want more information about how it can affect your home, get in touch with Roy’s Restoration today. Give us a call at 607-617-3399.