Professional West Columbia Smoke Odor Removal

AdvantaClean of West Columbia

Why Is Smoke Odor Removal Necessary?

Some property owners still report persistent smells even after the mess seems cleaned up after a house or business fire. Many people do not realize that the stench means toxic and corrosive soot particles also still linger, although unseen. AdvantaClean of West Columbia knows smoke odor removal is essential in complete fire damage restoration. Temporary relief is available from masking agents such as spray or granules, but that option only covers up the odor with a distracting fragrance. Our trained technicians have many odor-eliminating resources available to eliminate the smell permanently.

What Causes Smoke to Smell Bad?

The odor after a fire is contained in the colored portion of smoke, made up of countless tiny particles of soot. Soot is bits of partially combusted materials, and they smell terrible. The unpleasant aroma occurs because of chemical reactions in the molecules of building materials and contents when they heat and burn. Rubber, plastics, and synthetics are standard in both homes and businesses. When they melt and burn, they emit noxious vapors and soot that first floats as part of the smoke and then settles on surfaces as “wet soot.”

Why Is a Kitchen Fire So Smelly?

If foods, oils, and grease heat and burn during a West Concord kitchen fire, smoke odor removal by professionals is critical. The soot particles in a kitchen fire are primarily dehydrated food and oils heated past their smoking points. Smells associated with kitchen fires are horrible, understandable because the heated and burned materials are now rancid or spoiled. Rancid fats and bits of food vaporize in the heat, covering surfaces with an almost varnish-like substance. 

Will the Smoke Smell Go Away?

Unfortunately, without the expert help like that provided by AdvantaClean of West Concord’s technicians, smoky smells that hopped a ride on soot particles can be here to stay. Homes and commercial buildings contain a broad range of porous materials. The soot bits that float and settle might be tiny, but they are sharp-edged when viewed through a microscope. This combination of non-solid surfaces and gritty soot means the odor-bearing particles can burrow into structures and fixtures such as:

  • Drywall

  • Wood framing

  • Woodwork and cabinets

  • Flooring, including hardwood and laminates

  • Ceiling tiles

  • Concrete, cement, and cinder blocks

  • Carpets

  • Insulation 

  • Window treatments

What Happens During Smoke Odor Removal Projects?

Removing smoke odor from your West Columbia property requires multiple best practices developed by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The work done by AdvantaClean of West Columbia’s IICRC-certified Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) has several phases. When one attempt fails, our crews move to another option and also repeat treatments:

  • Proactive air quality improvement interventions that clear airborne odor-bearing soot, such as fans and air scrubbers during fire damage cleanup

  • Removal of smoke odor source material, including charred debris that can hide in building cavities or under fixtures

  • Deep cleaning with soot removal techniques using appropriate cleaning agents that balance the type of residues with the durability of surfaces

  • Use of abrasive tools or grits incorporated into cleaning products to loosen stubborn smelly coatings, especially protein-based soot

  • Sealing strategies using paint-like treatments that prevent vaporization of odors, especially in attics or other inaccessible areas where broadcast spraying of a sealant is more practical than scrubbing

What If Cleaning Alone Is Not Enough? 

Because chemical changes cause the smells during the fire, smoke odor removal techniques that create another controlled chemical interaction can resolve the problem. Use of advanced technologies such as thermal fogging, ozone machines, and hydroxyl generators are resources available through AdvantaClean of West Columbia:

  • Thermal fogging recreates the conditions during the fire, combusting deodorizers that spread and settle into cracks and crevices where the soot remains. The deodorizing molecules pair with soot, neutralizing the smoke malodor.

  • Ozone machines use oxidation to break up airborne and absorbed odors, eradicating smells. 

  • Hydroxyl generators produce free radicals that destroy the molecular bonds of odors and volatile compounds (vapors), neutralizing the smells.

Even after deep cleaning in fire-damaged properties, smoke and burned material stenches can remain. Unpleasant and disturbing memories persist as long as smelly reminders linger. Individuals can experience odors differently, so you need professionals who listen to you and your perception of the smells. AdvantaClean of West Columbia uses different odor-elimination strategies until we find the right combination for optimal indoor air quality --IAQ--in your home or business.

AdvantaClean of West Columbia offers smoke odor removal as an essential service for residential and commercial properties recovering from fire damage. Contact us at (803) 597-2022 to explore your options to get rid of smoky smells.  

AdvantaClean of West Columbia

(803) 769-7983

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