What to Expect During Smoke Odor Removal

After a fire, one of the hardest problems to deal with is the smell that lingers behind. Even after visible damage has been cleaned up, smoke odor can remain in walls, ceilings, flooring, furniture, and HVAC systems. That smell is more than unpleasant. It can be a sign that smoke particles and soot residue are still present in the property. Knowing what to expect during smoke odor removal can help you feel more prepared and confident in the restoration process.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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What is Smoke Odor Removal?

Smoke odor removal is the process of completely removing the smell of smoke from your home or business. The process involves physically removing the source of the smell, which is the soot particles, and neutralizing the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to completely eliminate any lingering smoke smell. Our professionals use a variety of equipment, including air scrubbers, to clean the air in your home and business, and apply chemicals to both porous and non-porous surfaces.

How Long Does Smoke Odor Removal Take?

The amount of time it takes to remove smoke odor from your home or business depends on the severity of the smoke damage and the size of the space that is affected. For minor smoke damage that is contained in a small area, smoke odor removal services can take just a day or two to complete. However, for severe smoke damage involving an entire home or business, or for saturation from a fire, it can take anywhere from 3 to 7 days to completely remove the smoke odor.

Is Smoke Odor Removal Permanent?

Yes. When done correctly, smoke odor removal is permanent, and the smell will not come back. However, if the smoke odor returns after our smoke odor removal services, it is because of another smoke event, or soot was not properly removed from the ventilation systems, or from inside the walls.

Causes and Severity of Smoke Odor

There are a variety of ways that your home can become saturated with smoke odors. In Colorado Springs, some of the most common causes of smoke odors include:

• Wildfires
• Kitchen fires
• Electrical fires
• Cigarettes

Each of these sources leaves behind a different type of smoke odor and different types of residue. For example, wood smoke leaves behind a dry powdery soot, while an electrical or protein fire leaves behind a sticky, wet residue.

Can Wildfire Smoke Odors Be Completely Removed From My Home?

Yes! Wildfire smoke odors can be completely removed from your home by a professional restoration company. Wildfire smoke enters the home through small openings in the HVAC system. This can be eliminated by cleaning the HVAC system, wiping the surfaces with specialized chemical sponges, and removing the remaining particulate from the air with advanced oxidation treatment.

Reference: cmsrestorationco.com

Methods and Equipment for the Removal

There are a few tools that can be used to completely remove smoke odors from your home. These include HEPA air scrubbers, ozone treatments, and thermal fogging. A HEPA air scrubber removes particles from the air down to .3 microns. Ozone machines introduce an oxidizing gas into the home that will permanently break down the smoke odor particles. Thermal fogging disperses a deodorizing gas as a mist that will travel exactly where the smoke went.

Resource: epa.gov

Will I Have to Vacate My Home For the Process?

You will need to vacate the home during specific periods of the smoke odor removal process. Specifically during ozone and thermal fogging treatments. Both of these treatments displace oxygen in the home and introduce strong neutralizing agents into the home that are not meant to be inhaled. We will communicate with you beforehand to schedule these treatments at a time that works best for you and let you know exactly when you can return to your home.

Preparation and Aftercare

There are a few ways you can prepare your home for smoke odor removal to make the process go smoothly for everyone involved. Make sure to remove all people, pets, and live plants from the home. It’s also a good idea to remove exposed food, medications, and valuables that are not affected by the smoke odor. Please leave all interior doors and closets open to help the neutralizing agents circulate throughout the entire space.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Smoke Odor Removal?

Homeowners’ insurance covers smoke odor removal when the damage is the result of a covered peril. This may include accidental house fires or the smoke from a nearby wildfire. CMS Restoration works with insurance companies and adjusters in Colorado Springs to provide the necessary documentation for your claim.

Resource: eclawcounsel.com

Professional Help Makes a Big Difference

Store-bought sprays and household cleaners may temporarily mask smoke odors, but they rarely remove the source of the problem. Professional restoration crews have the tools and experience to locate hidden smoke damage, clean affected materials properly, and treat the odor at its source. This is especially important after a house fire, where odor is often tied to soot, residue, and structural damage that should be addressed together. CMS Restoration offers fire damage services as part of its broader restoration work in Colorado.

Final Thoughts

Smoke odor removal is a detailed process that usually involves inspection, cleaning, deodorization, and sometimes material removal or repairs. The most important thing to expect is that real odor removal goes beyond surface cleaning. When the work is done correctly, it can help restore comfort, support indoor air quality, and make your property feel livable again after a fire. If your home or business has lingering smoke odor after a fire, contact CMS Restoration to inspect the damage and help you understand the next steps for cleanup and restoration.