How to Treat Smoke-Damaged Walls

ATI Restoration

Physical damage—such as smoke-damaged walls—is expected after a fire. After all, fire is one of nature’s more destructive forces. But fires also leave behind harmful residues, such as soot and smoke, which can penetrate and damage the walls of your commercial or residential property even after the flames have been extinguished.

Soot is a black, powdery or flaky substance caused by incomplete combustion. It can settle on surfaces throughout a building, discoloring walls, releasing toxic particulates into the air, and making the environment both hazardous and malodorous. This makes addressing fire and smoke damage quickly and thoroughly incredibly important for the health and safety of building occupants.

In addition to volatile organic compounds found in smoke and soot, smoke-damaged walls are also vulnerable to soot penetration. Unfortunately, porous materials, such as drywall, wallpaper, and ceiling tiles can be nearly impossible to clean without the proper tools and techniques. Aggressive or improper cleaning can make the problem worse, requiring additional treatment and the potential for permanent damage. To prevent this issue, having a professional restoration company address smoke and soot damage is often ideal.

Decades of Experience with Smoke Damaged Structures

ATI Restoration has over 35 years of experience restoring walls, floors, ceilings, and more. If you are dealing with smoke-damaged walls, contact us right away to schedule an assessment and learn how we can help. With 70+ regional offices and a 24-Hour Emergency Response service, we are ready to dispatch a team of fire restoration professionals to your home or business without delay—no matter where in the country you are located.

Cleaning Smoke Damaged Walls

The goal of cleaning smoke-damaged walls is to remove soot without causing further damage. To accomplish this, you will need a combination of specific tools and specialized cleaning techniques. It is vital that you practice extreme caution when cleaning smoke-damaged structures.

Items that may be needed to clean smoke-damaged walls include:

PPE (gloves, masks, goggles, etc.)
Dry cleaning sponges
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) or a specialized soot remover
Soft cloths and sponges
Buckets of clean, warm water
Vacuum with a HEPA filter
Plastic sheeting to protect floors and furniture

Steps to Clean Smoke-Damaged Walls

Safety First

Always wear PPE to avoid inhaling soot particles or coming into direct contact with harsh cleaning agents.

Ventilation Is Key

Use fans and open windows to reduce exposure to soot and odors. Avoid using your air conditioner or heating unit until cleaning is complete.

Remove Loose Particles

Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove loose soot particles. This will prepare the walls for deeper cleaning.

Dry Sponge

Use a dry and clean sponge to gently wipe the walls. These sponges are specifically designed to lift soot without smearing it across the surface. Wipe in a vertical motion and avoid scrubbing to prevent embedding soot deeper into the wall.

Chemical Clean

Mix TSP or another specialized soot remover according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Working from the bottom up, use a soft sponge or cloth to gently wipe down the walls.

Rinse and Dry

After cleaning, rinse the walls with clean water to remove any residue from the cleaning solution. Pat the walls dry with a soft cloth to ensure no moisture is left behind. Residual moisture can lead to mold growth.

During the cleaning process, you will need to make sure all flooring and furniture are protected with plastic sheeting. This will help to prevent additional soot penetration.

Depending on the size of your property, the process of removing smoke and soot by yourself can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Patience and caution are essential during this time. Rushing the process or skipping steps puts both your property and its occupants at risk.

Cleaning Other Areas of Smoke Damaged Structures

Smoke damage can, of course, extend beyond the walls of a building. To fully restore smoke-damaged structures, attention must be given to all affected areas, including carpets, flooring, ceilings, furniture, and more. The same level of care taken for smoke-damaged walls must be utilized here as well to help prevent causing additional harm.

How to Clean Smoke-Damaged Carpets

Carpets can absorb a significant amount of smoke and soot during and after a fire, as well as following the cleaning of smoke-damaged walls. Deep cleaning is required to restore carpets to their best condition.

Start by vacuuming the carpet thoroughly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum to remove loose particles. Afterward, using a steam cleaner with a suitable cleaning solution can help to lift embedded soot from carpet fibers. However, it may not be possible to completely eliminate odors without professional assistance.

How to Remove Soot from Laminate and Wood Flooring

While considered non-porous, wood and laminate flooring can still be impacted by soot and smoke settling into grains or between crevices. This can result in long-term damage when not addressed properly, which may include:

Vacuuming with a soft brush attachment
Using a microfiber cloth to dry clean
Using a prepared solution (formulated for the type of flooring) to thoroughly clean

Be sure to rinse off residual cleaners as they can strip or discolor hard flooring. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly to help guard against warping.

How to Clean Smoke-Damaged Ceilings

Because soot naturally rises and settles on overhead surfaces, ceilings are often impacted by smoke and soot damage. To clean, you will want to use the same dry-cleaning sponge technique used for smoke-damaged walls. When stains are persistent, you may need to use TSP or a specialized smoke cleaner. Like walls and floors, ceilings should be cleaned gently, rinsed thoroughly, and dried completely.

Be careful to cover flooring and furniture with plastic sheeting before cleaning smoke and soot from ceilings. Also, be sure to work in small sections and rinse frequently to help prevent streaking.

How to Remove Soot and Smoke from Furniture and Contents

Furniture and other contents can be tricky to clean following a fire. The method used to clean will depend on things including the level of damage and type of material in question. For example, when cleaning wooden furniture or cabinets, you may want to start with soft brush vacuuming followed by wiping the items down with mild detergent. For upholstery, a specialized furniture cleaner and vacuum may be required.

Delicate items and important documents should always be cleaned by professionals who have the appropriate tools and techniques to avoid causing damage.

Smoked-Damaged Structures Deserve Professional Treatment

While it is true that you might be able to clean smoke-damaged walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture on your own, there are significant risks involved with the DIY approach. There is the risk of incomplete soot removal, which can leave your property looking dingy and damaged while exposing occupants to harmful airborne particles. There is also the risk of over-cleaning or improper cleaning techniques. When dealing with chemical dilutions, specialty equipment, and precision cleaning techniques, it’s easy to make mistakes. This can result in further damage to your property, requiring extensive (and expensive) reconstruction.

ATI Restoration, the nation’s oldest family-operated disaster recovery company, knows how to thoroughly and safely clean smoke-damaged structures. Our certified and experienced crews of restoration professionals use advanced equipment and techniques to remove soot and smoke residues completely and effectively, restoring your property to its best-ever condition.

From structural cleaning to complete reconstruction, ATI Restoration’s in-house team of skilled, licensed, and certified building and construction professionals can handle every aspect of the restoration process. Learn more about our comprehensive approach and commitment to customer service at ATI Cares.

Our services include:

Soot and Odor Removal. We use specialized methods—including thermal fogging, advanced nano filters, and ozone generators—to eliminate smoke odors and soot from all surfaces.
Structural Cleaning and Decontamination. We use detailed cleaning processes, such as sandblasting, pressure washing, and advanced chemical treatments, to ensure all traces of smoke and soot are removed from all areas of your property—even those that are hard to reach.
Contents Cleaning and Restoration. We clean furniture, electronics, and other valuables to restore them to their pre-damage condition.
Air Duct Cleaning and HVAC Restoration. We use brushes, high-powered vacuums, and chemical agents to thoroughly remove soot, smoke particles, and odors from air ducts and HVAC systems. This ensures clean, breathable air throughout the property.
Carpet and Floor Restoration. We use professional carpet cleaning techniques along with advanced pressure washing, tile cleaning, and wood floor restoration services to bring life back into your flooring.

In addition to services targeting fire and smoke damage specifically, ATI Restoration offers both emergency board-up services and complete property reconstruction. The former helps to protect your property from additional damage before and during restoration. The latter—conducted entirely by skilled professionals from various building trades—allows us to ensure every step of your restoration project is completed to our uncompromisingly highest standards.

Your Trusted Smoke Damage Restoration Partner

When it comes to restoring smoke-damaged walls and structures, you need a partner you can trust. ATI Restoration is available 24/7/365, ensuring that help is always just a phone call away. Don’t take chances by trying to restore your property on your own. Contact ATI Restoration today to learn more about our services and how we can restore your property to its original condition—or better—in a fraction of the time you might expect.