When a wildfire strikes, much of the focus is on getting communities back to normal life. Smoke damage after wildfires can lead to significant damages requiring professional mitigation and restoration.
People whose homes and businesses are spared may return to smoke damage and other environmental concerns after wildfires. This may take the form of combustion byproducts (soot, ash, and char), as well as unpleasant odors and compromised indoor air quality.
ATI Restoration has 70+ locations throughout the United States. We provide wildfire restoration for residential and commercial properties nationwide. Our 24-Hour Emergency Response ensures that smoke damage and other losses are swiftly remediated.
It might be tempting to breathe a sigh of relief if you find that your home or business survived a wildfire. Unfortunately, wildfire smoke can permeate the interior of properties that were completely untouched by flames.
When returning to your property, there are steps you can take to assess the loss and keep yourself safe:
Local governments strive to provide resources for residents affected by wildfires. We strongly encourage anyone who is going home after a wildfire to check local government websites for up-to-date information.
You might notice that we didn’t mention cleaning or treating the smoke damage. That is because smoke damage after wildfires is pervasive, stubborn, and often invisible to the naked eye. Cleaning it yourself is challenging and can actually make the damage worse. It also brings you into contact with the toxic substances found in wildfire smoke.
Smoke remediation is the process of cleaning a smoke-damaged property. It addresses soot, smoke odors, ash, and other losses from a fire. Smoke remediation should be left to specialized professionals who can perform a thorough cleaning and maintain the highest safety standards.
Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with a number of serious health issues. These include difficulty breathing, irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes, and headaches, as well as an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. People with asthma and other chronic respiratory ailments are especially at risk.
Professional smoke remediation is critical for restoring your property to its pre-loss condition (or better), as well as protecting the occupants. Key components involved in mitigating smoke damage after wildfires include:
Photos you’ve taken of the property can help to establish the extent of smoke damage. You should also tell the smoke remediation experts about any odors you’ve noticed.
Some items damaged by smoke require specialized cleaning. These should be noted in the initial assessment:
Options for removing soot and smoke stains include pressure washers, air scrubbers, and cleaning agents. Extensive knowledge of different surfaces and materials—as well as the most effective options for decontamination—is one of the major advantages of hiring a professional remediation company vs. trying to do it yourself.
The odor from wildfire smoke is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by burning materials. In addition to being profoundly unpleasant, the pollutants can be hazardous to occupants’ health.
Professional odor removal combines thorough cleaning with proper air circulation. Equipment such as ozone generators, air scrubbers, and nano filters help remove VOCs from the air inside the property. This deodorizes the air and improves indoor air quality.
Special attention must be paid to the air ducts and HVAC system if wildfire smoke has permeated your property. Failure to clean the air ducts will result in persistent smells and air quality issues.
Air ducts and HVAC components should be cleaned in accordance with standards set by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). NADCA-certified technicians remove debris, clean the ductwork, and sanitize and deodorize the system.
Contents damaged by smoke should be inventoried and set aside for cleaning and repairs. The procedures used in professional contents cleaning are adjusted for the type of material.
Sadly, some items with smoke damage cannot be saved. The benefit of enlisting a professional company is that they have the expertise to determine whether contents affected by wildfire smoke are salvageable.
Carpet fibers trap smoke particles and are easily discolored by soot. Professional cleaning and repairs are essential for restoring the appearance of smoke-damaged carpet and removing odors.
It is critical to take a holistic approach when tackling smoke damage after wildfires. Fire damage to part of a property may disturb asbestos and other hazardous materials. In this case, asbestos abatement may need to be performed as a part of remediating smoke damage.
Reconstruction is another critical element in recovery from a wildfire. Some properties may need to be rebuilt entirely while others require structural repairs. If part of your property has been damaged by fire, hiring the same company to handle smoke remediation AND fire damage repairs is critical for streamlining and expediting the recovery.
Wildfires are incredibly destructive events. Losses are not limited to those caused by flames. Smoke can enter properties through gaps around doors and windows and via the HVAC system, potentially leading to widespread damage within homes and businesses.
ATI Restoration has the knowledge, expertise, and equipment to remediate smoke damage after wildfires and restore your property to its pre-loss condition. We mobilize local and national response teams in areas impacted by wildfires. This enables us to provide support for stricken communities and respond immediately when property owners are ready to repair or restore.
Contact ATI Restoration today if your home or business has suffered smoke damage due to a wildfire. With 70+ locations and a 24-Hour Emergency Response, we arrive on your property promptly to assess the damage and begin the remediation and restoration process.