How to Clean Smoke Damage off the Ceiling?
In a fire, not only the fire itself is terrible, capable of destroying almost all property, and even taking lives, but also its derivatives, i.e. soot and smoke. The latter is considered not so dangerous, but for no reason, because it's not easy to remove its consequences.
Why is smoke dangerous for your home? First of all, it's a matter of fact that it firmly eats into walls and ceilings, penetrates into furniture upholstery, clothing and textiles. But there's more to come. Due to the soot it contains and small particles formed during combustion, the loss which can be caused by smoke becomes obvious:
- It covers the ceilings with a dark layer.
- It settles on the wallpaper, changing its color to yellow.
- It penetrates the ventilation and pollutes it.
How to clean the smoke damage off the ceiling? We decided to dive into this matter in more detail in our article.
When Can Smoke Marks Remain on the Ceiling?
In fact, smoke damage is not only caused by direct fire in your home. Often, smoke marks appear on the ceiling for the following reasons:
- A nearby room/house is on fire. In case of a condominium apartment, smoke can penetrate into your home both through ventilation shafts and through windows, sockets or communication channels. In case of a detached house, it can get to your place from your neighbors by means of wind.
- You do not use the hood in the kitchen. In this case, a few months later, the shade of your ceiling will be far from ideal.
- There are smokers in your house. The cigarette smoke contains nicotine, which easily accumulates on the ceiling and makes it dirty.
- Wildfires are incredibly common in many states. A forest burning a hundred miles away can produce enough smoke to damage your home too.
But whatever the cause of smoke damage to your ceiling is, the result is clearly noticeable.
The First Step on Your Way to Deal with the Smoke Damage on the Ceiling
First of all, decide on a strategy. If your ceiling has been damaged because of a fire, no matter yours, your neighbors' or wildfires, you should apply to the insurance company. Under the terms of an HO3 standard homeowners insurance policy, you can receive compensation for smoke damage. For that to happen, it is important to provide evidence that the damage is significant. This can be done using videos and photos taken in your home.
In addition, during the collection of evidence for the insurance company, a smoke damage public adjuster and a fire marshal will come to your aid.
Once you've documented everything, you can start cleaning up the smoke damage on the ceiling. And here you face a choice:
- to carry out all the work yourself to eliminate the damage,
- to hire specialists from a restoration company.
Both options have their merits. Let's talk about how to clean the smoke damage off the ceiling in both cases.
Cleaning the Smoke Damage off the Ceiling Yourself
It is difficult to clean out the dirt. Do not try to rinse away fumes and soot with water, much less rub it using rags or brushes. They will penetrate even more into every crack of the ceiling or walls and it will be almost impossible to get rid of the dirty spots. Purchase a respirator or dust mask, goggles, gloves, kerchief or hat before starting work. Put on the clothes that you do not mind throwing away. After completing the work, they will be dirty and unsuitable for further use. You may also need:
- a vacuum cleaner,
- brushes,
- chemical sponges,
- a washbowl,
- soft cloth,
- a paint roller and a tray,
- a spatula (10 inches width).
First of all, cover floors and furniture with cellophane or fabric covers. Then dry clean the surface. Remove the traces of soot and smoke from the ceiling with a vacuum cleaner. Never wet the ceiling before doing this. When the cleaner has sucked in all it could, take a broom or brush and sweep the dirt with sharp, straight strokes. Do not rub the soot over the surface. When you finish working with the brushes, take special chemical sponges for cleaning the soot. They are impregnated with special chemicals. Sweep with a sponge moving it sharply and quickly from top to bottom. When the top layer of the sponge gets clogged, cut it off with a knife or scissors and go on. Then, move on to wet cleaning. Prepare water containers and detergents, e.g. a dishwashing detergent or a cleaning agent made of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 cups of hot water. First, wash off the soot and grime with light sweeping movements. Do it several times, constantly changing the solution. Then use a cloth and a brush to wipe off any remaining dirt. Wait until the surface becomes completely dry. Then, apply several coats of primer sealant to preserve stubborn fumes and grime and allow to dry again. After that, apply acrylic filler. When it gets completely dry, clean with fine sandpaper and apply deep penetration primer. After that, you can apply any decorative finishing materials.
All this routine can help to clean the smoke damage from the ceiling. But, be sure, it can be difficult to implement if the damaged surface is considerable. Besides, it doesn't suit all kinds of ceilings, e.g. stretch ceilings or suspended ceilings.
Hiring a Restoration Company to Clean the Smoke Damage off the Ceiling
This option helps you to save time as any pro can cope with cleaning the ceiling much faster than a homeowner. Besides, a restoration company provides a guarantee for its services so you can be sure that you will get a pre-loss result. The only disadvantage of this method is that you have to pay for all the work to be done. Yet, the prices for cleaning the smoke damage off the ceiling are not high. Besides, servicemen will provide you with useful consultations and advice on how to keep your ceiling clean in the future.