Smoke Damage & Soot Removal

After a fire, your property will likely have a strong smoke odor and visible soot, which can further damage and corrode its components.

At BELFOR, we are one of the pioneers in soot removal to restore properties to their original condition.

At BELFOR, our experts will determine which technique is most effective to safely remove soot from walls, vents, carpets, upholstery, and more.

• We’ve developed a faster and more effective soot removal technique.
• Our Soot Removal Film (SRF) offers an environmentally friendly solution that cleans soot in just a few easy steps.
• SRF is particularly effective for historical buildings with stone exteriors, as it gently removes soot without damaging the underlying stone.

If your property has suffered extensive fire damage, it’s important to hire a professional restoration company instead of performing DIY repairs.

• Untreated smoke damage can quickly turn walls yellow, even in areas not directly touched by the fire.
• Incomplete smoke damage repair can lead to persistent problems for your home or establishment, such as lingering odor issues, compromised air quality, and potential health risks for occupants.
• At BELFOR, our experts begin smoke damage restoration by removing all items affected by the fire.
• Next, they assess which items can be restored and evaluate which must be discarded, basing restoration decisions on the material type and its value.

The smoke smell removal process depends entirely on the material type. Smoke damage can permeate the surface of porous materials and goes much deeper than any surface damage you may see.

For example:

• Walls and ceilings: Fire can blister paint and discolor walls and ceilings. To repair walls and ceilings, scrape and sand them until all damaged material is removed, then repaint them.
• Unfinished wood: Unfinished wood has a lower restoration success rate. Applying a sealant may trap odors in some cases, like when the wood has absorbed deep-set smoke and soot, making it difficult to eliminate the smell entirely through traditional cleaning methods.
• Finished wood: Since finished wood has a protective layer compromised by smoke, it typically requires stripping, sanding, and refinishing.
• Furniture: Furniture that is made of fabric often absorbs smoke and retains strong odors, as the porous nature of fabrics allows them to soak up and hold onto the particles and chemicals from smoke. It will need professional cleaning or replacement if it’s not valuable.
• Carpets: Carpets can also trap odors in their fibers, requiring thorough cleaning throughout the property. If cleaning fails, replacement is necessary.

Here’s how our professionals clean soot using SRF:

• Spray the SRF onto walls or other surfaces. Once it dries, it forms an adhesive film.
• Gently peel away the SRF to remove soot, dust, and other contaminants.
• Safely dispose the used SRF, leaving the surface free of soot and contaminants.