Serving San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and the Santa Rosa area

Smoke damage cleaning

Smoke Damage & Odor Cleanup Services

At Fire & Water Damage Recovery, we specialize in professional smoke damage cleaning services to restore your Bay Area home or business quickly and safely.

Professional Smoke Cleaning Services in the San Francisco Bay Area

Smoke damage is more than just an aesthetic issue—it can compromise your health, air quality, and property if not addressed promptly. At Fire & Water Damage Recovery, we provide expert smoke cleaning services designed to remove harmful residues, eliminate stubborn odors, and restore your home or business to its pre-damage condition. Serving the Bay Area, our skilled team uses advanced techniques to ensure your property is safe, clean, and ready for recovery.

The Dangers of Smoke Damage

Acting swiftly is essential to minimize long-term damage and health risks. Our team is ready to assess the extent of the damage and implement a customized plan to restore your property. Smoke and soot contain toxic particles that can linger long after the fire has been extinguished. These contaminants can:

Indoor Air Quality

The tiny particles in smoke can infiltrate your HVAC system and spread throughout your property, leading to respiratory problems, allergies, and other health concerns, especially for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

Discolor Surfaces

Walls, ceilings, and furniture can develop stubborn stains that worsen over time. Without professional cleaning, these marks can become nearly impossible to remove.

Persistent Odors

Smoke leaves behind a pungent smell that seeps into fabrics, carpets, and porous materials. DIY solutions often fail to eliminate these odors, which require specialized equipment and treatments.

Long-Term Health Risks

Prolonged exposure to soot and smoke residues can lead to serious health problems, including lung diseases and cardiovascular issues, due to the toxic chemicals released during combustion.

Smoke Cleaning

Fire Restoration Services

After a fire, securing your property is critical to prevent further damage from weather, vandalism, or theft. At Fire & Water Damage Recovery, we provide professional board-up and tarping services to protect your home or business during the restoration process. Our team quickly installs sturdy barriers over broken windows, doors, and other exposed areas, as well as durable tarps to shield your roof from the elements. Serving the Bay Area with care and efficiency, we ensure your property is safe and secure, giving you peace of mind during a challenging time.

Our Smoke Damage Cleaning Process

Initial Assessment and Safety Inspection
Our team begins by thoroughly assessing the extent of the smoke damage to identify affected areas and items. We evaluate structural integrity, air quality, and the presence of toxic residues to create a customized cleaning plan. Ensuring safety is our top priority, and we take precautions to protect both occupants and our technicians during the cleanup process.
Smoke Damage Cleanup
Initial Assessment and Safety Inspection
Ventilation and Air Quality Improvement
Smoke particles can linger in the air, impacting indoor air quality and spreading odors throughout your property. We use industrial-grade equipment, such as air scrubbers and HEPA filters, to ventilate the space and remove airborne contaminants. This step is essential for creating a clean and breathable environment as restoration work begins.
Smoke Ventilation
Ventilation and Air Quality Improvement
Soot and Residue Removal
Soot is acidic and can cause permanent damage to surfaces if not addressed promptly. Using specialized tools and techniques, we clean walls, ceilings, furniture, and other affected areas to eliminate soot and prevent further deterioration. This process includes the careful handling of delicate materials to maximize salvageable items.
Smoke Damage Cleanup
Soot and Residue Removal
Odor Neutralization
Smoke odors penetrate deeply into porous materials, making them difficult to remove without professional intervention. We employ advanced deodorization methods, such as thermal fogging and ozone treatments, to neutralize odors at their source. This ensures your property smells fresh and clean once restoration is complete.
Smoke Odor
Odor Neutralization
Final Cleaning and Restoration
After addressing smoke residues and odors, we conduct a final cleaning of all surfaces, paying attention to every detail. We also restore damaged areas, ensuring your property is returned to its pre-damage condition. Whether it’s repainting walls or refinishing furniture, our goal is to leave your home or business looking and feeling like new.
structural restoration
Final Cleaning and Restoration

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fire Damage?

Yes, most standard homeowners insurance policies cover fire damage. This typically includes structural repairs to your home, replacement of personal belongings, and additional living expenses if you need temporary housing during repairs. Homeowners insurance generally covers:

  • Structural Damage: Repairs to your home’s walls, roof, and other structural elements.
  • Personal Belongings: Compensation for damaged furniture, clothing, electronics, and other possessions.
  • Additional Living Expenses (ALE): Costs for necessities if your home is uninhabitable.
Fire Restoration

Smoke Damage Cleaning Tips

If your property has been affected by smoke damage, taking the right steps before professional help arrives can prevent further damage and protect your health. Here are some practical tips to follow while you wait for Fire & Water Damage Recovery to arrive:

Only enter the property if the Fire Marshal has given clearance. Wear a protective mask and gloves to avoid inhaling toxic particles and coming into direct contact with soot.

If the weather permits and it’s safe, open windows to allow fresh air to circulate and reduce smoke odors. Avoid turning on fans or HVAC systems, as they can spread soot particles to unaffected areas.

Soot is oily and can smear, making cleanup more difficult. Refrain from touching walls, furniture, or other surfaces to prevent further damage.

Relocate pets, children, and anyone with respiratory conditions to a smoke-free area to minimize exposure to harmful contaminants.

Take photos or videos of the smoke damage for your insurance claim. Be sure to capture affected walls, ceilings, furniture, and belongings in detail.

If possible, board up broken windows or doors and cover roof openings with a tarp to protect the property from weather and unauthorized entry.

Avoid using household cleaners or attempting to wipe soot off surfaces. Improper cleaning can worsen the damage and embed particles deeper into materials.

Still have questions?

Have questions or need immediate assistance? Contact F&WDR today for expert guidance and swift restoration services. Our friendly team is here to help you every step of the way. Reach out now!

Schedule Your Emergency Response Plan

Don’t wait until disaster strikes—be prepared. Schedule a restoration plan with F&WDR today and gain peace of mind knowing you’re ready for any emergency. Trust our experts to safeguard your property when it matters most.