How to Fix Smoke Damage

There are two different types of possible smoke damage that can occur in a home fire: general discoloration and bubbling/blistering. While it may seem like a very difficult process, fixing your home after smoke damage is doable if you follow the proper instructions.

Things You'll Need

• Trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner
• Large sponge
• 2 buckets
• Warm water
• Cleaning gloves
• Goggles
• Rags
• Sandpaper
• Putty knife
• Spackle
• Primer/paint
• Dehumidifier/ fan

Instructions

1. Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water and 1 tablespoon of trisodium phosphate (TSP) cleaner. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and goggles and dip the sponge into the solution. Wipe the walls thoroughly, one spot at a time, and rinse the area with water. This process may need to be done several times before you begin to see results. Allow the wall to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

2. Gently scrape away any paint that may have been damaged from blistering or bubbling with a putty knife. Using sandpaper, gently sand down the area so that the bare drywall and painted areas are even with one another.

3. Use spackle to cover any areas that may have indents or may cause the area to look uneven. Allow the spackle to dry completely and then sand the spackled area to ensure optimal smoothness. Use a primer to cover any bare spots of drywall. Allow the primer to dry and then cover the primed areas with a new coat of paint.

4. Open all the windows to get the air circulating throughout the house. Installing a fan close to where the smoke damage is located can also help in this process and ensure that and dangerous air is not stagnant and easy to inhale. However, If it is hot or humid outside, the windows will most likely need to remain closed and you will need to bring in a dehumidifier to remove the stagnant air.

5. Hire a professional to remove soot from your carpets and household textiles using a heavy-duty vacuum. It is important to have carpets cleaned twice, both before and after repairs take place, to ensure that there is no soot or smoke odor remaining. In severe cases where soot or odor can't be removed, you may need to completely replace the carpet.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for paint/primer combinations at your local hardware or paint shop. Buying a product that contains both in one bucket will save you time and money and will allow for a much smoother repair process.

References

• Fixing Smoke Damage
• Additional Information