How Much Does It Cost to Clean Smoke Damage?

Recovering from a fire is an overwhelming process. The last thing you want is a lingering smoky smell reminding you of the experience. That's where smoke damage restoration comes in. It's often part of the overall fire restoration process.

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What Are the Different Types of Smoke Damage?

After a fire, smoke and soot often leave their mark, even in areas that don't burn. It can leave a film on the surfaces in your home, and the smell of smoke permeates your belongings. You can break smoke damage down into different types based on what burns. The most common types of smoke damage in homes include:

Dry Smoke

This happens during a fast-spreading, high-temperature fire caused when wood, paper and building materials burn. It creates a powdery residue that can travel throughout the space, including HVAC systems and wiring. Even though the powder is easier to clean off solid surfaces, it can permeate porous materials and infiltrate various systems. Those areas are more difficult to restore.

Wet Smoke

Produced by low-heat fires, wet smoke happens when plastic or rubber burns, leaving behind a burnt plastic smell. It leaves a greasy and sticky black residue that makes the cleanup process more challenging. If you don't clean it up, wet smoke can corrode metal structures.

Protein Smoke

A kitchen fire involving burnt food creates protein smoke. It typically shows up as discoloration on walls and wood surfaces. You'll also notice a very strong odor from protein smoke.

How Much Does It Cost to Clean Up or Remove Different Types of Smoke Damage?

According to HomeGuide, the average cost of smoke and soot removal ranges from $500 to $5,000 (CAD 679 to CAD 6,790), depending on the severity and extent of the damage. Delaying the restoration process can make the issue worse. It's easiest and cheapest to have a professional restoration company come into your home as soon as possible to tackle the smoke, soot and other damage. Smoke damage restoration includes cleaning all surfaces and contents of your home with smoke residue.

You'll likely need additional services to get the smell of the smoke out of your home. Ozone shock treatments average $300 to $1,000 (CAD 407 to CAD 1,358) and help remove the smell of smoke from your entire home. Thermal fogging is another option to neutralize smoke odors. It averages $200 to $600 (CAD 272 to CAD 815) per floor.

Your furniture may need to be deodorized separately. That service typically costs between $300 and $1,000 (CAD 407 to CAD 1,358). However, it's not always possible to salvage your furniture and bedding. You may need to replace those items if they can't be properly cleaned and deodorized.

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Does the Smell of Smoke Damage Ever Go Away?

To get rid of the smoke smell, you'll need to get rid of all the smoke particles. Any remaining smoke particles can cause the odors to linger. Even with careful cleaning, you can miss some smoke residue since it often settles in tiny areas throughout your home. Your house will also smell like smoke if you keep furniture, clothing or other items that still have smoke particles in them.

Professional smoke damage restoration is often the most effective way to completely remove the smell of smoke damage. These services use professional-grade tools and processes to remove the smoke particles. Special odor treatments using professional machines also help. Not only is hiring a professional more effective, but it's also safer for you since you can avoid the particles left behind.

Does Insurance Cover Smoke Damage?

A basic homeowners policy typically covers smoke and fire damage. This includes smoke damage from a fire outside your home, such as the smoke from a neighbor's house fire. However, some insurance policies exclude smoke and soot damage, so it's essential to read the terms of your policy carefully.

If you have smoke damage coverage, your policy may have a limit on how much it pays for restoration services. Call your insurance company as soon as possible to determine whether you have coverage and to understand the claims process. Documenting the smoke damage and keeping your receipts for the restoration process can help when filing an insurance claim.