One of the worst aspects of a post fire house is the lingering smell that follows. It’s always a good idea to address the smell of smoke in a house as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the stronger and more potent that burning smell becomes. As time goes on, the lingering odor will start to fade away. How long smoke odors remain in a house depends on the intensity of the fire and how much smoke damage the house received.
When it comes to smoke odors, intensity can vary from house to house, so a general rule of thumb can never apply to all situations. The intensity of the fire is a big factor in determining how long the burnt smell will linger in every room.
Smoke odor causing the lingering smell tends to be more concentrated in the areas where the fire occurred. If you have heat or smoke damage, it can take a few weeks for that odor to completely go away. The longer you’ve had the smoke in your home, the longer it will last.
How quickly does burnt smell go away in a house?
The speed at which burned smell goes away really depends on what type of fire has occurred. There is a vast array of factors that can impact the amount of time it takes smoke odor to dissipate after a fire. The cleanliness of the house is a big factor, as well as the nature of the fire itself.
Since every home has different floor and wall surfaces, as well as ventilation, there is no way to give an exact time that burnt smell will completely disappear from your home. A general rule of thumb is that getting rid of burnt odor in a house can take anywhere from several days to several months, depending on the factors listed above.
2) How long does it take for smoke to disappear?
One of the biggest indicators that the clean up process is complete is when the smoke and especially burnt smell starts to fade away. The amount of time this process will take varies widely and depends on how much damage you have as well as how extensive it was.
The speed at which the smoke odors dissipate depend on several factors. If you have fire damage, part of the process may include cleaning up your home after a fire, and that’s going to take time before you notice any sign of progress. It is important to know a few things that can help improve speed:
- How much damage was there?
- How extensive was the damage?
- Was there heavy smoke?
- Was there water damage?
- What gets rid of burnt smell in house?
There are various methods used to get rid of burnt smell in a house. Some methods work better than others, but one thing everyone should be doing is calling a professional such as Friendly Hills Restoration before attempting anything that could cause more harm than good. Some ways to get rid of burnt smell in a house include:
- Removing all items from affected area(s).
- Cleaning with an odor neutralizer (such as baking soda).
- Cleaning wet items (such as clothing) and disinfecting anything that touches your food.
- Mop floors with vinegar or lemon juice (both great for cleaning hardwood floors).
- Open windows for ventilation
Remove wall paper if necessary and replace with new paper. Annoying right? It’s actually pretty easy to do if you have a “green thumb” to match your “black thumb”! For example, we have some tricks we use here at Friendly Hills Restoration. We recommend using torn newspaper (because it has ink that helps dry quicker) and gluing it back on with spray adhesive or duct tape.
Clean stains or burn marks on rugs and carpets with some water and dish soap. You can also try using a steam cleaner or even just regularly vacuuming so long as it is not damaged by the fire itself (if so use an air compressor). Regardless of method, be sure to always remain cautious while dealing with your burnt carpet because they could become very hot during installation/vacuuming!
Sometimes carpeting cannot be saved depending on severity of damage. In cases like this we can recommend using an alternative such as tile or hardwood flooring. We believe it’s always best to replace damaged carpet ASAP because prolonged exposure to such intense heat can affect its integrity and longevity, causing more problems down the road!
3) What gets rid of burnt smell in house?
There are many substances that can help remove odor from your home after a fire occurs, included:
- White vinegar (which is excellent for removing smoke smells from tile, grout, etc.).
- Baking soda (great for removing burnt paint smells from walls).
- Vinegar water solution (good for use on laminate or hardwood floors).
- Steam mop (can be used on most floor surfaces).
- Odor counteractants ( available at most major retailers). Can be sprayed onto surfaces such as walls, carpets, etc.).
- Doesn’t eliminate smoke odor but does help mask it out).
- Commercial deodorizers (with regards to restoration companies such as Friendly Hills Restoration we provide a deodorizer spray at no additional charge).
- Ozonators (can be purchased through restoration companies such as Friendly Hills Restoration).
- Mechanical fans (for large areas where air circulation is required).
- Humidifiers (for small/medium sized areas where air circulation is required).
- Air purifiers (for small/medium sized areas where air circulation is required).
- Air purification system (used by restoration companies such as Friendly Hills Restoration during their inspection process).
Is it safe to sleep in a house after there’s been smoke damage?
If you feel comfortable remaining in your home after it’s been affected by fire or other structural damage, then you’re probably wondering if it’s safe for you and your family to sleep there. While many safety issues are involved,. in general, it should be okay—as long as there’s no visible signs of water damage or other issues like mold growth. However in some cases people may notice black residue on their walls following a fire which could indicate dangerous levels of unhealthy chemicals emitting from their walls, so this is why we recommend using a professional company like Friendly Hills Restoration for specialized testing to ensure family members are safe inside their home after any type of disaster occurs!
4) Is the smell of smoke after a fire harmful?
Smoke from any type of fire can be harmful to both your health and long-term health depending on how much exposure you have. The most common by-products from fires are carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), both are colorless gases produced when organic matter burns rapidly under an insufficient supply of oxygen. CO concentrations above 50 parts per million pose a risk to human health—especially those who suffer from heart or lung disease, pregnant women and children under six months old. For example carbon monoxide reduces oxygen supply in body tissues which compromises its ability to produce energy for vital body functions. It is also directly linked to cancer and damage to the heart and lungs.
The smell of smoke tends to be the biggest indicator of high CO concentrations in the atmosphere after a fire. Therefore its important to consider when those odors start to fade away!
5) Is it safe to sleep in a house after there’s been smoke damage?
Before sleeping in a house affected by a fire, you should test your indoor air quality by having your home tested for carbon monoxide (CO) levels. Many products and materials used in homes can give off fumes that aren’t visible or easy to smell. Be sure to check if your fire restoration company offers air monitoring services, as this will help prevent potential problems. Some symptoms of being exposed to CO include fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
In some cases homeowners may also want to evaluate their insurance policy as it may cover temporary accommodations following a fire. As a leading restoration company in the Raleigh area, Friendly Hills Restoration deals with many families who face these issues first hand and we would be happy to help after a fire occurs to ensure you have the right coverage and the right help managing the situation!
Learn more about how our team at Friendly Hills Restoration can provide the personalized care you need following your home disaster. Please call us today for more information or request an appointment using our online form. We’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.