Nobody enjoys dealing with smoke, but we must take action if a fire damages our home. While covering smoke damage may appear to be the most difficult task on the planet, particularly if large sections of your walls and ceilings have been damaged, this is a project that you can quickly complete on your own if you prepare correctly.
Paint Over Smoke Damage in 4 Easy Steps
A detailed plan and an understanding of what to accomplish are critical, and responding quickly is always preferable. Therefore, if this occurs in your home, the following procedures should be taken.
Dry Cleaning
This is the initial stage in fire remediation and one that most people find strange at first. Most people believe that cleaning with a damp cloth and a sponge is the best method, but it is critical to dry-clean everything first. This will assist in removing the majority of stains and soot remaining from the accident.
The finest tool for cleaning walls and ceilings is a dry-cleaning sponge, which is relatively inexpensive and readily available. The best feature of these sponges is that they are typically chemical-free, which helps keep your home healthy. Wipe the walls and ceilings with straight overlapping strokes, removing as much debris as possible before the cleaning process.
Wet Cleaning
After dry-cleaning your walls and ceiling and removing any debris and soot, wet-clean everything to observe the difference. Again, you’ll need sponges, additional clothing, safety apparel, and equipment that will not harm your health or expose you to dangerous substances.
To remove stains, the majority of individuals utilize powdered phosphate-based heavy-duty cleaners. Combine a small amount of the powder with warm water and sponge it on your walls and ceilings, just as you did when dry-cleaning the damaged area. Finally, wipe the area well with clean water and allow it to dry.
Priming
Before painting your walls or ceilings, you must prime them. Naturally, you must first remove all stains from your surfaces, as repainting would be pointless if they remained visible. To apply the primer, simply ensure that any spots are covered, leaving only a clean surface, and you’re ready to start.
Don’t be fearful if this is your first time using a primer or painting a wall. Utilize a sufficient amount of primer to prevent recurrence of the stains, but keep in mind that primers can be odorous. That is why you must keep your windows open and, if you are in the kitchen, turn on your powerful fire duct to remove any lingering scents before you become disoriented.
Repainting
After thoroughly cleaning and preparing any damaged surfaces for painting, it’s time to cover the fire damage in your home with paint. While this is the simplest step and may be completed in your sleep, it still demands time and energy.
The primary issue is whether to repaint only the damaged areas or the full space. Therefore, assess the damage and determine whether covering a small wall section is sufficient. If you’re dissatisfied with the outcome, simply repaint the remainder of the room.
If the Damage Is Considerably More Severe, Consult a Professional
Following these steps, your home should begin to resemble how it looked before the fire. Regrettably, most smoke damage incidents are too severe for these methods to be effective. If smoke and soot damage persists, or if your property has experienced additional damage due to the fire, contact a professional fire restorer like PuroClean to make your home appear brand new.
Conclusion
It is critical to properly remove black smoke and soot from walls to avoid health risks and additional property damage. Following a fire, it is vital to quickly begin cleaning smoke damage, as it can leave permanent stains, etching, and discoloration on walls and household goods and corrode and degrade surfaces.
