Three-step process key to removing smoke odor

As promised, in this week's article, I will discuss smoke odor removal.

The first thing a first-response cleanup team does is immediately get control of the soot and smoke odor. Until the soot and charred wood is addressed, it will continue to give off gas. This will continue to penetrate all of the surfaces in the home.

The industry's most modern and effective odor control system is a three-step process. Each step is distinctive and unique, but most importantly, each step is necessary. Relying on a singular odor control technique often results in ineffective odor removal. Odor removal agents operate on a variety of principles, including counteraction, pairing and masking. Deodorant blocks contain masking agents. Pairing agents combine malodors to form a new odorless compound. Counteraction (disinfectants) usually involve the destruction of bacteria and fungi.

Smoke odor removal should precede normal cleaning or repair activity.

There are three steps in smoke odor removal:

A. All vertical and horizontal surfaces should be sprayed with a pairing agent. This step is the preliminary detoxification. The objective is to chemically block or restrict odor bearing molecules from evaporating into the atmosphere.

B. The second step is to liberally apply a granular odor counteractant to all horizontal surfaces. This product is specially formulated to quickly release odor counteractant vapors in the air. This product should be placed into the attic, crawl spaces, voids above suspended ceilings, etc.

C. The last step is thermal fogging. Thermal fogging duplicates the heat and penetrating characteristics of the fire. The small particles it produces penetrate the pores of the floor, walls and ceilings.

Fire cleanup requires specialized equipment and training. In next week's article, I will discuss both.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed Madan at Northwest Environmental Services (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified executive housekeeper and certified fire, water and mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is chief executive officer of Northwest Environmental Services, which specializes in commercial, residential construction, and crime scene/meth lab cleanup.