Take the right steps to get rid of lingering smoke odors

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

The first thing a first-response clean-up 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 off gassing will continue to penetrate all 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 very 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 involves 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 verified and horizontal surfaces should be sprayed with a pairing agent. This step is the preliminary detoxification. The objective is to chemically block or resist 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 floors, walls and ceilings.

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

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them.

Always test fabrics and paints before using any chemical compounds. Remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call me at NWEST (255-2266) or send them to the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID, 83864, attn. What Would Ed Do? To find out more information about Ed, check him out on his Web site: nwees.com or e-mail him at madan@surf1.ws

Ed Madan is a certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. He is the CEO of Northwest Executive and Environmental Services, LLC.