Residue decides everything
Restoration follows the IICRC S700 standard, which begins by identifying the residue, because each cleans differently: dry smoke lifts with dry methods; wet smoke needs degreasers and smears if wiped with water; protein residue is a greasy near-invisible film that needs degreasing on every surface; fuel-oil soot is oily and travels through ducts. Most fires produce a mix, and the crew tests room by room.
The sequence
Dry before wet, top before bottom, unaffected areas protected first. HEPA vacuuming and dry sponges; then wet cleaning with agents matched to the residue and corrosion inhibitors on metals; removals of what cannot be cleaned to standard, photographed and listed; the HVAC system cleaned and filters replaced; clean surfaces sealed with odor-blocking primer before paint.
The rooms the fire did not reach
Smoke penetration is house-wide: closets, drawers, cabinets, the attic and crawl space, the backs of pictures and the tops of doors. A good cleanup treats the house.
Electronics, glass and metal
Soot corrodes circuit boards and etches glass and chrome within days; these get corrosion inhibitors and evaluation on day one.
On the claim
Cleanup is billed by square foot by method with removals itemized, in an Xactimate estimate billed directly to your insurer on covered claims; your deductible applies as your policy states.
