Wildfire Smoke Damage Cleanup in Arcadia, CA

How wildfire smoke affects homes

Southern California's foothill communities live with wildfire season, and smoke can travel for miles. Fine particles enter through vents, attic openings and gaps around doors and windows. Once inside, they cling to fabrics, insulation and duct surfaces and release odor for a long time.

Wildfire smoke and ash cleanup

• Inspection of interior and exterior surfaces, attic and crawl space
• HEPA vacuuming of ash and fine particulate
• Cleaning of walls, ceilings, windows, floors and contents
• HVAC and duct cleaning and filter replacement
• Odor treatment through fogging, hydroxyl or other deodorization methods
• Air scrubbing to reduce airborne particulates

Protecting yourself while cleaning

• Wear a properly fitted N95 or better respirator when handling ash
• Avoid sweeping or using a leaf blower, which pushes ash back into the air
• Replace HVAC filters and run the system on recirculate
• Keep windows closed on poor air quality days
• Keep children, older adults and pets away from the cleanup area

When to call for help

Call a restoration company if odor persists after you air out the home, if you see ash or residue on surfaces, or if your HVAC system was running while smoke was in the area. It is also wise to get an assessment before your next storm, since rain can combine with ash and create a harder cleaning problem.

Please note: Emergency Water Damage Arcadia is a referral service, not a contractor. All restoration work is performed by independent companies licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

Frequently asked questions