Smoke & Soot Cleanup in Orange County, CA
After a fire, stove flare-up, or furnace puff-back, fine soot coats walls, ceilings, and contents—and odors linger. White Glove Plumbing & Restoration performs meticulous smoke & soot cleanup (interior wipe-down) to remove residues, neutralize acids, and restore indoor air quality with minimal disruption.
✓ Rapid mobilization: Crews deploy fast
✓ Surface-safe cleaning: Products matched to finishes
✓ Odor control: Air and material treatment
✓ Insurance docs: Photos, logs, estimates
✓ Rapid mobilization
✓ Surface-safe cleaning
✓ Odor control
✓ Insurance docs
What Is Smoke & Soot Cleanup Interior Wipe-Down?
It’s a controlled cleaning and deodorization process that removes corrosive soot from painted walls/ceilings, cabinetry, trim, hard goods, and light contents.
We start with dry pre-cleaning to lift loose particulates, then apply pH-appropriate wet cleaning to dissolve residues, followed by odor neutralization and air quality management. The goal: safe surfaces, stable finishes, and a home that smells clean—not perfumed.
Why Choose White Glove Plumbing
End-to-end fire recovery: Board-up/tarping, interior wipe-down, HVAC handling, odor removal, and rebuild—one accountable team.
IICRC-trained technicians: Proper residue ID (dry, wet, protein, fuel-oil) and surface-specific methods to prevent smearing and etching.
Odor elimination, not cover-ups: HEPA air scrubbing, hydroxyl/thermal fogging, and sealing/encapsulation where needed.
Carrier-ready files: Photos, room sketches, cleaning logs, and line-item estimates to streamline approvals.
Emergency Checklist (What to Do Now)
Stay safe first. If you smell gas or see active fire, evacuate and call 911.
Don’t run HVAC. It spreads soot into ducts and clean rooms.
Avoid DIY washing. Water + wrong cleaner can set stains and smear protein soot.
Limit traffic. Close doors to clean areas; lay walk-off protection at entries.
Do not power electronics. Soot is conductive and corrosive.
Call our 24/7 dispatcher. We’ll protect HVAC, assess residues, and begin a controlled wipe-down.
Common Sources We Treat
Kitchen fires (protein residues): Invisible film with strong odor; smears easily without proper chemistry.
Electrical/space-heater events: Plastics/insulation soot with acidic byproducts.
Furnace puff-backs (fuel-oil soot): Sticky black film throughout interiors.
Fireplace/chimney smoke: Dry soot on mantels, walls, and ceilings.
Wildfire smoke intrusion: Fine particulates and odor without direct flame.
Assessment & Testing
Identify residue type (dry, wet, protein, fuel-oil), test pH/solubility, note sensitive finishes, and set a room-by-room plan.
Containment & HVAC Protection
Isolate work zones, install HEPA air scrubbers, and bag or change filters; protect supply/return registers to prevent re-distribution.
Dry Pre-Clean
HEPA vacuum and chemical sponge (dry-clean sponge) walls/ceilings/trim to lift loose soot without smearing.
Wet Clean & Neutralization
Apply surface-appropriate detergents/alkaline cleaners or emulsifiers; rinse and wipe to neutral pH; special protocols for protein soot in kitchens.
Odor Removal & Air Management
Run HEPA filtration and apply hydroxyl or thermal fogging as indicated; ozone only in unoccupied spaces when appropriate.
Detailing, Verification & Touch-Ups
White-glove surface checks, gloss comparison, and odor verification; specify stain-blocking primer/sealer and paint where needed; final photos and sign-off.
What’s Included
Residue ID & cleaning plan (by room/finish)
HEPA air scrubbing & HVAC protection (filter change/covering)
Dry pre-clean with HEPA vacuuming and chemical sponges
Wet cleaning/neutralization matched to residue and surface
Odor treatment (hydroxyl/thermal fog; sealing if required)
Documentation (photos, cleaning logs, estimates, final verification)
Costs & Timelines (What to Expect)
Typical duration: Many interior wipe-downs complete in 1–3 days per average home; heavy residues, high ceilings, or contents add time.
Cost drivers: Residue type (protein/fuel-oil take longer), square footage, surface complexity (textured paint/cabinetry), HVAC/duct scope, and odor treatments.
Transparent scope: You’ll receive a line-item estimate and a daily progress update; we coordinate with your adjuster.
Insurance & Claims Help
Carrier coordination: We submit photos, room sketches, cleaning products used, and equipment logs (HEPA/hydroxyl).
Contents handling: Itemize wipe-down vs. pack-out/restore; note non-restorable items with supporting photos.
Supplements: If hidden residues or repainting/sealing become necessary, we document and submit promptly.
Risks of Waiting (Why Immediate Extraction Matters)
Corrosion on metals, fixtures, and electronics increases by the hour in acidic soot.
Permanent staining and odor set-in occur when residues sit or are cleaned incorrectly.
Indoor air quality suffers; particulates resettle on freshly cleaned surfaces.
Claim complexity grows without immediate, well-documented mitigation.
Methods, Equipment & Quality Standards
Residue-first approach: Dry soot (soft brushes/HEPA), wet soot (controlled detergency), protein residues (specialized alkaline/emulsifiers), fuel-oil (degreasing steps).
Surfaces: Flat/eggshell vs. semi-gloss paints, stained/painted wood, laminates, stone/solid surface tops, tile/grout, and appliances.
Electronics: Leave powered off; we coordinate specialty cleaning or evaluation as needed.
Air & odor: HEPA air scrubbers, hydroxyl generators, thermal fog; ozone only off-hours in unoccupied areas with re-entry controls.
Finish recovery: When staining/ghosting persists, specify stain-blocking primers and paint to restore uniform appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a wipe-down remove the smell completely?
Yes, when combined with correct chemistry, air management, and sealing where needed. We don’t mask—we remove and neutralize.
Do you have to repaint everything?
Not always. Proper cleaning often restores finishes; we prime/paint selectively when staining or shadowing remains.
Is protein soot really different?
Yes—nearly invisible, very adhesive, and highly odorous. It needs specific cleaners and careful technique.
Can I clean walls myself with soap and water?
We don’t recommend it—wrong pH or tools can set stains and spread residues.
Do you clean ducts?
We protect and filter HVAC immediately and can coordinate duct inspection/cleaning if contamination is confirmed.
What about my artwork and soft goods?
We can pack-out and restore textiles, art, and specialty items through vetted partners.
More White Glove Plumbing Fire Damage Restoration Services
Proudly Serving All of Orange County
Address: 1430 E Borchard Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (949) 209-5206
Email: office@whitegloveplumbingca.com
White Glove Plumbing is locally based in Santa Ana and serves residential and commercial clients across Orange County with 24/7 emergency plumbing and water-damage restoration.
Our expert team handles leak detection, emergency plumbing, water extraction/dry-out, sewage cleanup, mold remediation, and reconstruction in top OC areas including Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente - plus surrounding neighborhoods.
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1430 E Borchard Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705