What Is Smoke Remediation?

Smoke remediation is a thorough cleaning process that removes harmful combustion particulates, soot, and odors from homes affected by fire. It restores spaces to safe, livable conditions by eliminating toxins and improving indoor air quality.

Why is Smoke Remediation Important?

Fires leave behind harmful residues that can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, trigger anxiety, flashbacks, sleep disturbances and other health risks. Removing these contaminants through smoke remediation is essential for restoring both safety and comfort in affected homes.

Red Lightning Smoke Remediation Process

Our step-by-step process is designed to ensure safe, high-quality results for residents:

  1. Application: Homeowners begin by filling out an application on our website to request smoke remediation services.

  2. Assessment & Testing Scheduling: We assess the application and schedule a testing appointment based on safety and accessibility, as well as our availability.

  3. Safety Inspection & Testing: Each home is inspected and tested for potential hazards, such as lead and asbestos by our certified professional, before cleaning begins. Samples are sent to the mainland, with results typically available within 10 business days. 

  4. Smoke Remediation Scheduling: Once results come back negative for lead and asbestos, our team contacts you to schedule your home for cleaning.

  5. Thorough Cleaning:

    • HEPA Vacuuming & Wiping: We utilize HEPA vacuums, degreasers, and odor counteractants to clean all permanent surfaces in the home. This includes attic insulation removal and vacuuming, can include carpet removal (if requested), but does not include installing new insulation or carpet or cleaning personal belongings. 

  6. Final Testing: After cleaning, we test for any remaining combustion particulate to ensure the home is safe for re-entry. Samples are sent to the mainland, with results typically available within 10 business days.

Do I Qualify?

You may qualify if:

  • Your home was affected by a fire and has lingering smoke damage.

  • There is no lead or asbestos present (testing available).

  • There is no mold present.

What We Provide

  • Safety Precautions: Testing for hazardous materials.

  • Cleaning & Odor Removal: Comprehensive smoke remediation of permanent surfaces, including vacuuming, wiping, and odor control.

  • Final Verification: Post-remediation testing to ensure safety.

Next Steps

If you're interested in smoke remediation, please fill out the application below. We will contact you to discuss your needs and schedule initial testing as soon as possible. 

FAQs:

  • Volunteers with Red Lightning and our partner organizations.

  • Nothing. We are a nonprofit organization that trains volunteers to do the services for those in need.

  • This is a case by case basis. However, for our full remediation process, we ask that all belongings are removed from inside the home to be able to perform thorough remediation. Our volunteers only perform smoke remediation on the shell of the home, ie: attic, ceiling, walls, cabinets, closets, floors. 

    There are some exceptions that can be discussed and planned for at initial testing.

  • No. Personal belongings should be removed by the homeowner to ensure our volunteers don’t break anything.

  • No

  • The homeowner. Some have rented a dumpster and others have done dump runs.

  • No

  • We don’t want to force anyone out of their home, but we recommend you don’t stay in the home as it is being smoke remediated. This is due to the chemicals we use and cross contamination prevention. Please ask Red Lightning representatives about your situation. 

  • Our ideal start time for attics is 4 a.m.. The latest we like to start an attic is 6 a.m.. 

    If your home does not have an attic we start at 8 a.m. unless determined otherwise.

  • Please have them fill in the application and we will be in contact with them. If you would like to be the contact person for them you may fill out the application for them and put your phone number as the contact.

  • You do not need to be present during smoke remediation. We will just need a way to get into the home. Some homeowners have met us at the door to let us in, others have given us a key or a code to the garage or door. This is dependent on what you are comfortable with.