Can You Paint Smoke Damaged Walls?

Smoke damage on your walls due to a fire is a serious issue that requires more than paint. Painting over smoke damage may seem like a quick solution, but it is not recommended. This article will go into detail on the correct procedures on what to do with smoke damage, and also why you shouldn't paint over smoke damage.

1. Persistent Odour

One of the main reasons not to paint over smoke damaged walls/ceilings is persistent odours. Smoke particles are very small and will penetrate/stick to porous materials. Applying a new coat of paint will not seal the odour in. These odours will permeate through the new paint and will result in a smell that is now even harder to get rid of.

2. Staining and Discolouration.

Smoke damage will cause visible staining on walls and ceilings. These stains caused by the soot and other residues from the fire will cling to all surfaces. Painting over them without a professional clean and using the correct sealant will allow the stains to bleed back through the paint. You could paint over these stains many times and they will always bleed back through.

3. Health Risks

Smoke damage comes with significant health risks. The particles left behind can include toxic substances such as carcinogens, metals and particulates that are dangerous to breathe in. This can make respiratory conditions worse, cause cancer, potential burns to the esophagus and even death. Painting over the damage will not seal in these harmful particles/chemicals. So it is a must to have a professional clean conducted for your own health and safety.

4. Poor Adhesion and Peeling Paint

Walls affected by smoke damage can have compromised surfaces. Soot and other particles will interfere with how sticky your paint is to your walls/ceilings. This will lead to peeling and flaking over time. Professional cleaning and priming/sealing of your walls/ceilings must happen before painting.

5. Structural Damage

Fires can cause structural damage within a property. If you paint over the surface which may be showing signs of structural damage, this can leave you with a false sense of security. Over time structural damage can get worse and will leave you with a large bill or potential collapse of walls/ceilings. You must have someone inspect the property to assess these issues and in most cases someone will not inspect a property until a professional clean has been conducted.

Painting over walls with smoke damage is not a long term fix. The persistent odours, stains, health risks and potential structural issues will not go away. Here at Emergency Clean UK, we offer a comprehensive after fire cleaning service which will mean you can get your home back to a habitable state, or allow the proper experts to come in and assess your home for structural issues. Our technicians are fully qualified and equipped to deal with a job of any size and severity. If you yourself are in need of a fire damage clean, please click the button below to view our service.