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You’ll know you have smoke damage if you notice a lingering smoky odor, see soot or residue, or spot any discoloration of surfaces in your home. If you have any kind of house fire, always assume you have smoke damage and hire a professional who deals with smoke damage to assess the extent of the damage and restore your home to its pre-fire condition.

Baking soda is an effective fire reduction method. However, flour and baking powder are very dangerous around flames. Flour is flammable and it can also conduct electricity. The combination can cause serious injury from electrical shock and worsen the situation by adding fuel to the fire. Baking powder is also not an option as it's also highly flammable. 

Repairing a fire-damaged home could cost anywhere from $2,000 to $200,000 or more—it all depends on the extent of the damage and the quality of the materials you use. In most cases, your homeowner’s insurance company will cover the majority of the repairs. If you’re buying a home with fire damage, though, it’s best to get an estimate from a fire damage restoration company to estimate the repairs before closing.

The timeline for smoke damage remediation can range from a single day to several months, depending on the extent of the damage, the size of the affected area, and the methods used. For minor damage, such as removing cigarette smoke odors from a single room, the process might take only one to two days and typically involves deep cleaning, painting, and sealing walls. Some methods, like ozone treatments, can take 24 to 48 hours, though multiple treatments may be necessary. More extensive smoke damage, such as from a house fire, can take three weeks or longer to clean and treat. If significant material restoration or replacement is needed, the timeline can extend to six to 12 months. A smoke damage restoration professional can provide a more accurate estimate for your specific situation.