Why Your Home Still Smells Like Smoke Months After a Wildfire (and What Your Insurance Should Cover)
Even months after a wildfire, many homeowners still notice a lingering smoke odor in their home — in the walls, furniture, clothing, or HVAC system. It’s frustrating, confusing, and often unsettling, especially when you’ve already cleaned your space or even had a mitigation company come through.
If your home still smells like smoke long after the fire, there’s a reason — and it’s not your imagination. Wildfire smoke is one of the most invasive, persistent forms of contamination, and “surface cleaning” alone is rarely enough to restore a home back to a safe, pre-loss condition.
At Disaster-Pro, we help homeowners understand why this happens — and what the insurance company is obligated to do about it.
1. Smoke Odor Means Contamination Is Still Present
A smoke smell isn’t just a nuisance — it’s a sign that microscopic ash, soot, and combustion byproducts remain trapped somewhere in the home.
What’s often still contaminated:
Drywall and insulation
Ceiling and wall cavities
HVAC ducts and flex tubes
Attic insulation
Flooring gaps and seams
Soft goods, clothing, rugs, and furniture
Cabinets, drawers, and closet interiors
These particles embed deep into porous surfaces and continue releasing odor over time — especially when temperature or humidity rise.
2. Why Cleaning Didn’t Fix It
Many mitigation companies focus on surface cleaning only, which looks good on paper but doesn’t actually eliminate the source.
Common shortcuts we see:
Wiping walls without removing contaminated insulation
HVAC cleaning without replacing flex tubing
Surface HEPA vacuuming but no removal of porous materials
Ignoring attic insulation entirely
Declaring “all clear” based on visual inspection only
Not using a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) for lab testing
Surface cleaning removes what’s visible — but not what’s embedded.
3. Hidden Areas Often Hold the Strongest Odor
If smoke odor increases when:
The HVAC turns on
Windows are closed
Weather warms up
Doors, drawers, or closets are opened
…it’s almost guaranteed that contamination remains behind the surfaces.
In many cases, the strongest odors come from:
✔ HVAC system and flex lines
These act like “odor storage units,” blowing contaminated air through the home.
✔ Attic and wall insulation
Fibrous insulation traps smoke and can hold odor for years.
✔ Gaps in flooring, trim, and cabinetry
Fine ash settles into crevices that were never cleaned or sealed.
4. Your Insurance Should Cover Proper Remediation — Not Just Wiping Walls
According to widely recognized remediation standards and California/industry guidelines (IICRC S520, EPA, CalEPA, Cal/OSHA):
Insurance is required to pay for
Removal and replacement of contaminated porous materials (drywall, insulation, carpet, soft goods)
Cleaning or replacement of HVAC systems and ductwork
HEPA filtration and negative air during remediation
Full repainting and sealing of surfaces after cleaning
Independent testing to prove the home is safe to occupy
A simple “wipe and go” or “fog the room” approach is not an adequate cure for wildfire contamination.
5. Why Odor Comes Back Months Later
Even if your home originally seemed odor-free, the smell can return due to:
🌡 Heat and humidity
Warm air releases trapped odor molecules from porous materials.
🚪 Opening closed areas
Cabinets, drawers, closets, and attics can release stored odor suddenly.
🌀 HVAC cycling
If the duct system wasn’t properly cleaned or replaced, turning on the system spreads the smell everywhere.
🔍 Incomplete remediation
If a mitigation company missed one cavity, one closet, or one insulation bay — the odor will persist.
6. What Homeowners Should Do Right Now
If your home still smells like smoke:
1. Do a walkthrough and note where odor is strongest
Closets? HVAC vents? Attic access? Cabinets? This matters.
2. Do not repaint, seal, or replace flooring yet
You need testing first — otherwise, insurance may argue “pre-existing” or “homeowner-caused.”
3. Request a CIH or third-party smoke/ash contamination test
This protects you.
4. Do not rely on the insurer’s contractor or mitigation company
They are not independent.
5. Document everything
Send a written notice to your adjuster stating odor persists and request further investigation.
7. How Disaster Pro Helps You Get a Proper Claim Resolution
Wildfire and smoke claims are our specialty — especially in California where ash, soot, HVAC contamination, and health sensitivities must be taken seriously.
We help homeowners by:
✔ Inspecting the home with a trained eye for overlooked contamination
✔ Reviewing all prior estimates, mitigation work, and photos
✔ Identifying missed line items and improper cleaning methods
✔ Coordinating proper lab testing (if needed)
✔ Preparing a corrected scope of work
✔ Negotiating with the adjuster for coverage of necessary remediation
✔ Ensuring your home is safe, clean, and odor-free before settlement
We guide families from disaster to recovery with transparency, clarity, and expertise.
Still Smelling Smoke? You’re Not Alone — and You’re Not Stuck.
If your home still carries a smoke odor, the contamination was not properly remediated — and insurance is responsible for correcting that.
We’re here to help homeowners get the testing, cleaning, replacement, and compensation they deserve.
