If the house still smells after the visible rooms were cleaned, the soot is usually somewhere you can't see.
The attic
Hot smoke rises. It settles on insulation, rafters and the underside of the roof deck. Smoky insulation usually has to be removed and replaced.
Inside walls
Smoke moves through gaps around outlets, pipes and wiring and coats the inside of wall cavities. Restoration companies may open walls to clean and seal them.
Ducts and the HVAC system
If the system ran, soot is in the ducts and the air handler. It will keep blowing out until they are cleaned.
Sealing
After cleaning, framing and surfaces are often sealed with an odor-blocking primer so the smell can't come back on hot, humid days.
Quick checklist
- Check the attic
- Ask about wall cavities near the fire
- Clean the ducts
- Seal before repainting
General information, not advice for your specific policy or property. Updated October 2026.
