Black soot on the ceiling and upper cabinets
Dark stains spreading across the ceiling above the stove are soot, and they need dry cleaning before any wet cleaning. Then the ceiling gets a stain-blocking primer and paint.
Serving Buffalo Grove & nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in Buffalo Grove, IL
Stovetop fire or smoke damage in your Buffalo Grove kitchen? We clean soot, remove smoke odor and rebuild what burned.
- Serving Buffalo Grove ZIP 60089
- Containment so the damage doesn't spread
- One team from cleanup to rebuild
Fire and smoke damage we restore in Buffalo Grove kitchens
Most kitchen fires start on the stovetop and stay small, but the soot and smoke travel much farther than the flames. In Buffalo Grove we clean the residue off ceilings, cabinets and walls, deal with the odor and replace what actually burned.
Smoke smell that won't go away
Lingering smoke smell means residue is still in the room. Masking sprays don't fix it; cleaning and deodorizing do.
Grease fire on the stovetop
After a stovetop flare-up, the damage is usually concentrated above the burner. We rebuild that area and clean the residue that spread beyond it.
Smoke residue in the rest of the house
Smoke from a kitchen fire often drifts into nearby rooms, the HVAC returns and closets. We check and clean beyond the kitchen where it's needed.
Damaged range hood or microwave above the range
The hood or over-the-range microwave usually takes the worst of a stovetop fire. We remove it, clean or replace the duct and install a new unit.
Appliances covered in soot
Most appliances away from the flames come back with cleaning. The ones next to it often need replacement.
Melted outlets, wiring or switches
Discolored or melted plates near the stove mean heat reached the wiring. We have the electrical checked and repaired before closing walls.
Water and extinguisher residue
If the fire department put the fire out, water may be under cabinets and floors too. We dry that along with the smoke cleanup.
What the restoration covers
- AssessmentWe walk the kitchen and nearby rooms to separate burned materials from soot-covered ones.
- Electrical checkWe have heat-exposed wiring and outlets inspected before rebuilding.
- Protecting the rest of the houseWe keep the cleanup contained to the affected area.
- Removing burned materialsCharred cabinets, the hood, damaged drywall and countertop sections are removed.
- Soot cleaningCeilings, walls, cabinets and appliances are cleaned with methods suited to the type of soot.
- Odor removalRemaining smoke odor is treated once the residue is gone.
- Sealing and paintingWe seal cleaned surfaces so stains and smell don't come back through the paint.
Tools of the job
HEPA vacuums and air scrubbersEquipment to capture fine soot from surfaces and the air during cleanup.
Odor-sealing primerShellac-based or similar sealers that block stains and smoke odor before paint.
Dry soot spongesThe first pass on ceilings and walls, so residue isn't smeared.
Degreasing cleanersCleaners suited to oily grease-fire residue on cabinets and walls.
Odor treatment equipmentDeodorization equipment used once residue has been removed.
Kitchens like yours in Buffalo Grove: before and after
Problem
Fixed
DetailBuffalo Grove kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen fire & smoke restoration
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Buffalo Grove. What we started with: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim and a brass chandelier over the nook. The main complaint was a grease fire that scorched the upper cabinets. After: the ceiling cleaned, sealed and repainted, new upper cabinets and a new range hood above the stove. Work included assessment, electrical check, plus protecting the rest of the house.
Before
AfterAn Arlington Heights 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
A 1990s two-story colonial in Arlington Heights, a typical kitchen for Arlington Heights. What we started with: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above and two hanging glass pendants. The reason for the call: a grease fire that scorched the upper cabinets. After: the ceiling cleaned, sealed and repainted, new upper cabinets and a new range hood above the stove. Work included protecting the rest of the house, soot cleaning, plus odor removal.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterA Palatine 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Palatine. What we started with: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. The main complaint was smoke-blackened wood cabinets above the range. After: the ceiling cleaned, sealed and repainted, new upper cabinets and a new range hood above the stove. The job covered electrical check, removing burned materials, plus odor removal.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in Palatine →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Buffalo Grove
What changed: cabinets in pale sage with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, light oak hardwood flooring and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterA Buffalo Grove 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
Finished: the same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Buffalo Grove →How restoration goes
- Call us after the fire is outOnce the fire department has cleared the house, call us and we'll tell you how fast we can be there.
- Assess and protectA walkthrough, photos for your insurer and protection for the rest of the house.
- Clean and deodorizeWe remove residue from every surface and treat the remaining smell.
- RebuildWe replace what burned and repaint so the kitchen is usable again.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration questions from Buffalo Grove homeowners
Is it safe to use the kitchen after a small fire?
Wait until wiring, outlets and the range are inspected. Heat can damage things you can't see.
Can a kitchen with fire damage be repaired?
Usually. Small and medium kitchen fires are repaired, not gutted.
Should cabinets be cleaned or replaced after a fire?
It depends on heat exposure. Doors with blistered finish or charring go; smoke-stained ones are cleaned.
How do you get rid of smoke smell after a kitchen fire?
Cleaning comes before odor treatment. Sprays mask it; removing soot and sealing surfaces solve it.
Do I need a board-up after a kitchen fire?
Not usually for a small fire contained to the kitchen. Board-up is for broken windows, doors or openings, and we'll tell you if you need it.
Buffalo Grove building permit for kitchen fire and smoke restoration: where do I apply?
Permits go through Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services (BS&A Online), phone 847-459-2530. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Who inspects kitchen hoods and fire safety in Buffalo Grove?
Fire Prevention Bureau, 50 Raupp Boulevard. We schedule the inspection and have the paperwork ready.
Do I need a permit for kitchen fire and smoke restoration in Buffalo Grove?
It depends on the scope. Buffalo Grove's rule in short: Permit required to replace or modify a kitchen, including replacing cabinetry; replacing a sink or faucet needs a plumbing permit even in the same location; electrical must meet the 2017 NEC. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services.
Do you work in my part of Buffalo Grove?
Yes. Our crews work across Buffalo Grove, including The Highlands, Green Knolls, Windfield, Didier Farms — ZIP 60089 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Zurich.
Working in Buffalo Grove
- A lot of Buffalo Grove kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Buffalo Grove homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
The HighlandsGreen KnollsWindfieldDidier Farms
ZIP 60089
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration nearby
Other kitchen services in Buffalo Grove
Kitchen Water Damage RestorationLeaks stopped, water extracted, cabinets and floors dried and rebuilt.
Kitchen Mold RemediationMoisture source fixed, mold contained and removed, kitchen rebuilt.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.