Smoke damage in a condo unit
A fire in one unit can leave residue next door. We focus on the kitchen we're hired for and record what we see beyond it.
Serving Palatine & nearby Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in Palatine, IL
Stovetop fire or smoke damage in your Palatine kitchen? We clean soot, remove smoke odor and rebuild what burned.
- Crews covering Palatine ZIP 60067, 60074
- We stop the cause first, then dry, clean and rebuild
- Photos and notes you can share with your insurer
Fire and smoke damage we restore in Palatine kitchens
After a grease fire, the cabinets above the range may be charred while the rest of the kitchen is coated in a greasy film you can smell for weeks. Our Palatine crew sorts out what can be cleaned and what has to be replaced, then does both.
Burned or charred cabinets
Fire-damaged boxes and doors come out. We try to keep the rest of the kitchen and match the new pieces to it.
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.
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.
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
Even a small fire can leave a film in the dining room and hallway. We look at the adjoining areas, not just the stove wall.
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.
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 we handle after the damage
- AssessmentFirst we decide what can be cleaned and what has to be replaced.
- Protecting the rest of the houseUnaffected rooms are closed off and floors covered so soot isn't tracked through.
- Removing burned materialsCharred cabinets, the hood, damaged drywall and countertop sections are removed.
- Soot cleaningDry soot sponges, HEPA vacuums and the right cleaners for grease or protein residue on every surface.
- 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.
- RebuildNew cabinets, hood, counters, drywall and fixtures are installed to match or update the kitchen.
How we dry, clean and rebuild
Odor-sealing primerShellac-based or similar sealers that block stains and smoke odor before paint.
Replacement cabinets and hoodMatching boxes and doors for the burned section and a new ventilation hood.
HEPA vacuums and air scrubbersEquipment to capture fine soot from surfaces and the air during cleanup.
Dry soot spongesThe first pass on ceilings and walls, so residue isn't smeared.
Odor treatment equipmentDeodorization equipment used once residue has been removed.
What the work looks like in Palatine homes
Problem
Fixed
DetailBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Palatine
The site: a 1980s two-story in Palatine. Before: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. What bothered the owners most: smoke-blackened wood cabinets above the range. The result: the ceiling cleaned, sealed and repainted, new upper cabinets and a new range hood above the stove. The job covered soot cleaning, odor removal, plus sealing and painting.
Before
AfterKitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Arlington Heights
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Arlington Heights, a typical kitchen for Arlington Heights. The kitchen as it was: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above and two hanging glass pendants. 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. On site this meant removing burned materials, sealing and painting, plus rebuild.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterBuffalo Grove kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen fire & smoke restoration
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial near The Highlands. The kitchen as it was: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim and a brass chandelier over the nook. What bothered the owners most: 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 assessment, removing burned materials, plus odor removal.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Palatine
Finished: cabinets in white uppers and deep green lowers with polished nickel pulls, dark soapstone-look quartz counters, a white herringbone tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Palatine →
Before
AfterA Palatine 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
What changed: the same doors sprayed in deep navy, new brushed nickel bar pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Palatine →Step by step after damage
- 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 protectWe separate burned from smoke-damaged, check the electrical and contain the area.
- Clean and deodorizeBurned materials come out, soot is cleaned and odor is treated.
- RebuildNew cabinets, hood, paint and finishes put the kitchen back together.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration questions from Palatine homeowners
Can I clean smoke damage myself?
Light film on a small area can sometimes be cleaned. Wiping soot with a wet cloth can smear it, so start dry. For widespread residue or strong odor, call us.
Do I need a board-up after a kitchen fire?
Board-up is for securing openings after bigger fires. A stovetop fire typically doesn't need it.
How do I get a fire report in Palatine?
Contact the fire department that responded; they can tell you how to request the incident report. Your insurer may ask for it.
How do you get rid of smoke smell after a kitchen fire?
Remove the residue first: clean every surface, inside cabinets and the hood duct. Then treat what's left with deodorizing equipment and seal walls before painting.
How long does fire restoration take?
It depends on how much burned. We separate the cleaning timeline from the rebuild timeline.
Palatine building permit for kitchen fire and smoke restoration: where do I apply?
Permits go through Community Development Department - Building Permits & Inspections, phone (847) 359-9042. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Can you do kitchen fire and smoke restoration in a Palatine condo?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Which Palatine office signs off on hood work?
Palatine Fire Department Fire Prevention Division, 847-359-9029 (hood suppression systems are in the Village inspection/testing program). We schedule the inspection and have the paperwork ready.
Do I need a permit for kitchen fire and smoke restoration in Palatine?
It depends on the scope. Palatine's rule in short: A permit is required to remodel a kitchen or to add/alter the electrical system. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building Permits & Inspections.
Do you work in my part of Palatine?
Yes. Our crews work across Palatine — ZIP 60067, 60074 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich.
Working in Palatine
- A lot of Palatine kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- We know how Community Development Department - Building Permits & Inspections handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60067ZIP 60074
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration nearby
Other kitchen services in Palatine
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.