# Smoke damage cleanup for Kenwood homes > Smoke damage cleanup for Kenwood's historic homes: plaster detail, fine woodwork, multiple floors, lead and asbestos care and pack-outs. URL: https://firedamagerestorationminneapolis.com/smoke-damage-cleanup-kenwood/ Section: Home > Service areas > Kenwood > Smoke Damage Cleanup in Kenwood Last updated: 2026-10-31 Disclosure: Fire Damage Restoration Minneapolis is a call-in referral service. Your call is connected to an independent, licensed local contractor who speaks with you on that call; we do not perform the work ourselves. Smoke damage in a Kenwood mansion spreads across several floors, settling on plaster moldings, carved woodwork and valuable contents. Cleaning it well takes planning, specialist methods for historic finishes, and careful handling of older materials. Our [smoke damage cleanup](https://firedamagerestorationminneapolis.com/services/smoke-damage-cleanup/) page explains the process. A single call puts you through to an independent local contractor who will discuss your house with you then and there. ## Key facts - The U.S. Fire Administration warns that soot and dirty water after a fire may hold substances that make people sick [1]. - The IICRC S700 standard covers how fire and smoke damage is assessed and cleaned [2]. - Older homes may have lead paint and materials containing asbestos that should be tested before demolition [9][10]. ## Several floors, one plan Large Kenwood houses can have three floors plus a basement and attic. Smoke rises through the main staircase and collects at the top, while lower floors carry residue near the fire. Cleaning works from the attic down so that soot loosened above does not fall on finished rooms. A written plan by floor helps the family know which rooms will be available and when. ## Plaster moldings and ceilings Ornate plaster cornices, ceiling medallions and moldings are features of many of these houses. Soot settles in every recess. They are cleaned with dry methods first, using soft brushes and HEPA vacuums, then gently washed. Damaged detail can be repaired by plaster specialists. Water should be used sparingly on old plaster, which absorbs it. ## Smoke cleanup in a Kenwood house A floor-by-floor approach. 1. **Pack out art, furniture and textiles:** Valuables are inventoried and moved to specialists. 2. **Clean the attic and upper floor:** Insulation removal and top-floor cleaning first. 3. **Clean staircases, woodwork and plaster:** Working down through the house. 4. **Finish the main floor and basement:** Rooms nearest the fire last. ## Woodwork, floors and built-ins Carved staircases, paneling, built-in bookcases and parquet or hardwood floors are cleaned with products safe for their finishes. Some may need refinishing after cleaning. Hardware and fixtures are removed and cleaned separately. Original finishes should be preserved where possible rather than stripped. ## Lead and asbestos Older paint may contain lead [9], and materials such as pipe insulation or old flooring may contain asbestos [10]. Testing before disturbing them, and using lead-safe practices, protects the family and the crew. Permits through the City of Minneapolis may be needed for some repairs [6]. ## Contents that need specialists Common in larger homes. - **Paintings and framed works:** Art conservators. - **Antique furniture:** Furniture restorers. - **Oriental rugs:** Specialist rug cleaners. - **Libraries and archives:** Document restoration specialists. ## Kitchens and service areas Kitchens in large homes may be extensive, with pantries and service areas. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires [8], and kitchen residue needs degreasing. Pantries and butler's pantries collect residue on shelves and contents. The [Kenwood](https://firedamagerestorationminneapolis.com/areas/kenwood/) page describes the layouts of these houses. ## Heating, radiators and ducts Boilers with radiators, or forced-air systems, need cleaning before winter use. Radiators hold soot in their fins; ducts carry it to every room. Clean systems before the heat is turned on to avoid spreading residue. ## Once the Kenwood cleanup is done Remaining odor is handled with [smoke odor removal](https://firedamagerestorationminneapolis.com/services/odor-removal/). The Minnesota Department of Commerce Disaster Information Center explains claims guidance after a fire [4]. A detailed inventory of contents supports the claim for a larger home. ## Third floors, ballrooms and finished attics Some Kenwood houses have finished third floors or attic rooms once used as ballrooms, studios or staff quarters. Smoke rising through the house often settles most heavily here. These rooms are cleaned first, along with the attic spaces around them, before work moves down the house. Insulation behind knee walls and under the roof is often replaced. ## Windows, drapes and window seats Large windows with heavy drapes and built-in window seats are common. Drapes go to specialist cleaners. Window seats are opened and their contents and interiors cleaned. Glass and sashes are cleaned, and leaded glass is handled gently. Window treatments are often the most visible sign of smoke in a room, so cleaning them makes a big difference. ## Keeping the family informed In a large house, the cleanup can take weeks. A schedule showing which floors and rooms will be worked on, and when each is expected to be finished, helps the family plan. Regular updates and photos from the contractor keep the insurer informed too. ## Exterior soot on brick, stone and stucco Smoke pouring from windows streaks the brick, stone or stucco above them and stains eaves and trim. Exterior masonry is cleaned with gentle detergents and low-pressure rinsing to protect the surface. Painted trim is washed and repainted where stains remain. Historic exteriors may also need city review for permanent changes. Testing a hidden patch first shows what will lift the soot without harming the surface. ## Contents inventory for a large home A detailed inventory, room by room, lists each item's condition and what happened to it: cleaned on site, sent to a specialist, stored or discarded. For a house with many valuable contents, this record is the backbone of the claim and helps everything return to the right room. ## Smoke Damage Cleanup in Kenwood: before and after Slide to see a Kenwood room before and after smoke damage cleanup work. ## Smoke Damage Cleanup in Kenwood: questions ### Can ornate plaster be cleaned without damage? Yes, with dry methods and soft brushes first and gentle washing after. Specialists repair damaged detail. ### Who cleans valuable art and antiques? Conservators and specialist restorers, not general crews. ### Do repairs need a permit? Many structural, electrical and mechanical repairs in Minneapolis do [6]. ## Sources 1. [U.S. Fire Administration: After a fire](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/after-a-fire/) 2. [IICRC: S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration](https://iicrc.org/s700/) 3. [U.S. EPA: Protect your family from sources of lead](https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead) 4. [Minnesota Department of Commerce: Disaster Information Center](https://mn.gov/commerce/insurance/home/dic) 5. [National Weather Service: Twin Cities forecast office](https://www.weather.gov/mpx/) 6. [City of Minneapolis: Licenses, permits and inspections](https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/) 7. [Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry](https://www.dli.mn.gov/) 8. [NFPA: Home structure fires](https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/home-structure-fires) 9. [U.S. EPA: Protect your family from sources of lead](https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead) 10. [U.S. EPA: Protect your family from exposures to asbestos](https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-exposures-asbestos) ## Talk to someone Call (612) 471-0995 (+16124710995). Your call connects to an independent local contractor who speaks with you on that call.