Deep clean and full repaint of a smoke-damaged flat in Elephant and Castle

Project overview

We were called to a two-bedroom flat in Elephant and Castle where the owner wanted a complete fresh start. The flat had been smoked in for decades, and every surface - walls, ceilings, windows, skirting boards, doors and even cupboard fronts - was coated in a dark, sticky layer of nicotine and tar. A normal repaint wasn't an option. The surfaces needed specialist cleaning and degreasing before any paint could even be considered.

The challenge

This wasn't just wear and tear. The tar residue had built up so thickly over the years that it felt almost greasy to the touch. If we'd painted straight over it, nothing would have stuck - the new paint would have peeled or bled through yellow stains within weeks. The owner wanted a genuinely fresh, clean finish, not a temporary cover-up. The job required patience, the right cleaning products, and a methodical approach.

What we did

Step 1 – Deep cleaning and degreasing

We started by washing every single surface with a heavy-duty sugar soap solution, working in small sections and changing our water constantly to avoid spreading the residue around. Walls and ceilings needed two or even three passes before the rinse water ran clear. The woodwork - skirting boards, window frames, door frames - had built-up grime in every crevice, so we scrubbed them by hand with stiff brushes and degreaser. The cupboard doors in the living area and bedroom were also stripped of their sticky coating. This stage alone took several days, but it was the most important part of the whole job.

Step 2 – Priming

Once the surfaces were clean and fully dry, we applied a high-adhesion stain-blocking primer to every wall and ceiling. This was essential to lock in any remaining nicotine residue and prevent yellow bleed-through. The primer also gave us a clean, even base for the topcoats.

Step 3 – Painting

After the primer cured, we painted all ceilings with a fresh white matt emulsion to brighten the flat. Walls got two coats of a durable, washable matt paint in a light neutral tone - chosen to make the relatively compact two-bedroom flat feel more open and airy. For the woodwork - skirting boards, door frames, window frames, the windows themselves, and every cupboard front - we used a satin finish that's easy to wipe clean and resistant to scuffs.

Step 4 – Finishing touches

We also repainted all internal doors (both bedroom doors, the bathroom door, and the kitchen door) as well as the cupboard doors in the hallway and bedrooms. Even the window sills and the inside of the window recesses were brought back to life.

Before and after results

The difference was dramatic. Before we started, the flat felt dark, heavy and frankly unwelcoming - you could almost smell the years of smoke even with the windows open. After the deep clean, primer and fresh paint, it felt like a completely different property. The walls looked clean and bright, the woodwork looked crisp, and the flat finally smelled neutral. The owner couldn't believe it was the same space.

Why preparation matters

This project is a perfect example of why you can't skip preparation. In flats with smoke damage or any kind of ingrained grime, a standard repaint will fail every time. Proper degreasing and a quality stain-blocking primer are non-negotiable. We guarantee our work, so we don't cut corners - even when it means spending extra days on cleaning before a single drop of paint is applied.

Before

After