Dealing With Soot and Smoke Damage After a Fire

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

If your home experiences fire damage, you need help immediately to mitigate the damage. SERVPRO of Deerfield Beach is available 24/7 for you.

After A Fire, How Do You Deal With Soot And Smoke Damage?

If your home in Coconut Creek, FL, has sustained, the restoration process isn’t always cut and dry. Even if it is a small fire, smoke damage that isn’t properly addressed may seem like it never goes away. Understanding the effects of smoke and ensuring proper cleanup are essential in restoring your home back to “Like it Never Even Happened.”

Common Types of Damage

It’s important to know that not all smoke and soot damage is the same. Some types are easier to clean, while others can smear or permeate the porous materials in a home. There are four common types of damage:

Dry Smoke: Fast-burning, high-temperature fires produce this kind of smoke. It is usually a powdery texture that is easier to clean than other residues left behind. This type can find its way into hidden areas, leaving a long-lasting odor behind.

Protein Residue: Most associated with kitchen fires, it tends to be easily missed. Although it may not leave visible streaks behind, it has a strong odor and discolors surfaces.

Fuel or Oil Residue: This type is not often associated with a home fire, but it can happen if a furnace experiences a puffback. This residue is dense and hard to clean.

Wet Smoke: If the fire was smoldering at low heat, the damage left behind is considered wet smoke. It is also associated with burning rubber or plastic. It is especially odorous and leaves behind sticky, black smoke damage that smears if not properly cleaned.

Cleanup Process

While the damage left behind can feel overwhelming, there are professionals available to help that are trained on all forms and techniques of smoke cleaning. A fire damage and restoration specialist can focus on cleaning and restoring as much of your belongings as possible via an array of industrial techniques. From ozone machines to eliminate hidden odors to numerous methods of soot removal, the damage can be eliminated the right way.

Smoke damage is one of the many negatives of experiencing a fire. Having a better understanding of what you are facing and finding the right help makes it easier to deal with the cleanup process.