Smoke and Soot Restoration
If you put together a shortlist of things you never want to see in your home, a fire will probably rank at or near the top. As it rages, a fire endangers human lives and thousands of dollars’ worth of property. Long after a fire has been put out, it can still threaten your household and the people living in it with the smoke damage that it leaves behind.
A lingering odor, blackened surfaces and malfunctioning electronics are definite signs of smoke damage. In a lot of cases, you’ll need specialized help from a fire damage restoration service provider to get things back to normal. Our preferred companies offer smoke odor removal and home restoration services in your area. Our companies have the tools, knowledge and experience that it takes to eliminate all traces of smoke in your home or building in the wake of a fire.
The Hidden Dangers of Smoke Damage
As fire consumes wood, textiles, synthetic material and plastics, it creates thick plumes of smoke that spread throughout the burning structure. Smoke is a by-product of incomplete combustion and it carries gaseous chemicals as well as particulate matter (soot). As the smoke travels through your home, the chemicals and soot it carries cling to walls, floors, ceilings, clothes, furniture and appliances. Even after cleaning up with traditional materials, unseen traces of smoke remain locked deep in tiny crevices and fibers of whatever it came in contact with.
Smoke is usually caustic in nature. Little by little, its residue can eat away at the surfaces where it landed. It can also be toxic and irritating, which makes it a threat to humans and pets who move back into a building after a fire.
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Below is a list of damages that smoke can create if not completely removed after a fire:
- Corrosion of metal house parts – Iron can weaken with rust when constantly exposed to water. When a fire occurs and caustic substances are added to the mix, the rusting process becomes even more rapid.
- Appliance Failures – Appliances have plenty of sensitive metal parts in them. When smoke passes through their ventilation and exhaust panels, it can come in contact with printed circuit boards and other critical components. Over time, the soot and chemicals aid corrosion, destroying your electronics from within.
- Damage to artwork – Artwork can suffer profound damage when exposed to thick smoke and left untreated afterwards. Paintings can be ruined by paint discoloration. The same goes for stone sculptures which can develop color irregularities over time. Smoke and soot’s corrosive particles can also get trapped in tiny pores on the surfaces of sculptures, weakening them and making them more susceptible to chipping and breakage.
- Weaker woodwork – Wooden floors, walls, ceilings and furniture can degenerate under the corrosive influence of soot and smoke particles left behind after a fire.
- Respiratory disorders – Coughing and breathing difficulties can arise as a result of prolonged exposure to lingering smoke and soot. Children and senior citizens are more at risk to suffer from this effect. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma may also find themselves having more trouble breathing than usual.
- Skin irritation – Itching, redness and allergy attacks can happen when soot gets in contact with sensitive skin. While floors and walls can sometimes look clean, very tiny particles may be hidden in hard-to-reach areas. Similarly, soot can circulate in the air days after a house has been cleaned up in a post-fire scenario.
- Psychological and emotional stress – House fires can be very traumatic to those who witness them up close. The lingering smell of smoke can serve as a constant reminder of the unfortunate events to those who experienced it, giving them additional stress long after the fire has happened.
Where There's Smoke, There's Soot.
Soot is a fine powder carbon residue that is sticky and can easily stain carpets, furniture, and other household items. Beyond cosmetic damages to personal belongings, soot inhalation is potentially very dangerous and can cause severe respiratory issues.
To remove the smell of smoke and any remnants of soot from your household, rely on a professional fire damage restoration service. Our companies have courteous and professional representatives who are ready to take your call at any time.
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