The aftermath of a fire is devastating, and even after a fire has been put out, there’s plenty of damage left. Much of this damage comes from the lingering effects of soot and smoke.
Soot and smoke are as damaging as flames because they spread much further than flames do, Rebecca Serratos, a Restoration Project Coordinator at Paul Davis of Northeast Indiana, says.
“The smoke contains toxic gases that come from both the fire and from the materials that are burned; including plastics, chemicals, and flammable materials,” Serratos says. “Smoke is also challenging to remediate because the microscopic particles can penetrate areas that are unseen, such as the space behind cabinets.”
Here’s what you need to know about how soot and smoke can be just as damaging as flames and what you can do about it.
BASICS OF SOOT AND SMOKE DAMAGE
Every material is susceptible to soot and smoke damage after a fire, Serratos says, but porous materials readily absorb the smoke, which creates challenges with deodorization. Common materials in a home that are porous include carpet, drywall, wallpaper, and leather.
“Many people are surprised to learn that odors resulting from soot and smoke damage are more prominent in environments with higher temperature and humidity,” Serratos says. “In a cooler environment with no humidity, a homeowner may not detect an item’s odor. However, once the item is in a warmer, more humid environment, the odor becomes apparent very quickly.”
Typically, non-porous items may not be as heavily affected, but the impact of each fire is different. Different types of smoke damage include dry smoke, wet smoke, protein residue, and fuel or oil residue, all of which are best handled by experts.
ACTING QUICKLY AFTER A FIRE
Once the fire is fully extinguished, open doors and windows to increase airflow if the weather allows for it. Serratos also recommends changing your furnace filter if your furnace is operational.
In more severe fires, it might not be possible to lessen the impact of smoke and soot immediately following a fire, she says, but there are ways to prevent soot and smoke damage from getting worse. Don’t turn on electronics that haven’t been tested or attempt to clean damaged surfaces.
“It is always recommended to call an expert for an evaluation before homeowners try to remediate the damage on their own,” Serratos says. “Improper cleaning, touching walls with bare hands, and using the wrong chemicals can cause irreversible damage to certain surfaces.”
Smoke damage can become permanent on some surfaces within hours, making it important to act quickly after a fire to address soot and smoke damage.
“The longer the smoke and soot damage continues, the more difficult it can be to clean and remediate both the structure and personal items,” Serratos says. “Therefore, it is important to act as quickly as possible to mitigate the damage caused by soot and smoke.”
PREVENTING FIRES
Whether you’re currently dealing with fire remediation or haven’t had a fire before, prevention in the future is key.
“The best prevention is to have a plan before a fire happens,” Serratos says.
Homeowners should make sure enough smoke detectors are installed in the home, she says, and they should be tested regularly. Having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen within reach above the stove is another important measure homeowners can take.
“Many experts also recommend closing bedroom doors at night to slow the growth of a fire,” Serratos says. “However, safety needs to be the number one concern.”
Another way to prevent fires is to turn off all appliances when you leave your house, keep lighters and matches out of reach of children, remove knobs from the stove and oven if pets or children can reach them, and regularly clean your chimney.
“In addition, people should not leave flammable materials on the stove or on top of registers, should not leave space heaters unattended, and should take care to ensure they are not overloading breakers and electrical circuits,” Serratos says.
REMEDIATION IS KEY
“Smoke and soot reach beyond what any flame can touch, and it can be easy to underestimate the damage they cause,” Serratos says. “Before trying to clean everything up on your own, call an expert in the industry, like Paul Davis, and have the peace of mind knowing the damage has been remediated properly.”
Even if a fire looks small, experts can properly assess the damage and give you solutions for odor control and next steps.
If you’ve had a fire, don’t delay in calling the Difference Makers at Paul Davis of Northeast Indiana. Our team of compassionate professionals are available 24/7 to work with you. Call 260-436-7510 to speak with a restoration professional.
