Smoke Damage Information

11/3/2014 (Permalink)

A fire loss can result in complex damages because of the unique behavior of smoke. A trained professional should survey the loss site to determine the extent to which fire, smoke, heat, and moisture impacted building materials and contents.

SERVPRO of South Worcester knows smoke can penetrate various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor.  Their knowledge of building systems helps them investigate how far smoke damage may have spread. Here are some facts you may not know about smoke:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process. 

The Different Types of Smoke 

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of South Worcester will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

• Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
• Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood  Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
• Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire  Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
• Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs  While “puff backs” can create havoc for homeowners, SERVPRO of South Worcester can, in most cases, restore the contents and structure quickly.
• Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue Special loss situations require special care. SERVPRO of South Worcester is trained to handle even the toughest losses.