The Behavior of Smoke

11/22/2013 (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 Worcester knows smoke can penetrate various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor.  Our knowledge of building systems helps us investigate how far smoke damage may have spread.  Here are some facts that 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.

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, a SERVPRO of Worcester professional 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.