Lynnwood, WA Soot and Smoke Damage Cleaning Protocols

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

While a considerable amount of fire damage can be caused by the burning fire, not a lot of residents know that soot and smoke can create just as much or more damage as the burning. Smoke and soot blackens walls, ceiling, carpet, upholstery, porcelain and much more. Smoke causes damage because smoke is finely divided particulate matter and contains liquid droplets called “Aerosols”. Depending on what is being burnt during the fire determines the size, quantity and the character of the smoke particulates and Aerosols. The 5 different types of smoke (Causing Soot and Aerosol) are:

1. Wet Smoke: Usually has high levels of aerosols and other liquid components. Wet smoke often happens when it is in a closed environment and does not have a lot of oxygen. Restoration techniques to combat this type of fire could range from aggressive techniques to repainting.
2. Dry Smoke: This is caused by fast burning in oxygen rich environments. More oxygen produces a less pungent odor and deposit smaller particles. The residue from this fire is drier and much easier to clean that other smoke types.
3. Plastic/Rubber: These fires typically burn at low temperatures and produce a lot of lightweight particulate, smearing easily. Residue can be corrosive have a bad odor and can be removed with activated oxygen machines or deodorizing fires.
4. Protein-Based: From Meat and Poultry, leaving a light or invisible residue that requires wet cleaning and deodorization. This process can take a long amount of time to complete.
5. Fuel-Oil: Usually caused by malfunctioning oil burners that blow soot into the environment. This type of damage is referred to as “Puffback” and the residue could be either black or grey and any shape or size. Fuel and Oil smoke requires aggressive cleaning methods due to the oily soot, and deodorization takes a long time because oil and fuel has long lasting penetration effects.

Cleaning soot and smoke damage is a pain and should be left to the professionals to make sure it is cleaned carefully and correctly for health and safety purposes. SERVPRO technicians are trained to handle smoke and soot loss professionally with the highest grade of cleaning products. Call SERVPRO of Lynnwood at 425-774-1148 for assistance if you experience soot or smoke damage.