Most people are understandably afraid of fire. It’s dangerous, unpredictable, and extremely difficult to put out once it gets going. But did you know that most fire-related deaths aren’t actually caused by the flames themselves?
Statistically, smoke from a fire is actually three times more deadly than the flames. Not only is it extremely harmful to your respiratory system, fire smoke can cause severe property damages. Without proper San Diego fire damage restoration, smoke can endanger your health and belongings long after the fire that produced it has been put out.
In previous articles, we explained what fire damage is and how it occurs, and outlined the process of fire damage restoration. Now we’ll explain the ins and outs of smoke damage and how to deal with it after it occurs. Keep reading to learn more.
Can smoke damage be removed?
It can. However, how you go about it will depend on which kind of smoke damage it is. This is because smoke behaves differently depending on which type of fire produced it. Most residential and commercial fires are caused by cooking mishaps, electrical malfunctions, smoking, and accidents.
Some especially dangerous types of smoke damage include:
Dry smoke
Particularly hot fires that spread rapidly through a property (usually fueled by wood or paper) produce dry smoke. This sort of smoke leaves behind a fine, powdery residue that can get into narrow crevices and seriously damage a property’s structural components and electrical systems.
Protein smoke
Burning organic matter produces protein smoke, which makes this kind of smoke common during cooking-related fires. Due to being mostly invisible, protein smoke-related damage can be especially difficult to remove.
Wet smoke
These fumes are characterized by an unpleasant odor and are typically produced by burning plastic or rubber products. This thick, black smoke is unusually greasy, which can make it very damaging for your property.
Fuel smoke
As its name implies, fuel smoke is caused by burning oil, petroleum, or other fuel. It normally occurs in garages, gas pumps, and other locations that contain significant amounts of petroleum. It has an especially foul smell and is exceedingly hard to clean off. Any fabrics it touches are almost invariably ruined.
How do you clean up smoke damage after a fire?
Although it may not seem complex on its face, fire and smoke remediation is a specialized task that has to be performed correctly in order to prevent not only permanent property damage, but also severe health risks.
Furthermore, your insurance company may refuse to pay up if they feel you haven’t treated the damage in the most effective and professional manner possible. For these reasons, unless you have a background in smoke and fire damage remediation, it’s always better to leave this task to the professionals.
Things to avoid doing after smoke damage include:
- Vacuuming upholstery or curtains with a standard upright vacuum. This will just force the soot and other chemicals in deeper.
- Not correctly separating the damaged area from the rest of the home before starting the cleanup.
- Postponing smoke damage remediation instead of dealing with it immediately.
Who should I call when I need comprehensive San Diego fire damage restoration?
Are you in need of highly-trained and professionally-equipped fire damage remediation specialists who can restore your home after a flood or fire? Or maybe a pipe in your kitchen has just burst and you need to have emergency plumbers at your 4S Ranch property ASAP?
If this is your situation, you can’t go wrong by contacting Risk Free Serv. We’re a reputable mold, water, smoke, and fire remediation company that can also help you file your insurance claim and deal with your insurance company. Call us today.