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Damage from the actual fire, the heat, soot, and water are only part of the struggle. Smoke damage is equally as harmful, even in areas where the fire didn’t touch, and water wasn’t used. Smoke permeates the entire structure and all the porous materials. Additionally, corrosive residues form when smoke and humidity combine. Further damage is caused by these residues to the surfaces in your home that were never in contact with the fire itself.
Fires don’t burn evenly, and fuel sources sometimes don’t completely burn. This incomplete combustion results in the formation of soot, which is small particles that settle out and deposit a dark powdery substance on things in the burn area. When not dealt with quickly and professionally, soot can become permanent. Our quick response will mitigate the damage to your remaining belongings and salvageable goods.
The most damaging form of soot comes from an oxygen-rich, high temperature fire, from fuel sources that are fast burning, such as wood, paper, and highly combustible materials. Often confused with ash, this form of soot is fine in texture, making it easy to clean from smooth non-porous surfaces but a real challenge to eradicate on porous materials. It’s also very dangerous to breathe.
This form of soot, often coming from plastic materials, mixes with moisture from or due to fire and can be sticky, smearing on surfaces when it’s wiped. Wet soot is formed when the heat from a fire is at a low temperature and burns slowly. The moisture in the soot releases a strong odor and is a challenge to clean.
Oily soot comes from the burning of grease, fuels/accelerants, and burning plastics. In the north, it is commonly associated with puff backs from your furnace heating oil. Due to its oily nature, it also smears easily and is difficult to remove.
Light in color and often found in kitchen fires, protein soot comes from burnt foods and organic materials found in and around a kitchen. This soot is difficult to see on its own but can discolor paint.
