Smoke Damage can negatively impact a wide range of materials. It infiltrates deeply into porous materials, leaving a powdery residue and lingering odor. It also causes acidic soot that can cause metal surfaces, like large appliances, to rust and corrode over time.
Paper, paint, and many other nonporous materials can withstand significant smoke damage, but only when cleaned quickly.
When a fire breaks out, it burns everything to a crisp and ruins it beyond repair. But even after the fire is put out and you’ve safely evacuated, your home can still suffer from smoke damage that threatens its safety and integrity.
Smoke damage is caused by a combination of gases, chemicals and particles produced when something burns. The smoke particles can stain surfaces and fabrics, as well as cause structural damage to walls, ceilings, wood, and metal components of your home or business. They can also create a lingering odor that can be difficult to eliminate.
As a result, the best time to take action in the case of smoke damage is immediately after the fire is extinguished. This is because the longer smoke and soot remain on a surface, the more damaging they become. For example, synthetic fibers and porous materials such as wood furniture, wallpaper, and plaster can become permanently discolored if left unattended. Metal surfaces can corrode over time as the acidic residue from soot penetrates their interiors and pits their exteriors.
Another type of smoke damage is caused by soot that seeps into porous items such as curtains and carpets. It can leave stains that are hard to remove, and it can penetrate into the fabric of these items and damage them beyond repair. This type of smoke damage can also cause a musty odor that can persist even after the surface is cleaned.
Dry smoke is a form of smoke damage that occurs when a fire burns paper and wood products. This type of smoke is powdery and can easily seep into fabrics, upholstery, and other porous items. It can also eat away at wood, metal, and plaster surfaces. This can cause corrosion, warping, and damage to wiring and HVAC systems in your home or business.
In the event of a fire, you need to call a professional right away to assess and clean your property for smoke damage. They can help you determine which items are salvageable and which should be thrown out, as well as assist you in filing an insurance claim.
Odor
When people think of smoke damage, they tend to focus on the physical harm caused by fire. But, the lingering effects of smoke can be even more problematic than burnt walls or stained carpets. While it’s easy to clean away soot and charred wood, the residue left by smoke can continue corroding surfaces over time if not addressed promptly. It also leaves odors that are very difficult to get rid of, even with professional cleaning and deodorization techniques.
Protein residue smoke is created when organic matter – such as proteins and fats – evaporate during low-heat fires, such as those caused by cooking mishaps. This type of smoke can be especially troublesome because the odors it creates are reminiscent of rotting food and can permeate an entire house. This residue can also discolor painted, varnished, and other finished surfaces.
This is a type of smoke damage that is often overlooked by homeowners, and the odor can persist long after fire has been extinguished. It’s important to have a professional address this problem as soon as possible, because it can cause serious health problems, including respiratory difficulties and eye irritation.
When you’re dealing with this type of smoke damage, it’s best to use a sponge that is specifically designed for soot removal, and you should wear personal protective equipment, such as a mask and gloves. Be sure to start at the bottom of a room, and work your way up to the ceiling, so you don’t drip soot onto other areas.
Another important thing to remember is that smoke can cling to porous materials like carpets and furniture, so it’s vital to act quickly and get it cleaned as soon as you can. And, be sure to use a vacuum with a hose attachment that can remove any dirt and debris that has gotten into the cracks and crevices of your floors.
Health Issues
Smoke damage is not only unsightly and damaging to materials, but can also pose significant health risks. Respiratory problems are one of the most common issues that smoke can cause, even after a fire has been extinguished. This is because lingering smoke residue and particles continue to irritate the respiratory system, making breathing more difficult. Sinus problems may also arise from persistent irritation caused by smoke, causing pain and discomfort. For those with pre-existing pulmonary conditions, smoke can cause more serious complications.
Skin problems are another potential issue that can be caused by smoke. Soot and smoke residue can irritate the skin, leading to redness, itching, and even dryness in extreme cases. The skin is especially vulnerable to these effects because the irritants cannot be washed away, and the irritation can escalate into serious skin problems that may require medical attention.
Eyes are another area of the body that can be affected by smoke, and this can lead to pain and discomfort in the form of burning sensations. It can also lead to itchiness and watering, as well as dryness of the eyes. If these symptoms are prolonged, it can lead to permanent eye damage and severe irritation.
Chemicals found in smoke can also affect the respiratory system, and some of these chemicals may be carcinogenic. These compounds include benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This can cause various health issues including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even death in extreme cases.
Smoke can also corrode metal surfaces and weaken wood structures, leading to further damage if not properly addressed. In addition, if smoke seeps into porous materials like fabrics and carpeting, it can leave behind a strong and unpleasant odor.
The best way to prevent or mitigate the damage that can be caused by smoke is to act quickly. A team of trained professionals should be brought in as soon as possible to begin cleaning the home or building, and to assess the level of smoke damage. This will allow the team to work effectively and efficiently in a safe manner to restore the property back to its original state.
Insurance Claims
Seeing your home or business engulfed in flames is one of the worst nightmares any property owner can face. The destruction caused by the fire is a major concern, but smoke damage can be just as severe and may go unnoticed for some time after the event. As such, it is essential that a full inspection is done by an expert after a fire to ensure that all damages are adequately compensated for by the insurance company.
Many homeowners file an insurance claim to cover the costs of repairing and cleaning their property following a fire. Most homeowner’s insurance policies include coverage for personal property protection, which includes compensation for items that were damaged by the smoke as well as other sources of damage. Some policies even have special provisions to cover additional living expenses if the property is made uninhabitable by the smoke or other damage.
The problem with a claim for damage from smoke is that it is often difficult to determine the extent of the damage since smoke can discolor tile, marble, drywall and other surfaces. Additionally, it can infiltrate porous materials such as curtains and carpeting. Moreover, it can leave a permanent odour in the structure and furnishings that will linger for weeks.
Insurance companies hire outside vendors to perform testing and prepare reports on the property as well as do the actual cleaning and restoration work. Unfortunately, these experts are not always properly trained in the areas of smoke damage. This can result in the vendor preparing a report that underestimates or overlooks the extent of the damage.
A skilled public adjuster can help to make sure that all smoke damage is properly accounted for in the insurance settlement. He or she will conduct a thorough walk-through of the property and carefully examine all surfaces, paying special attention to colder and darker surfaces where smoke damage is most likely to occur. The public adjuster will also carefully inspect items and photograph or video record them for documentation purposes.