Is it safe to stay in a house with smoke damage?

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals follow all safety protocols when cleaning smoke damage.

In short, smoke damage after a house fire needs to be cleaned by professionals ASAP.

Fires can decimate your property and destroy all types of furniture. Even after the initial fire has been put out, it is still unsafe to enter the home due to smoke damage. 

If left untreated, smoke damage can potentially cause more harm than the initial fire. 

After a house fire, professionals should inspect the smoke damage before anyone else enters the household. It may seem safe to enter the house but, even if you cannot see any smoke, there still may be particles left behind walls. It is imperative that a smoke damage professional inspects the house and clears any remaining smoke particles.

Types of smoke damage

Smoke damage is any damage that is caused directly by the smoke, not the fire. It can fit into the most narrow areas such as wiring, pipes, and other small gaps. The composition of smoke damage varies from house to house, based on the items burnt. There are four primary smoke damage categories: dry smoke, protein residue, fuel/oil residue, and wet smoke. The types of things burnt determine their classification.

The burning of paper and wood generally causes dry smoke. It leaves behind small particles that are easily cleaned but that gets into small cracks and porous materials.

Protein residue is common in kitchen fires. It’s when organic materials are incinerated during low-heat fires.

Fuel/oil residue isn’t common in residential fires, but it is possible if the home is storing petroleum products. Cleaning this type of smoke damage is incredibly difficult, so its rare occurrence is a benefit.

Wet smoke is the product of burning rubber or plastic. This classification type is characterized by dark black smoke. This type of smoke damage is sticky and dense, making clean up near impossible without specialized equipment.

Also, after the removal of fire, walls and furniture are usually soaked with water. Removal of water from these areas is vital, and professionals can do this with dehumidifiers or air movers.

The professionals at SERVPRO have the best techniques to remove soot and smoke effectively from these surfaces. Our experts can promptly assess the amount of damage and lie out the best method for the complete removal of soot and smoke from your household.

How long does smoke damage last?

How long smoke damage lasts depends on how fast action is taken to clean it up. 

Certain items need to be saved within minutes to prevent permanent damage. Walls and furniture can become permanently stained if not treated by 1-2 days. 

The quicker you take action, the better. We take immediate action here at SERVPRO, arriving at your home within minutes of your call.

SERVPRO fire and smoke damage services

Smoke damage is no joke and should not be taken lightly; entering the household without proper protection or masks can prove deadly. The safest decision is to call professionals to inspect and assess the amount of damage done to the house. 

SERVPRO of Union, Towns, Fannin & Gilmer Counties team of experts can quickly assess, contain, and neutralize any smoke before further damage occurs. SERVPRO IICRC certified experts will carefully inspect all the rooms of the property to develop a proper plan. Give SERVPRO a call now and ensure the safety of both you and your loved ones!

Call us at (706) 896-1880