Smoke & Soot Facts

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

Here you can see one cleaning procedure SERVPRO uses to clean soot off of ceilings and walls.

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various surfaces within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a building.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
• Smoke flows around plumbing and electrical systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor within wall cavities.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. Different smoke causes different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Northwest Ventura County will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises and can even penetrate into attics.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Fire Damage Restoration Services

As each smoke and fire damage situation is very different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific needs.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call SERVPRO 805-507-5507