People often think that after the fire is put out, all the danger and any possibility of additional damage is over. What they don’t know is that fire damage is not the only thing you have to worry about when a fire occurs. There is also the issue of smoke damage, soot damage, and odor issues that need to be addressed. These problems should never be ignored or swept under the rug. These should be taken care of by experts who know what to do and how to properly handle them.
What is Soot and Smoke Damage?
Soot and smoke damage are two of the lesser evils people don’t know about when it comes to a fire. These two, while not as immediately damaging as the flames that come with fire, are actually just as problematic and destructive when not taken care of immediately. To help you understand what kind of problems these two can bring, here is a little primer on what these two are:
- Soot – This is the byproduct of a fire and is a fine black powder that can cause a lot of damage to floors, walls, furniture, and everything else that may have survived the flames. Soot is a greasy kind of powder that sticks to all surfaces and is more than just a dust-like substance. Soot is composed of chemicals and acids that can cause a lot of irreparable damage when left on any surface it touches.
- Smoke – This is another byproduct of a fire and, contrary to popular belief, it does not go away as soon as the fire is put out. Smoke odors and residue also stay behind and can cause damage to your home if it is not removed properly.
The damage that these two can bring is usually overshadowed by the damage that fire has wrought. This is why these are often neglected until it’s too late. Soot and smoke damage should be taken care of immediately to avoid costly repairs and the need to replace items that these have destroyed.
The Kind of Damage Smoke and Soot Can Bring
So, what kind of damage do smoke and soot bring to your home after a fire? Here are some of them:
- Since soot can be acidic, it can slowly eat at items that are susceptible to acid damage. These include fabrics, paintings, wood furniture, and many more.
- Soot can scratch the surface of polished wood and other similar polished items.
- Soot can also darken wallpaper and paint, causing the need for costly removal and replacement of these.
- Smoke can also discolor your walls, fabric-covered items, paintings, and other porous surfaces. While soot can darken these, smoke can cause a yellowish discoloration to occur if not taken care of.
Aside from these issues, you can also expect health problems to occur when these are not removed in the right way. Respiratory ailments, allergic reactions, and the like are all possible when smoke and soot damage is not taken care of professionally. This is why you need to get professionals to help you with smoke and soot damage removal.
We have qualified licensed contractors that can help you with these.