The damage a fire causes remains even long after it is put out. Smoke and soot have acidic compositions that could result in long-lasting harm to your home, belongings, and family. Smoke can corrode metal and damage marble and glass, as well as discolor porous materials such as clothing, drywall, floors, and fabric. Additionally, odors from smoke damage smell unpleasant and are dangerous to human health.
The experts at ServiceMaster discuss the different types of smoke damage and how they can be harmful.
Health Hazards of Smoke Damage
Smoke can contain tiny, microscopic particles that, when inhaled, can cause lung damage. Those most vulnerable to the effects of smoke damage include children, teenagers, and the elderly. The following symptoms may be experienced by those who inhale smoke:
- Asthma attack
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Fast heartbeat
- Headaches
- Runny nose
- Scratchy throat
- Stinging eyes
- Wheezing
Smoke has an acidic composition which causes discoloration and damage to surfaces. The same acidic content can result in severe skin irritation in humans.
Three Different Types of Smoke
Each type of smoke presents a different hassle, but all three result in long-term property damage if immediate and proper solutions aren’t applied.
Wet Smoke
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This type of smoke is produced by low-heat, smoldering fires.
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Material left unburned by the low-heat fire emerges into the air as thick, black, sooty smoke, containing a very harsh odor and sticking readily to surfaces.
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Wet smoke settling on surfaces leaves a very smeary remainder which is difficult to remove, causing invisible damage and smells.
Dry Smoke
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This type of smoke results from hot, fast-burning fires from a natural-material source such as cotton fabric, paper, or wood.
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While dry smoke is acidic by nature, it leaves a powdery residue that is easier to remove compared to wet or oily smoke.
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However, dry smoke's powdery remainder can easily get into cracks and be absorbed by porous materials, causing hidden smoke damage, stains, smells, etching (acidic damage), and discoloration.
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Dry smoke can cause abrasive damage to glass, marble, and soft surfaces which are semi-porous by nature.
Oily Smoke
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This type of smoke, also called "petroleum residue", stems from fuel-sourced fires which produce dangerous and toxic fumes.
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Fuel-sourced fumes typically cause confusion, dizziness, nausea, nose and throat irritation, vomiting and more.
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Oily smoke is typically produced by printing companies, auto repair garages and other establishments which deal with flammable fuels daily.
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You may be at risk of oily smoke damage if your building operates a furnace. Puffback from furnaces that don't ignite correctly blows smoke and soot into the surrounding area, resulting in a very dense residue which is usually sticky, stinky and difficult to clean.
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Protein smoke is a type of oily smoke which often originates from cooking protein-rich foods. It can easily cover large areas and penetrate porous items such as clothing, carpets and tiles. Protein smoke will also coat non-porous surfaces with a sticky, foul-smelling residue.
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Cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires, which makes protein smoke a common occurrence in homes especially during the holidays when a lot of cooking activity is involved.
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Since protein smoke is hard to see, removing it would require professional smoke removal services.
How to Deal With Smoke Damage
All three types of smoke are harmful, which makes proper and professional removal important. Untreated smoke damage causes lasting damage and health concerns, so contact a restoration and cleanup company right away.
At ServiceMaster by Wright, our comprehensive fire and smoke damage restoration process includes:
Emergency Fire and Smoke Services
- Board-up or tarping
- Furnace or A/C inspection
- Turn off electrical power
- Debris removal
- Emergency water damage mitigation
- Emergency corrosion mitigation
Odor Control Services
- Air scrubbing for smoke and/or odor
- Thermal fogging
- Ozone
Restoration Services
- Separation of items we cannot clean or restore
- Restoration of laundry/dry cleaning
- Carpet and furniture cleaning
- Ceiling, wall, and woodwork cleaning, polishing, and deodorizing
- Air scrubbing for smoke and/or odor
- Thermal fogging
- Confined space cleaning
- Hard surface floor cleaning
Hard and Soft Contents Restoration
- Hand washing and drying
- Ultrasonic cleaning
- Ozone room
- Furniture and upholstery cleaning
Reconstruction Services
Contact Us for Smoke Damage Removal in Fort Myers, Florida
ServiceMaster by Wright is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (239) 431-9947 to respond to smoke damage removal emergencies in Fort Myers, Florida and the surrounding areas
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FREE inspections and estimates to both residential and commercial properties
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Certified by the ,Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
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Licensed and fully bonded restoration specialists
Don't know what to do next? We do. Contact us today.
To discover more about fire, soot and smoke damage solutions, connect with us online or visit our main office at 6451 Arc Way, Fort Myers, FL 33966. You may also check our website to find the location nearest to you.