When people think of property damage, hard water marks, mold patches and cracks in the wall often come to mind. However, there’s one factor that many homeowners underestimate: smoke. Read on to learn what you can expect from professional smoke damage services.
Smoke Damage Restoration: What Is It?
Smoke restoration involves cleaning and decontaminating a property after severe smoke damage, typically from a fire. The technicians must address the structural and chemical health hazards smoke creates, which requires professional tools and protective gear.
Restoring a property from smoke damage is about far more than scrubbing walls and floors and applying a few coats of paint. It requires careful, strategic removal of items and appliances that can become toxic after smoke exposure, including roofing, flooring and even siding and plumbing. This is because many household items and structural elements are made of polyvinyl chloride (vinyl). When PVC burns, it releases highly toxic fumes that can be deadly.
Smoke restoration technicians recognize what objects pose a threat to your home and health long after the flames have been extinguished. This restoration service requires identifying the extent of damage, recognizing hazards and removing them thoroughly before performing cosmetic repairs.
Types of Smoke Damage
Smoke comes in several forms, including wet and dry. Wet smoke comes from low-heat fires, often stemming from burning rubber or plastic. Although the flames may not be as high or hot as other types of fires, the resultant smoke is thick, black and dangerous.
Wet smoke leaves a sticky residue that is hard to remove without professional equipment, and it’s dangerous to handle without proper protective gear. Dry smoke is typically caused by burning paper, wood or natural elements. It’s ashy and powdery, so it creates a dust-like layer on everything around it. The tiny granules of dry smoke can contaminate buildings and seep into porous surfaces, which makes expert restoration services necessary. Oil smoke is less common, but it still poses a serious risk. Its extremely thick, sticky and hard to handle. The strong odor and consistency can easily ruin buildings and furniture without proper removal techniques.
What Do I Have to Do for Smoke Restoration?
Your first step should be to call a certified smoke damage restoration expert. They will begin with a full inspection, assess what items and surfaces are salvageable and create a customized restoration plan. Trying to clean smoke damage without professional help can spread toxic residue or worsen hidden damage. Don’t shoulder the burden or risk further costs alone… Let an expert with the proper credentials, equipment and experience restore your property.
Smoke is tough, but our services are designed to remove any kind; contact J Brian Day for expert smoke damage restoration in Bellingham, MA.
