What Is Smoke Damage?

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

The best way to banish smoke odors is to use a specialized treatment.

Smoke Damage

Smoke damage is an additional type of damage that results from fire. Smoke may stain surfaces or contents and cause an undesirable odor to linger. Commercial fire damage restoration companies typically also offer smoke cleaning services. There are several aspects of damage caused by smoke that experts can eliminate.

Stains

Smoke may stain surfaces such as ceilings or walls, as well as the contents of a structure. A cleaning service may remove discoloration by using

• Chemical sponges
  
• Degreasing solution
  
• Content cleaning treatments
  
  

Surfaces may be wiped off, dried, and treated with a stain-blocking primer prior to repainting. If these measures are not taken, stains may resurface over time. Non-porous items stained by smoke may be immersed in cleaning solution and treated with ultrasonic waves. Delicate materials may benefit from dry-cleaning or foam treatments.

Smoke Particles

Residual particles of smoke in the air can cause odors to linger. The best way to eliminate particles of smoke is to use an air filtration system. Cleanup experts may recommend using air purifiers, HEPA filters, or HVAC scrubbers. These smoke cleaning methods will remove some particles. The smell may still persist, as particles can be as small as 0.01 micron and may not be captured by filtration equipment.

Smoke Odor

The best way to banish smoke odors is to use a specialized treatment. Restoration experts may recommend

• Ozone machines
  
• Hydroxyl generators
  
• Thermal fogging
  
• Vapor modification
  
  

Ozone and thermal fogging are the fastest and most effective methods, but both require evacuation. Hydroxyl and vapor treatments are slower, but can be completed while occupants remain in a structure.

A smoke cleaning strategy should account for every sign of damage. If staining and smoke odor are present at a commercial building in Barrington Hills, IL, the owner should contact a cleanup and restoration service that can provide all of the equipment necessary to get rid of smoke damage.