When a devastating fire occurs in a residential or business area, most people often worry about the damage it may bring to their property. They don’t give much thought to the effects of smoke and soot that come with it, which shouldn’t be the case.
According to experts, although fire can be very destructive, smoke and soot can also cause damage not only to your property but to your health as well. And without an immediate fire damage restoration and soot removal, their effects can quickly become permanent.
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What Exactly Is Soot?
Soot is a byproduct of incomplete burning or combustion of organic matter such as coal, fabrics, foams, oil, paint, plastics, wood, and wool. It doesn’t only occur after a fire but also when you have poorly ventilated fireplaces and defective furnaces. Indoor smoking, cooking, and using candles can also cause soot particles to form.
Different Types of Soot
There are various kinds of soot that may occur on your property. Here are some of them:
Dry Soot
Also known as dry smoke residues, dry soot usually occurs when there’s an extremely hot fire. It’s rich in oxygen and is usually powdery.
Dry soot is said to be the easiest to clean among all types. However, it can still be hard to clean on your own as the particles are very fine and can hide within cracks and surfaces that contain pores that are permeable to air and fluids. It also doesn’t smear unlike wet or oily soot.
Oily Soot
This type of soot is also called oily smoke residue. As the name implies, oily soot occurs when fuel, grease, or plastic are burned.
In many households, oily soot is usually caused by a puff back inside the burner chamber of a furnace. You are at risk of such a problem when your gas or oil furnace is not properly maintained.
Protein Soot
This type of soot is usually caused by kitchen fires. So, when you cook, there’s a high possibility of protein soot occurrence.
You might not notice protein soot buildup right away since it is virtually invisible to the naked eye. But you’ll know it lingers in your property when you sniff the pungent smell of meat or grease in the air. It also causes discoloration in your paints, which can be very expensive to clean.
Wet Soot
Also known as wet smoke residue, wet soot often occurs when there’s a fire that burns low and slow. It is typically composed of burnt oil, plastic, and rubber particles.
You’ll know you have wet soot on your property as it produces a very strong odor compared to other types of residue. It also smears easily when you run your finger on a soot-covered surface.
Different Types of Damage Caused by Soot
Soot can cause damage not only to your property but to your health. To understand this further, here are some types you may encounter:
Staining
Soot can stain the surfaces in your home. What’s worst is that the effect can be permanent if you do not address it immediately. It’s also very hard to clean on your own, so it’s best to ask for help from professionals.
Unwanted Odor
Soot produces unusual smells. Such scents can make your home an uncomfortable place to live in. The odor particles can also lodge on to the materials of carpeting, clothing, and upholstery. Most of the time, you’ll need a professional to deodorize your fabrics.
Corrosion
When you have soot at home, your property is at risk of metal corrosion. It can damage your doorknobs, kitchen appliances, and pipes as it is highly acidic.
Health Problems
Exposure to soot can cause many health problems such as asthma, breathing issues, bronchitis, cancer, and coronary heart disease.
Contact an Expert in Soot Removal Service Today!
Removing soot particles on your own can be both difficult and dangerous, especially when you don’t have the right tools and equipment. So, it would be best to reach out to a full-service disaster restoration company. In case you have more questions or clarifications about soot, their experts will surely be more than willing to give you the answers you need.