Smoke Damage

Smoke, a harmful mixture of chemicals and toxins, is dangerous to your health and your property, and adds to the damage done to your property as the result of a fire.

Inhaling smoke is very damaging to your health, which is why fire departments help vent smoke from buildings.

Once the fire department has put out the fire and vented the building, their job is complete, and there is often a large mess left behind, including discoloration and corrosion of materials as well as pungent odors that may be difficult to eliminate from your home and belongings.

At this point, fire damage restoration Maryland professionals should be called for help. This clean-up job requires special tools and knowledge to prevent further damage and to restore the property.

The extent of smoke damage and the ease with which it is cleaned away is often based on the type of smoke in your home: wet, dry, protein and fuel-oil.

Wet smoke comes from low heat and is difficult to clean. Dry smoke results after a fast burning fire at high temperatures. Protein smoke is invisible, but discolors varnishes and has an extremely foul odor. Fuel-oil soot smoke is a result of a furnace malfunction.

Before the restoration professionals arrive, there are several things you can do to start the smoke removal process. Immediate action is important since many items in your home can be damaged by smoke, including electronics, clothing, upholstery and draperies.

First, open windows and turn on fans, if possible, to air out the home and begin to eliminate the remaining odor. This can also help dry out your carpets and other upholstered items that may have been water damaged by extinguishing the fire.

These tips will speed up the restoration process, too:

Do

• Brush off or vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.
  
  
  
  
  
• Discard open food packages.
  
  
  
  
  
• Take clothing to a laundry specializing in smoke damage restoration.
  
  
  
  
  
• Wipe residue from kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
  
  
  
  
  
• Relocate pets to a clean environment.
  
  
  
  
  

Don’t

• Attempt to wash walls or paintings because improper techniques could do more damage.
  
  
  
  
  
• Use electrical appliances until cleared to do so by the restoration company in Maryland.
  
  
  
  
  
• Use ceiling fans because they could short circuit if the ceiling is wet.