Smoke comes in different forms; here’s what to know so you’ll know how to address any damage.
A house fire can cause greater or lesser damage. In some cases, the home may still be intact enough to repair rather than tear down completely. A house would have undergone different types of damage that a restoration professional could address: fire damage, soot damage, and smoke damage. Your insurance company will definitely want to know what your home’s situation is. While you should get the exact report from North Arundel Contracting if you live in Maryland, it may be helpful to know the five types of smoke damage.
Wet Smoke Damage
Wet smoke results from the burning of plastic and rubber items. It comes about through low heat and slow-burning fires. This type of smoke forms a thick, sticky, wet residue; it can be difficult to clean it off of surfaces due to its tendency to smear and stain. However, a professional will have the tools to take care of it the right way.
Dry Smoke Damage
Dry smoke damage comes from fast-burning, high-heat fires from burning wood or paper. It is not surprising that it is a common type of smoke in house fires. Dry smoke is powdery and will not smear, but it has its own annoying trait of particles getting deep into porous surfaces like fabric. One good example of this phenomenon would be the smell of a bonfire on someone’s clothing.
Fuel/Oil Residue
As the name might suggest, this type of smoke damage comes from burning fuel or oil. It is less common to house fires because people typically store flammable liquids in garages or garden sheds. If a fire occurs in either of those places due to fuel or oil stored there, however, you’ll know it produces this hazardous smoke. You might also suffer fuel/oil smoke damage if your oil furnace malfunctions and produces a “puffback.”
Protein Residue
A protein residue doesn’t have to result from a fire at all, but can come from your everyday cooking. Protein smoke damage is not as apparent as other types; you can identify it as a discoloration of the walls or ceiling, which appears far less problematic than the thick blackness of other types. Still, protein residue leaves a pungent odor that can last for years, so it is best to hire a professional to remove it.
Smoke Webs
An interesting phenomenon, one might see black spider webs in their corners or on the walls of their house after a fire. These ionized smoke particle strings come from burning plastics and other synthetic materials.
QUESTIONS? NORTH ARUNDEL CONTRACTING IS HERE TO HELP!
If you have more questions about preventing fires in your home, North Arundel Contracting is here to help you out. Our trained professionals can teach you everything there is to know about emergency and general contracting services. Call us any time at 410-766-2855 or reach us by fax at 410-553-2367. Feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. For after-hours emergencies, call us at 410-541-0328. For tips, tricks, and to see what we have been up to, be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.