Tips for Dealing with Soot Damage
Soot damage can continue to spread even after the fire is out.
Soot is the black residue left behind on fireplace walls and charcoal grills after the flames go out. A house fire creates a great deal of it because wood, plaster, natural fibers, synthetics, foams, and plastics all create soot when they burn and most homes are full of these materials. Soot sticks to any surface that’s cooler than the fire itself, usually walls, ceilings, and other hard surfaces.
Different types of fires produce different types of soot, which require different cleaning methods, so it’s best to leave it to the professionals. High oxygen fires produce soot that is best cleaned with a dry cleaning sponge or dry chemical sponge. Low oxygen fires can be cleaned with a wet sponge. However, if soot from a high oxygen fire is cleaned with a wet sponge, it can smear and cause even more damage. If you do decide to vacuum up soot before the professionals arrive, do not use an ordinary household vacuum cleaner, which is not designed for that type of cleaning. Use a shop vac or other types of a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner. Always hold the nozzle about a half-inch away from the surface that’s being cleaned. Making contact with the soot can smear it and make an even bigger mess.
While waiting for experts to arrive, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Never touch anything during your initial inspection, to avoid spreading the soot.
- Wear gloves, a mask, and long sleeves and pants when working in a soot-covered room to protect your skin and lungs.
- Keep the room ventilated to minimize breathing in soot particles and allow smoky smells to dissipate.
- Remove as much debris as possible to allow for easy cleanup.
quality fire damage restoration services
If you’ve just experienced a fire at your home or business, call the professionals at RestorationMaster We can start work within three hours of your initial call. We begin with a structural evaluation of the building, including the roof, walls, flooring, and insulation. Smoke and water damage restoration is included in our fire cleanup service.
Soot damage cleanup prices vary, depending on the extent of the damage and how far it has spread in the home. According to HomeAdvisor.com, the national average in 2015 was $5,338.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.
