What Is Considered Smoke Damage
When a fire breaks out, the smoke and soot produced can cause extensive damage to your property. Smoke damage is often not immediately visible, but it can cause long-term problems if not addressed. In this blog post, we will discuss what is considered smoke damage.
Smoke Damage
Smoke damage occurs when a fire has been extinguished, but byproducts of the fire, namely smoke, have permeated various surfaces within an environment. From walls and upholstery to electronics and fabrics, smoke damage can range depending on the duration of the fire as well as the type and intensity of the heat source.
The primary issue that smoke damage presents is air quality. Smoke produces toxic particulates which can linger in a home or structure and begin to negatively impact inhabitants without proper care and remediation. Smoke damage therefore represents more than just an aesthetic nuisance; it often contains dangerous health hazards that must be handled appropriately in order to minimize the associated risk.
What Does Smoke Damage Look Like
Smoke damage can look different depending on the type of material it’s affecting. Smoke will discolor finished surfaces, usually taking on a yellowish-brown hue that is difficult to remove without professional cleaning services. Unfinished surfaces are often covered with a greasy film that, over time, becomes increasingly more difficult to remove unless the affected items are handled properly.
In extreme cases of smoke damage, there can be a corrosive layer of acid that significantly weakens the material it bonds with. Even cleanly appearing surfaces may have hidden layers of smoke beneath due to its particulate nature–so it is important to always consider smoke damage as potential threat to your property even if you do not see obvious signs of it right away.
What To Throw Away After Smoke Damage
After suffering from smoke damage, it is important to get rid of materials that have been contaminated by the fire. This can range from furniture and carpets to clothes and bedding. While some items may appear unaffected by the fire, smoke odors can be absorbed deep into fabrics and will continue to linger even if cleaned.
Therefore, instead of wasting money on chemical treatments for smoke odor removal in these items, it is best just to throw them away. Anything made of plastic material also should be discarded as the heat from a fire can cause plastic components to become brittle over time and may pose a hazard to those inside the home or building.
It is important to carefully assess all affected materials after a smoke-damaged event in order to eliminate any potential risks down the road.
Is It Safe To Stay In A House With Smoke Damage
Smoke damage in a house can present health risks to its occupants. Inhaling smoke from a fire can cause respiratory issues and worsen existing lung problems. Additionally, soot left behind by the smoke can cause skin irritations upon contact.
When it comes to living in a house with smoke damage, you really need to assess the situation. Depending on the extent of the damage and the length of time since it has occurred, staying in a house with smoke damage might not be safe. If the smoke damage was recent and still contains hazardous levels of smoke particles, your health may suffer from long-term exposure.
That being said, if the room is adequately ventilated and maintained free from soot deposits by proper methods for cleaning up smoke-damaged items, living in a house with minor levels of smoke damage may be safe. In any case, it would be best to consult an expert for further advice about your specific scenario before deciding what’s best for you.