Materials That Can Be Damaged By Smoke
Metal
Smoke has been found to be acidic. The type of acids within the smoke will depend on what the fire was fueled by (for example, cooking oil versus wood), but typically the acids produced by smoke are related to carbon and sulfur. The acidity of smoke can damage metal within the home, ranging from tarnishing metal fixtures to corroding pipes. This can put your home at risk of water damage and the deterioration of metal structural elements. If you have had a fire at home, be aware that the metal features within your home may become structurally unsound and your pipes may be at risk of bursting.
Porous Materials
Wood, tile, marble, and plastic are all porous materials, meaning they have small pockets of air or pores. Because of the available space in porous materials, smoke can get deep inside and can be difficult to remove. This may cause discolouration of the material and it may also allow the smoke smell to linger. While some materials may be cleaned by mopping and deodorizing, others will have to be fully removed.
Flooring
If you don’t have a porous type of flooring such as tile or hardwood, you may have carpet. Synthetic carpets can become stained by smoke and can quickly absorb the lingering odours. It is very common to have your carpet removed during cleanup, as synthetic materials tend to absorb the scent of smoke easily and it cannot always be cleaned out. Because of the acidic nature of smoke, your carpet can begin to deteriorate even if it was initially undamaged by the fire. Natural fibres such as cotton rugs will break down even faster.
Walls
When there is fire damage, drywall that survives is highly susceptible to smoke damage. The odour of the smoke will cling to the walls and the acidic smoke residue can eat away at wallpaper or paint.
Smoke Damage And Fire Damage Cleanup In Calgary
To save your home from smoke damage after a house fire, contact a restoration company that specializes in smoke damage cleanup. At 24/7 Restoration, our crew will clean up all fire damage to limit the corrosive effects of lingering smoke damage. Our highly skilled cleanup team works tirelessly to help alleviate stress caused by disasters, regardless of the scale of the damage. 24/7 Restoration in Calgary is available to you 24 hours, 7 days a week so that you can call for smoke and fire damage cleanup whenever disaster strikes. For any restoration cleanup at any time of day, contact the 24/7 Restoration emergency line at 1-403-247-4365 or fill out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: Is all smoke damage the same?
A: No, there are actually four types of smoke damage, all of which differ based on the fuel for the fire and how fast and hot the fire burned. To learn more about the different types of smoke damage, read Identifying Smoke Damage: Four Different Types And Restoration Solutions.
Q: The Fire Department has come and put the fire out, but now I have water in my house. Will this be cleaned up?
A: Water damage resulting from a fire is very common, and 24/7 Restoration will employ all of our expertise in water damage mitigation and structural drying in our restoration strategy for your fire loss. It is our job to ensure that you don’t have mold growth from this event.
Q: What should I do after a fire in my home?
A: If you have had a fire in your home (assuming the fire has been put out safely and it is time to deal with the next steps) it is recommended that you contact your home insurance provider to make a claim. Once your home is safe and secure, contact 24/7 Restoration in Calgary to get started on your fire and smoke cleanup.
