The dangers posed by a fire do not end with the flames. Smoke claims more lives than any other part of a house fire, and though it may dissipate from the air, it continues to cling to spaces in your home. This can damage objects and release toxins back into the air.

Electronics

If you’ve had a fire in you’re home, and your electronics look okay, you might not pay much more attention to them. After all, they look fine; they’re good. But this may not be the case. Electronics are just as vulnerable to smoke as your other possessions, such as clothing or curtains. Soot not only gets all over everything, but it can also get into things. Soot can spread throughout the inside of computers, tablets, televisions, and other electronics and cause damage. The soot can corrode the metal, cause overheating and short circuits. Therefore, it’s essential that electronics be cleaned after a fire. But, this should be done by a professional.

Drywall and Wood

Often, the damage soot and smoke do to your walls and woodwork will probably be the most obvious since these two things make up a lot of your house. Generally, your ceilings will take a lot of damage since hot air rises. However, your walls will also likely be blackened by soot. These surfaces will need to be heavily cleaned if they are to be restored, and they may need to be replaced. In fact, often it’s preferable to replace them rather than clean them.

Clothing

Clothing is also affected by soot. The soot can permeate the clothing, and it will likely need to be professionally cleaned to avoid permanent damage. It’s also not a good idea to wash them yourself in a washing machine because this can actually cause the smoke odor to become permanent.

Additionally, a washing machine doesn’t do a very good job of removing soot; so, you could find your clothing causes skin irritation if you clean it this way. So, it’s best to just take them to a professional. Although you may need to do a bit of research to find someone that handles smoke-damaged clothing, not all dry cleaners do.

Appliances

Appliances are something else you’ll have to deal with after a fire. If the fire was not in the kitchen, this should be easier than dealing with clothes or electronics. Appliances are sturdy and made to be easy to clean, so the soot can just be wiped off.

However, if the fire was in the kitchen, some of the appliances’ wiring may have melted, and the machines may need to be replaced.

Furniture

Furniture is also vulnerable to smoke damage. The soot can permeate the upholstery making it difficult to clean, and the wood or metal structures can be damaged by the soot, as can any stains or paints. But, it’s not just the soot you need to worry about, you could also damage your furniture if you use the wrong cleaner on them. So, take care when cleaning your furniture and consider getting professional help.

Time

No matter what item in your home has been affected by soot, it needs to be cleaned quickly. Items that may be salvageable can quickly become non-salvageable if left to sit because the longer soot remains on an item, the more damage it does. Try to start with porous items first since they are most vulnerable. But, don’t leave soot on anything for long; even sturdy items can be quickly damaged by soot.

Final Thoughts

Smoke is still dangerous long after the fire ends. Without proper removal, the soot deposits can damage your home and possessions. It is important to quickly clean smoke deposits to minimize damage and salvage the most items.

Contact Us

Smoke cleanup is a serious business, and you need a company that will do the job right. You can trust ABH Services Inc. to respond quickly to minimize damage and leave your home clean and smoke-free. Call us at (781) 941-2422 or connect with us on Facebook.