Facts About Smoke

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure. Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor. The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process. There are several types of smoke. Let's begin with wet smoke. This includes plastic and rubber. Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, and smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean. Then there is dry smoke. This includes paper and wood. Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises, so smoke rises too. Next is what is known as protein fire residue. This is produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire. It is virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, and has an extreme pungent odor. In addition there is what is known as fuel oil soot. This is caused by furnace puff backs. While "puff backs" can create havoc for property owners, SERVPRO of High Point professionals can restore the contents and structure fairly quickly. And lastly, there is tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher residue which are considered special loss situations and require special care.