Smoke damage from a fire can cause the carriage of dangerous carcinogens from burned wood, upholstery, smoke particles, or even melted plastics. In most homes, the wood within the structure is highly prone to trapping toxins and odors. These unpleasant odors are usually hard or impossible to eradicate without the help of a professional team of restoration experts. Hence, you should understand what smoke damage is, its risks, and the necessary steps to manage its aftermath.

What Exactly is Smoke Damage?

Smoke damage is any physical damage that occurs due to smoke rather than the fire itself. After a fire, there can also be smoke damage to the home apart from fire damage. Smoke damage is a mix of smoke and soot in the home: you can recognize it when items are coated in soot or a persistent smell of smoke.

What are the Most Common Types of Smoke Damage?

There are four common types of smoke damage, which are:

• Dry Smoke: Dry smoke occurs in a high-temperature fire. This form of smoke damage produces an extremely fine powder form of smoke. When it’s on a porous material or porous surfaces (somewhere with holes), it can be difficult to clean on your own.

• Protein Residue: Protein residue is a serious form of smoke damage as it breaks down the home’s foundation, causing structural damage. It ruins the integrity of paint and can also destroy vanishes.

• Fuel/Oil Residue: When an oil-based substance is burned, fuel/oil or petroleum smoke damage occurs. This kind of damage has very dark type of smoke produced compared to other types of damage, and it lingers on every material it’s in contact with.

• Wet Smoke: Unlike dry smoke, wet smoke damage occurs in a slow-burning fire with a significantly low temperature. In most cases, it’s the most challenging form of smoke damage to clean or restore.

What is the Impact that Smoke Damage Can Have on Your Property?

In most homes, smoke permeates into HVAC vents within electrical sockets and behind walls. This effect can cause damage to the walls and even furniture. However, the type of smoke and temperature of the fire will significantly determine its effects on a property.

Are there any Risks Associated with Smoke Damage?

Various risks relate to smoke damage; most get severe without professional help in the home. Here are some health effects of smoke damage:

• Lung Problems: This is common among those with asthma or other conditions relating to the lungs. Soot particles can affect the lungs and in some severe instances can even cause lung disease. It can also cause shortness of breath. 

• Carbon monoxide Health Problems: Carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, headaches, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Skin Issues: A house with smoke damage can cause skin issues like itching and rashes.

How can you take Care of Smoke Damage on Your Property?

When you observe any smoke damage on your property, taking action quickly is imperative. Avoid removing the damage on your own as it may expose you to various health issues because of the smoke odor, toxic smoke particles, and even soot particles. Instead, consult a professional to help with the damage.

Our team at Quick2Dry specializes in effective smoke damage removal. We go beyond removing the signs of visible damage. We offer expert cleaning of your home to ensure there are no signs of smoke damage that could affect your health.

Properly Manage the Aftermath of Smoke Damage with Quick2Dry

The aftermath of smoke damage can be devastating. For this reason, at Quick2Dry, we take every necessary step to get your property back in the best condition possible. Contact us for any restoration need you might have. You can also reach out to us at 614-328-5111 or send us an email at [email protected]. We will take immediate steps to help with any issues you have in your home.