Flames or Soot: Restoring a home after a fire can be stressful

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult, emotional process. We can help with cleanup & restoration, and can provide other resources.

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E responded to a couple of fire-damaged homes in recent weeks. Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult and emotional process. Not only are we here to help with the cleanup and restoration of your property, but for your family as well.

Flames can cause the most visible damage to your property but the most damage comes from the smoke and soot. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when substances are burned. Inhaling soot can cause health effects. It is important to our team that we get rid of all the after-effects of the fire - not only the damage but also the odor. Our expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Before restoration begins, our SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E expert will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will be based on which type of smoke damage there is. Below are the different types of smoke:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore, smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire.

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Call SERVPRO® of Laurel or SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E when you are in need of cleaning after fire strikes. We know it is hard seeing your home in flames and we are here to restore it the best we can. A friendly member of our team is waiting at the phone lines to answer any questions you might have or to schedule a visit at (301) 323-8862.