How To Detect And Repair Smoke Damage In Your Home?

If a house gets caught in a fire accident, even if the flames get extinguished, there are invisible threats, such as the residual smoke. So, if your New York house has been set on fire, it is essential to assess the damage caused by the smoke.

It affects the belongings, air quality, and the property’s structure. Moreover, it also has the potential to cause health problems if not addressed on time. So, here are the key points for detecting and repairing smoke damage so that you can transition your home into a safe living condition.

IMAGE: PEXELS

What Is Smoke Damage?

Even if the fire is extinguished, smoke is left behind. This smoke comprises fine particles and toxic chemicals that can infiltrate every corner of your house and adhere to certain substances. Smoke can also penetrate porous materials, leading to health hazards, particularly for children and the elderly.

Moreover, it also affects electronics, building materials, and other valuable possessions and even causes respiratory conditions.

Detecting Smoke Damage

You can identify the presence of smoke damage by the visible stains of soot. Still, there are also other key indicators, such as getting a smoky smell inside the house, indicating smoke particles embedded in materials.

You can also find discoloration of the walls, ceiling, and appliances, which is smoke residual. If there are fine black particles near the vent or duct, these are signs of soot accumulation. Moreover, due to the acidic component in the smoke, the metals can also rust or corrode.

Lastly, if you find the fabrics of clothes and curtains yellow, these are signs of smoke damage.

However, you might find that in many cases, there are no visible signs of smoke damage. Thus, you need to engage fire and smoke restoration companies that can comprehensively assess the effective areas and address them.

Repairing Smoke Damage

You have to start by airing out your house to address smoke damage. You have to maintain proper ventilation by opening up the windows and using fans to promote airflow. During the repairing process, you must safeguard yourself from being exposed to harmful residuals by wearing protective equipment.

Next, you have to clean all the surfaces with mild soap or detergents, and if there is any stubborn soot, then try a tri-sodium phosphate and water solution.

To prevent further damage, you can first test the cleaning solution on a small area. If you want to remove the smoke residues from the fabrics, hire cleaning professionals.

Moreover, you also need to prevent the redistribution of contaminants, so inspect the HVAC system and get it cleaned by professionals to restore the air quality. After you are done with the repair, it’s time to seal and repaint the walls.

If the damages are extensive, you can hire a restoration company specializing in dealing with smoke damages. They can effectively restore your house to post-fire condition.

Summing It Up

To reduce the likelihood of smoke damage, you must take specific preventive measures, such as installing smoke detectors. Moreover, you also have to maintain its functionality and keep a fire extinguisher accessible.

You can also practice a fire evacuation plan with your family and regularly maintain the electrical systems and appliances. You also have to look out for fire hazards and seek advice from specialists at nycrestoration.com.

IMAGE: PEXELS

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