Why Remediating Smoke Damage After A Fire Is So Essential

When you think of the aftermath of a fire, your first thoughts might be about the loss of property and how to rebuild. However, there are other things to consider too. When a fire has left its mark on your home, it can leave behind contaminants that are harmful to your health when you have experienced smoke damage afterward, fire remediation is an essential part of the rebuilding process. Read on to learn more about why remediating smoke damage is so important and what steps you need to take if you find yourself in this situation.

What do You Need to Know About Smoke & Fire Damage (and How to Remove It)

Smoke and fire damage can be caused by many things such as cooking, electrical fires, and industrial accidents. The most common types of smoke and fire damage are the result of fires. Smoke damages the walls, ceilings, furniture, carpets, curtains, electronics, and clothing items like clothes and jewelry; while fire damages the walls and ceilings.

Smoke can cause structural damage to your home, especially if it is sustained for an extended period of time. This includes smoke that has been trapped inside your home or office. The smoke from a fire can cause respiratory issues, while the heat from the fire can cause permanent damage to structures like walls and floors.

There are many ways to remove smoke from your home or business including using fans, vacuums, and air purifiers. However, the most effective way to remove smoke damage is by using a professional service provider like a professional remediation company.

How to Detect Fire and Smoke Damage?

The first step to detect fire and smoke damage is to identify the signs. If you see any of these signs, it is best that you contact a professional immediately.

• Smoke or flames coming out of the chimney or vents.
• Flickering lights.
• Soot on walls, ceilings, furniture, or floors.
• A strong smell of burning.
• Darkened walls or ceilings.
• Dust in corners of rooms.

There are four types of smoke damage:

• Wet Smoke

Wet smoke comes from the water sprayed onto the burning material during extinguishment, which creates steam and water vapor. Wet smoke contains carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other elements that are found in common household materials like wood, coal, and oil. The wetness of wet smoke may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.

• Dry Smoke

When a fire breaks out, it is important to be able to detect the smoke and know whether it is dry or not. This type of smoke is usually white and does not have any visible water droplets and it’s essentially a product of the combustion process of a fire. It is composed of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases.

Dry smoke tends to have a bad smell and can irritate the eyes and nose and may also cause some respiratory issues.

• Fuel Oil Smoke 

Fuel oil smoke is a result of a fire that has been burning for too long. The smoke is the product of the combustion process. It is also known as unburned hydrocarbons that make up the fuel oil. The smoke can be seen in different colors such as black, white, yellow, brown, and red.

This type of smoke can be dangerous. It can cause respiratory problems and contribute to air pollution.

• Complex Fire Smoke

A complex fire is a fire that has more than one source and can be difficult to extinguish. These fires are typically found in residential buildings and can be very dangerous as they spread quickly. This type release a lot of smoke, heat, and toxic gasses. The smoke is often so dense that it obscures vision, making it difficult for people in the local area to see what's going on.

Complex fire smoke can cause serious damage to the respiratory system and the health of people who are exposed to it.

Why is Quick Action Necessary for Smoke Damage?

Smoke damage is a common occurrence in the house. It damages the interior and exterior of the building, as well as furniture and other items inside. The smoke can spread quickly and cause irreparable damage to the property. When it happens, you should take quick action to avoid further damage from occurring. This includes the following actions:

• Immediately shut off the power supply and gas supply.
• Take out all furniture from the room.
• Open windows for ventilation.
• Call for professional fire damage restoration.

The simplest way to detect water leakage is using a moisture sensor. This sensor detects the presence of water vapor in the air and sends a signal to an alarm system. The alarm system then sends an alert to the appropriate people who can take action on it.

However, there are some advanced water leak detection tools used by professional water leak restoration companies that are known to be extremely efficient in solving the leak problem and restoring your home to its pre-existing condition. Some of these are as follows:

These detection methods are typically classified into two categories: passive and active methods. Passive methods use natural phenomena such as temperature, wind speed, humidity, and seismic activity to detect leaks. Active methods rely on mechanical or electronic devices that detect water vapor in the air or through special sensors installed within pipes or other components of a piping system.

There are three types of active methods: ultrasonic, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and laser-based technologies. Ultrasonic systems use high-frequency sound waves that bounce off objects such as pipes, walls, etc.

If you have a leak in your house, use your phone to take photos and videos of your home while pointing it at the leaky area and then submit them to a leak detection company for analysis.

What Does Smoke Damage Restoration Process Look Like?

The average person doesn't think twice about a simple plumbing leak. But, if you don't know what to do when you notice one, you could be in for a lot of trouble.

A simple plumbing leak can lead to extensive water damage and even a catastrophe. There are many ways that it can happen, but the most common cause is the buildup of pressure in the pipes over time. This can lead to the pipe bursting at any moment, causing all sorts of damage to your home that will cost thousands of dollars in repairs.

A plumbing leak occurs when the water pressure from the main line is too high and the pipe's internal pressure exceeds its capacity. When this happens, liquid water leaks out of the pipe instead of being forced into it, which can cause extensive damage. The level of damage depends on how long this process takes and how much liquid water escapes.

If you notice a small plumbing leak, it’s important to act quickly and call a water damage restoration company in Marietta to prevent any further complications.

Here are some simple steps to follow:

• Damages furniture, flooring, and walls.
• Can rot wood and metal structures.
• Can cause mold growth on surfaces like wallpaper or drywall.
• Can cause structural damage to a building by damaging framing members or supporting beams.

Here are just some of the steps a smoke remediation and restoration company takes to restore your property:

Ventilation

In the event of a fire, smoke damage is one of the biggest concerns that homeowners have to deal with. There are many ways to remove smoke damage, but none of them are as effective as ventilation.

The most common methods of ventilation for smoke damage are natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, and forced-air systems.

• Natural Ventilation is the process of removing smoke and hot air from a building by using outside air to replace the air inside the building. This type of ventilation is typically used in buildings with windows that open.
• Mechanical Ventilation is the process of exhausting (or extracting) smoke and hot air from a building by using fans or other mechanical devices. It can be used in any building with windows that do not open.
• Forced-Air Systems are similar to mechanical ventilation because they rely on fans to extract smoke and hot air from a building.

If a wildfire is headed your way, make sure you have an emergency evacuation plan in place. Include family members, pets, important documents, and medications in your plan

Smoke Contamination

Smoke contamination is one of the most important steps in smoke remediation, it should be done when there is no fire or when the fire has been extinguished. The process includes cleaning the affected area with water and then using a vacuum cleaner to suck up residual rubbish before air-drying the area. The goal of smoke remediation is to remove the smoke from buildings and restore them back to their original condition.

Smoke and Fire Damage Removal in Marietta, GA

In addition to smoke damage services, we’re Georgia's go-to source for water damage and mold damage, two problems you may also need to deal with after a house fire. Our advanced remediation methods restore your home as quickly as possible, ensuring the least disruption to your home and life. To learn more about all our services and how we can help you avoid future costly repairs, contact Zen Dry Restoration Smoke and Fire Damage Experts for 24/7 support. Call us today at (678) 468-3435.