Standing on the street, looking at the burned scars on your home is heartbreaking. After the fire crew has eliminated the flames and ensured that the site is safe, you realize that the damage is even deeper. The smoke and soot linger to permeate into walls, carpets, duct systems, cupboards, and more.
Homeowners who are not experienced in fire damage remediation should not attempt to clean fire damage on their own. Running the HVAC system, or improperly placing fans can send smoke particulates throughout the home, further spreading the smell. Wiping surfaces with water could damage finishes. And walking around could drive abrasive soot into the carpets and floors.
Although smoke can often be seen during a fire, the damage causing the lingering smoke odor can often be a result of microscopic components. Invisible and toxic gasses including carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and phosgene can pollute the air and cause chemical reactions.
Plastic surfaces can become yellowed, discolored and warped. Just hours after a fire, metal hardware can show signs of rust and corrosion. Countertops, tiles or other surfaces that contain porous stone such as marble or granite can be permanently discolored from the acidic residue found in soot. This is all best left to fire damage remediation specialists who know what to look for and how to clean effectively.
Smoke produces tiny particles of carbon, or soot, in the air. Smoke is made up of several components:
Unlike the visible soot, smoke odors can linger and hide; the smell of smoke gets trapped in clothing, carpets, drapes and upholstered furniture. Count on JNT Restoration in San Marcos to find and eliminate the source.
While smoke damage is visible on walls and ceilings, it can also permeate these surfaces and cause damage to a home’s structure/framing, wall studs, insulation and air ducts in your ventilation system. When soot and smoke particles become trapped in the HVAC system, the smoke odor will linger and spread.
When a home experiences fire damage, it usually means that the electrical system has been compromised, as well. The following electrical components may be damaged: wiring, cords, outlets, switches, fuses and breaker boxes. Appliances that have been affected by fire damage can show signs of corrosion, experience short circuits and malfunction, or fail completely.
Once the visible and invisible traces of smoke damage have been spotted, JNT Registration will develop a multi-step process to restore your home with the least amount of disruptions possible to your life.
JNT Restoration is a premier mitigation and property restoration company serving several counties in southern California including San Diego, Orange, and Riverside. JNT Restoration brings together the resources and the support you need; on-call emergency crews are fully certified in moisture removal and mold mitigation. Emergency response vehicles are equipped with dehumidification units, fans, extractors, and equipment to keep your air quality healthy. Call (760) 410-6400 or visit jntrestoration.com to coordinate the emergency services from beginning to end.
