Fire damage is one of the most damaging and complex types of property damage. Smoke, on the other hand, causes damage to homes. The combination of smoke and soot causes smoke damage, which can ruin priceless items and degrade indoor air quality.
What is considered smoke damage?
Smoke damage, as opposed to fire damage, refers to any physical or structural harm caused by smoke. Even though smoke does not destroy a room, objects, or property like fire, it can have disastrous consequences. Some consequences include sooting and a lingering odor, but there are others. Many people must be aware of how greasy smoke and soot can be. When it comes into contact with priceless items, it can make handling very unpleasant.
Fabrics and furniture are particularly vulnerable. If soot and smoke particles remain for an extended time without being professionally cleaned, they can affect porous materials like wood or clothing and even erode materials like metal. Not to mention how strenuous it is to clean. Furthermore, it may affect minor wall gaps, pipes, or wiring.
Advice on Assessing Smoke Damage
Assessment and treatment are critical for protecting your business from smoke and fire damage. Knowing this will assist you in learning how to avoid future harm. You can click here to get professional advice.
Assessment
When evaluating smoke damage, it is critical to smell and look for clues to distinguish wear from everyday use. In industrial cooking equipment and brick ovens, burning wood, meat, flesh, and grease frequently produces odors and leaves distinct residues. Smoke from cooking equipment can smell like natural protein before turning into a powdery or greasy residue, typically gray, black, yellow, or brown.
Look for odors and residues that are strong, thick, and uncontained. A chemical sponge test is the most common way to check for smoke damage. This test can be performed on the affected areas’ surfaces by simply blotting a chemical sponge over a stain. If there is no residue on the sponge, there has been no smoke damage. If a deposition is discovered, it is critical to proceed to the next stage of treating the damaged area.
Treatment
You can use a combination of techniques to repair smoke damage. HEPA vacuums are frequently used to remove soot and residue. Ventilate the area by opening it up and using fans to help eliminate the smoke smell. Restoration workers will need to wear gloves, safety glasses, and boots. HEPA-filtered respirators may also be required for safety reasons, but this should always be the most crucial consideration.
Furthermore, you must follow all OSHA regulations and clean the area regularly. Because kitchens frequently contain industrial appliances and brick ovens, removing this residue with the proper cleaning tool and sponge is critical. The most effective cleaning method involves using a regular sponge and a strong detergent capable of cutting through grease. First, perform a test and put on safety gear for your protection.
Cleaning is also necessary to permanently prevent acidic soot from discoloring chrome, porcelain, and Formica fixtures. The most difficult challenge may be the smoke odor, so removing all soot as soon as possible allows for initial control of the smell. Aside from using chemicals to mask the odor, there are a few other commonly used techniques, such as thermal deodorization and ozone treatment.
Therm deodorization eliminates odors through high temperatures and atomized liquid that condenses in the air and on surfaces. Ozone generators generate large amounts of ozone that can be used in ozone treatments. Because this powerful oxidizer can harm humans and attack all organic materials, you should only use it in a controlled environment.
Contact professionals
Professional restoration companies have the tools, expertise, and training to deal with smoke damage and mold removal in Northbrook. Consider the credentials of a local restoration company when selecting one. Check their certification, licensure, bonding, and insurance coverage. It is critical to determine how to prevent further damage after the smoke damage has been identified and repaired.
Conclusion
The dangers of fire and smoke can be reduced but not eliminated. To reduce spontaneous combustion, grease rags can be cleaned, stored, and discarded. Cooks’ knowledge of fire safety, prevention, and emergency procedures will aid them in detecting fires more effectively. Employees should be aware of significant fire hazards, hazardous material handling and storage, and ignition sources. Understanding and using these appliances responsibly is critical to avoid fires and smoke.
