Do you really know the truth about smoke damage clean up?
Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and where there’s fire there’s smoke damage clean up. It’s often the hardest part of the whole event. While nothing is worse than a house fire, dealing with the clean up is no picnic either. Here are some facts you should know before you get started.
Smoke of a Different Color is Still Smoke.
Different fuels create different kinds of smoke. When wood burns the smoke residue is black and dusty. When grease burns it leaves a soot residue that is harder to see, but it is smeary and hard to remove. And when synthetic materials burn, the smoke residue is toxic and dangerous.
Smoke is Corrosive
No matter the type of fire or the fuel that was burned, smoke and soot residue themselves are corrosive and damaging. Smoke is made up of particles of whatever is burned in the fire. It moves with the air and becomes attached to whatever it comes in contact with, causing damage until it is removed.
The Right Equipment is Key
Cleaning up smoke and soot is not as easy as using a rag and some elbow grease. You need the right equipment and the right cleaning products to be effective. TSP, or trisodium phosphate, is one such product.
Don’t Forget the Protective Gear
Because soot and smoke residue can be toxic and harmful to your health, the right protective gear is essential. Gloves, masks, eye protection, and proper clothing and shoes should all be worn during cleanup to protect your eyes, lungs, and skin.
If you think all of this sounds like a lot to manage, you’re not alone. The fact is that cleaning up smoke damage is a complex and painstaking process. Instead of taking this on yourself after the devastation of a fire, call in the experts.
Can-Restore is the local leader in smoke damage clean up, call us today at (770) 400-9047.