Different types of fires

5/15/2017 (Permalink)

No signs of structural damage, but there is some smoke/soot damage in this room.

All fires are unique, from the different ignition sources to the types of materials and structure affected.  The trained staff at SERVPRO of Bedford Park / Burbank can determine the type of fire and the best way to clean it up.

Different types of soot

A fire that mostly wood and paper products burn will have high heat and will create a dry soot; lots of ash that is relatively easy to clean.  Think of a fireplace once the season is over, and you have to clean the ash that is left over.

A fire that has lots of rubber or plastic products that burn will have a stickier residue with a more pungent smell.  This type of soot is harder to clean, and also tougher to get the odor out.

If you have a fire that has animal fats and/or proteins (like leaving chicken to cook on the stove and then forget about it until it's too late), that fire leaves a very sticky and smeary type of soot that is very difficult to clean and deodorize.

Don't take a chance trying to clean smoke or soot damage yourself; trust the experts at SERVPRO of Bedford Park / Burbank to come out and assess the damage and determine the best course of action.