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911 Restoration > Articles > Dangers and Effects of Smoke Damage

Dangers and Effects of Smoke Damage

When you own a home or business, one of your biggest concerns is protecting yourself from fire-related damage and losses. This is why everyone should carry fire insurance. However, smoke damage is often difficult to understand, due to its unique behavior.

Like any hot air, smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of structures, and is not confined to areas directly impacted by the fire. Smoke often finds its way through plumbing systems, using holes around pipes, ventilation systems, and heating and cooling systems, to move from floor to floor, damaging the equipment throughout a home or building. Items salvaged after a fire have the potential to be more damaged from the smoke rather than the fire. You should be aware that the smoke smell will become absorbed into couches, curtains, furniture, draperies, and rugs (all the way down to the pads). Most people become desensitized to the smell after 24-hours because ash and other particles have entered the nose causing them to not smell as efficiently. Even though they might not be able to smell the smoke, the damage is still there.

Here are a few tips to remember if you are unfortunate enough to have this happen:

  • Open the windows, getting fresh air in and letting the smoke out will help take the edge off of the smell.
  • Change your air conditioner filters. Smoke travels through cooling and heating systems. Particles get trapped in these ducts. When your system turns on to cool or heat your home the smoke debris and smell will travel out of the ducts into your home and airways.
  • Make arrangements to move out of the house until a restoration crew can clean up your home. If you stay in a house with smoke damage you risk inhaling carbon dioxide, a harmful toxin that can damage the body. Breathing in smoke can promote bronchial and respiratory problems such as soar throat, asthma, and infection. Prolonged exposure to smoke can also lead to permanent lung damage.
  • Take photos of the damage before the insurance adjuster arrives so that you have an accurate account for your records. Be sure to photograph areas where there is visible damage (walls, carpets, curtains, personal belongings, the structure). This will be helpful when you negotiate your claim.
  • Many of your personal items and electronic devices will be permanently damaged from the smoke. Television sets, VCRs, DVD players, built-in speaker systems and so on can all be affected and permanently damaged because the smoke gets trapped inside the units. Be sure to photograph these items for the adjuster.
  • Deep clean everything in your home. Each glass, plate, piece of silverware needs to be washed. All clothes, bedding, and towels need to be washed or dry cleaned. Children’s toys need to be sanitized.
  • Replace your carpets. Even a carpet that is professionally cleaned after a fire will hold the smell of smoke because the pads must be replaced.

If you have fire insurance, contact your insurance agent for suggestions and advice. If you rent, contact the owner so you both can assess the damage. When the insurance adjuster arrives, remember he or she is there to help you.. Here are a few key points to bear in mind:

  • Adjusters should come within one week to take photographs and assign a restoration company by the second week.
  • Take your own photos of everything. I cannot stress this enough.
  • There are two types of fires in the insurance world, In-House and disaster. In-House fires are usually limited to a single home while disasters affect many. Find out what kind of fire coverage is appropriate to your situation and then make sure your insurance company or a government agency will cover the costs of your damage.
  • Your insurance coverage should include coverage for both the structure - walls, carpet, cabinets, fixtures, air conditioner - anything you can't pick up and take with you – and personal property - all of your personal belongings.

Here's a tip: If a section of one of the rooms in your home is damaged, the entire room needs to be repainted. If a hallway is damaged, the hall and the rooms that it connects to need to be repainted. Sometimes insurance companies will only recommend taking care of the damaged section but most times, you are entitled to a full restoration of the damaged room.

Don't forget your attic. Smoke rises and gets trapped in the attic and is absorbed into the insulation. If you have a fire, your insulation should be replaced because it will capture the smell of the smoke. You can clean your home but if you do not replace the insulation you will still smell smoke.

Finally, make sure to get the air ducts in your home cleaned. They are also a place where smoke gets trapped and releases fumes.

If you experience fire or smoke damage, your best bet for a full recovery is to contact a reputable smoke damage repair service in your area. Damage from smoke is a serious problem that can cause extensive irreparable damage if not treated by a professional certified restoration specialist. Look for an IICRC certified expert cleanup service. Their ability to provide rapid pack out services and storage can help protect your valuable belongings during the recovery process and can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in replacement costs. An expert’s experience with smoke-damaged areas will save you a small fortune in potential losses.

By Shay Kalmanovich, CEO, 911 Restoration (www.911Restorationinc.com). 911 Restoration is one of the leading certified mold, water, and smoke damage restoration companies, with over 30 years of experience, specializing in both commercial and residential properties.

Keep informed and educated using our restoration library. These guides and articles were written by our professional technicians, with accumulated years of experience.
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