Fires can quickly destroy anything in their path, but what about smoke? Even small electrical or house fires can leave behind dangerous smoke particles
that puts your health at risk. Why is it so important to include smoke and soot removal when cleaning up after a fire? ServiceMaster of Baltimore explains the dangers of smoke damage in your home and how to make sure you’re returning to a clean space.
What is Smoke and Soot?
Smoke is a mixture of the particles and chemicals that are produced from burning carbon-containing materials like wood, home structures, and brush. All smoke contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and soot. Smoke can contain many different chemicals, including aldehydes, acid gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, toluene, styrene, metals and dioxins.
Why is Smoke Damage Dangerous?
After a fire, it’s important to clean up soot and smoke damage in addition to removing the structures that were burned because of the risks it poses to your health. Because of all of the chemicals contained in smoke and soot, it can irritate the lungs and put you at increased risk of cardiovascular disease over time. Immediate exposure to smoke causes eye and lung irritation, and the carbon monoxide present can quickly kill. Long-term exposure to the particles and irritants in soot left in the home after a fire can permanently damage the lungs and heart.
What’s Involved in Fire Damage Restoration?
ServiceMaster of Baltimore offers complete fire damage restoration and smoke cleanup that goes beyond removing damaged items. We will respond quickly to secure and protect the home, including tarping roofs or boarding windows, and can assess the property to determine what items and structures can be saved. Our priority is your safety and health, but we also understand that preserving your items is important.
We will completely clean areas that were affected by the fire, performing HVAC duct cleaning, deodorization, power washing, soda blasting, and ice blasting as required. We also offer an ultrasonic machine that removes soot particles from the surface of your belongings so you can save as much of your property as possible. Most importantly, we provide peace of mind that you will be able to quickly return to your home and that you are protected from the dangerous long-term health effects of smoke and soot.
Call ServiceMaster of Baltimore at (410) 498-8030 to discuss how we can be of service to you.
