Soot Happens (Part 2)

Damages caused by various soots (see Soot Happens Part 1) can result in smoke marks, streaks and discolorations of walls and ceilings, as well as health issues. Soot travels quickly and penetrates deeply into surfaces, depending on the type, temperature and micron level. Bedding, clothing, furniture, walls, ceilings, floor coverings, heat ducts, window blinds and all other surfaces that come in contact with soot are usually affected.

Unless proper cleaning takes place, soot can often bleed back through "cleaned" surfaces, causing further damage and at the least, requiring the surface or item to be re-cleaned.

How do I clean it up?

• Don't assume that simply painting over the soot will solve the problem. If not cleaned properly, painted soot often bleeds back through within 6 months or less.
• Attempting to remove soot from painted surfaces could actually smear and grind the particles further into the surface. Proper equipment, like a dry chemical sponge, is often used to remove soot.
• The home or office HVC cold air return duct can actually distribute soot particles, causing damages throughout. Special air duct cleaning is often required.
• HEPA air scrubbing equipment is often needed as soot floats and contaminates rooms that have been previously cleaned. This recontamination is referred to as "Fall Out".
• Clothing, curtains, bedding, carpets, upholstery and other textiles often need extensive cleaning using Infused Ozone Gas and other products that break down soot. Pressurized Ozone and Hydroxyl chambers are typically needed after the cleaning process to remove the strong odors caused by smoke and soot.
• Wallpaper can streak unless a dry chemical sponge is used first but even then, due to the paper based materials, wallpapers are often times damaged beyond repair.

Our Biggest Tip

The biggest mistake many home and business owners make is attempting to clean up the damage themselves or ignoring it completely. Contact a company who is trained and properly equipped in removing soot damage.

Our process involves:

• Quick assessment of damaged items and areas
• Securing the items and areas of your home or building that has not been affected
• Securing affected areas from contaminating other un or less affected areas
• Securing and moving affected items to a separate location for proper cleaning
• Restoring damaged structural items
• Cleaning and deodorizing affected textiles
• Cleaning and deodorizing affected hard surface items like furniture, toys and electronics
• Cleaning HVC ducts and particulates from the air and more