Why Does a Homeowner See Smoke Webs After a Carmel Fire?

9/13/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage to your Carmel home can be tricky to deal with. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional remediation and mitigation services.

SERVPRO Cleans All Types of Smoke Residue in Carmel

After a plastic fire in your Carmel house, smoke particles can become electrically charged. These particles travel throughout your home to attach magnetically to oppositely charged surfaces. The smoke from plastic burning has a stronger electric charge than smoke from paper or wood. These smoke particles attract themselves to surfaces around the home, creating a web-like formation. At first glance, you may think it is a spider web. However, the smoke tags are formed by ionized smoke particles spread out over surfaces.

What Do Ionization and Magnetism Mean?

Smoke Residues Attach to Surfaces with Opposite Electric Charge

During your fire restoration project in Carmel, you may notice smoke residue sticking to different surfaces throughout your home. Ionization means that smoke particles, usually from a plastic fire, become electrically charged. Then, these electrically charged smoke molecules attach magnetically to opposite-charged surfaces. Synthetics tend to hold more of a charge than natural fibers. For example, a plastic bag might have more residue than a linen or silk dress. Ionized smoke particles also attract to metal surfaces similarity to a magnet. You may notice smoke particles attaching themselves to nails, coat hangers, and metal fixtures around the home.

How About Furnace “Puff Back?”

Oil-based fuels in heating furnaces can “explode” when the equipment is not properly maintained. This buildup includes sooty deposits, with high electrical charges, that can cause a dramatic “spider web” result in cooler corners of a structure. The soot, as aerosol particles, can also leave thick, unsightly films on surfaces like ceilings and walls. This cleanup may require painting an odor-killing primer as part of the restoration process.

How Does SERVPRO Handle Smoke Webs and Other Ionized Smoke Particles?

• Technicians typically perform a surface test to determine the most effective way to remove the smoke residue. 
• SERVPRO technicians attempt dry cleaning with a vacuum or broom to gently remove the smoke webs.
• If dry cleaning smears the webs, technicians use wet cleaning techniques with cleaning solvents and water.
• In some cases, technicians may remove items from the home for more extensive cleaning in our offsite facilities.

For help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, contact SERVPRO of Putnam County at (845) 228-1090. We make it, "Like it never even happened."

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