While smoke damage usually suggests immediate dangers like health risks and ruined belongings, its lasting impact on your home’s walls is equally concerning.
The effects of smoke on walls are far beyond unsightly stains; they lead to structural damage and health concerns if not properly addressed. If you’ve noticed wall damage from smoke in your home, whether from a fire, a cooking accident, or other sources, you’re in the right place.
Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about wall damage from smoke and how to tackle this tumultuous issue.
Types of smoke damage
There are several types of smoke damage that commonly occur in the home. Let’s dive into four main kinds:
1. Fuel smoke
Burning oil, petroleum, and other fuels produce fuel smoke. This type of smoke damage is usually found in garages, sheds, and industrial sites. Fuel smoke creates a thick residue that’s extremely difficult to remove once it settles. And once cloth comes into contact with it, the damage is usually irreversible.
2. Wet smoke
Wet smoke fumes are produced by low-heat fires. This kind of smoke smells like burnt plastic and leaves a black stain on metal objects. Wet smoke also leaves behind stubborn grease that is tricky to clean.
3. Proteins smoke
Protein smoke is produced by burning organic materials usually found in kitchens. Protein fumes, unlike other types of smoke, don’t cause stains or streaks on hard surfaces; however, it will discolor paint and has a pungent, persistent smell.
4. Dry smoke
High temperatures and rapidly spreading flames yield dry smoke. Paper, wood, and building materials are common sources of these pollutants. While the residue from dry smoke damage is powdery and simple to wipe, it finds its way into every crack and crevice. As a result, it may cause structural and interior damage to wiring, HVAC systems, and your home’s foundation.
What are some common signs of smoke damage?
Smoke damage might be hiding right under your nose if you don’t know what to look for. Understanding the signs is the first step of repairing the damage. There are four main signs of wall damage from smoke to look for after a fire:
1. Smoke stains
Smoke leaves behind visible traces, making it an unmistakable sign to watch for. Keep your eyes peeled for stains on walls, window curtains, carpets, wallpaper, backsplashes, and ceilings. Unfortunately, they won’t vanish on their own and require proper, professional treatment to remove.
2. Strong odors
One of the worst characteristics of smoke is its overpowering smell. Smoke emits a pungent odor that infiltrates even the smallest spaces and won’t dissipate on its own. It will linger for months if not properly addressed. Thorough smoke damage restoration is necessary to rid of the stench for good.
3. Floor damage
Smoke has a sneaky ability to permeate the crevices of wood tiles, flooring, and carpet fibers. Though smoke rises initially, it eventually settles back down and quickly gets to work wreaking havoc on your floors. Smoke causes rust on nails, screws, and fasteners, leading to structural issues and a whole lot of trouble over time.
4. Rust and corrosion
The composition of smoke damage varies depending on the source of the fire — like a kitchen mishap or a candle gone awry. Regardless of the origin, smoke contains acids and other hazardous chemicals that destroy belongings.
Unfortunately, smoke has a knack for also traveling to areas untouched by the fire. It’s not just your walls and surfaces that are at risk; smoke also carries moisture that leads to rust or corrosion on metal items throughout your home. Keep a close eye on your furniture, appliances, and other gadgets to prevent any unwelcome surprises.
How are walls tested for smoke damage?
Have you ever wondered how wall damage from smoke is detected? Let’s go over the basics:
First, a visual inspection is carried out, along with the use of a soot eraser sponge. Swiping the sponge over surfaces reveals particle buildup. A black discoloration indicates fire-related particles, whereas a white or light gray discoloration indicates regular household dust. The only downside to this approach is that it cannot distinguish between smoke residue from fires and other sources of combustion, like fireplaces, candle burning, and cigarette smoking.
The simplest laboratory test is a tape-lift sample. A clear piece of tape is placed on a surface, then the laboratory employs several light microscopy techniques to search for char particles. These particles are bigger than tiny soot particles. To detect the presence of soot, a wipe sample is required.
Can smoke damage ruin my walls?
Absolutely, smoke damage commonly devastates walls. When soot and smoke linger, they actively ravage your walls. While stains might initially seem like nothing more than a minor annoyance, the damage they leave behind is much more significant.
Here’s the kicker: putting out the fire often causes more damage than the fire itself. Water used to extinguish flames can seep into walls, providing a perfect pathway for smoke to infiltrate. This will lead to damage that goes beyond just surface-level and requires the help of smoke damage restoration professionals.
How to prevent smoke damage
Fires are devastating — they leave behind a mess and the lingering aftermath of smoke damage that leaves residents feeling defeated. But fear not! With a bit of research and preparation, you will be an expert at preventing fires and smoke damage in your home. Here are some savvy strategies for keeping your home safe:
Install smoke detectors
Install smoke alarms on every level of the house, including inside all bedrooms and outside each sleeping space. Alarms are interconnected, so if one goes off, the others do as well.
Clean your alarms monthly to remove any cobwebs and dust that might interfere with its sensors. Also, perform a monthly alarm test to ensure they’re in working order. To avoid false alerts, make sure all smoke alarms are at least ten feet from the kitchen. Finally, remember to replace your alarms every ten years to preserve their efficacy.
Secure flammable items
Flammable goods such as gasoline, propane, and cleaning chemicals should be stored in authorized containers away from any sources of heat or fire. Don’t forget about flammable items such as paper, cardboard, and textiles as well. Keep them away from anything that generates heat or has an open flame to reduce fire risk.
Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers serve to put out little flames before they become serious ones. Store extinguishers in easily accessible areas of your house, such as the kitchen and garage, as well as near possible fire dangers like the fireplace or electrical panel. Make sure everyone in your home knows how to use a fire extinguisher appropriately by using the PASS technique: Pull the pin, point it at the base of the flames, compress the handle, and sweep from side to side.
When to contact a smoke damage restoration team
By now, the battle against smoke damage might feel like an uphill climb. While smoke seems to have its grasp locked in on every part of your property, understanding its effects paves the way for strategic repair efforts.
In the unfortunate event of a fire, swift and thorough smoke damage restoration is a lifesaver — that’s where disaster restoration experts come in. These trained professionals wield specialized gear to effectively banish smoke residues, neutralize lingering odors, and restore your home to its former glory.
Contact Black Diamond Restoration for all your smoke damage restoration needs
If you’ve discovered the need for smoke damage restoration on the walls of your home or business, it’s crucial to reach out to the experts, especially if you’re uncertain about the duration of the damage.
Look no further than Black Diamond Restoration, the premier restoration firm for smoke, fire, water, mold, and sewage damage. With decades of experience in rebuilding homes and businesses, we possess the expertise and skill to restore damage to prior condition. Our approach is thorough, meticulous, and promises peace of mind knowing that your property has been properly restored.
We offer round-the-clock emergency services throughout Salt Lake and Utah counties. Reach out to us at 801.383.0964 or visit the Black Diamond website for further details. Let our pros take charge of repairing your home today, so you will rest assured that it’s in capable hands.
