Smoke damage is one of the most difficult types of damage to repair. The soot and odor can penetrate any porous material, including wood, carpeting, drywall, and insulation. Even nonporous materials, such as metals and glass, can be stained by smoke. Take a look at a few ways smoke can damage your home. 

Direct Smoke Damage

Smoke damage is typically categorized as either direct or indirect. Direct smoke damage occurs when soot and smoke particles come into direct contact with surfaces. It can have effects such as disfiguring or discoloring the surfaces.

This type of damage is usually visible and can be cleaned using various methods, including vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, or using a mild detergent. Vacuuming helps remove soot from surfaces and can be used on upholstered furniture, carpets, and drapes. Wiping down with a damp cloth can remove soot from nonporous surfaces, such as countertops and cabinets.

Mild detergents can be used on both porous and nonporous surfaces. However, it's important to test the detergent on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it won't damage the surface.

Indirect Smoke Damage

Indirect smoke damage is caused by the fumes produced by burning materials. It occurs when soot and smoke particles settle on surfaces or are absorbed into materials. This type of damage is often not visible and can be more difficult to clean.

Porous materials, such as wood, carpeting, and drywall, can absorb soot and smoke particles. These fumes can penetrate into cracks and crevices, making it difficult to remove all the soot and odor. This can cause the materials to discolor along tight seams and in small crevices.

To mitigate this type of damage, a smoke damage restoration professional will often use a technique known as thermal fogging. Thermal fogging creates a dense fog that penetrates into all the nooks and crannies where soot and smoke particles have settled. The fogging agent used in this process contains a solvent that breaks down the molecules of the smoke, making it easier to remove the odor.

Do-it-yourself smoke damage cleaning methods, such as using a household cleaner or a water-based solution, are not as effective at removing the odor. These methods may even cause damage to the surfaces being cleaned.

Nonporous materials, such as metals and glass, can also be affected by indirect smoke damage. The particles can cause a film to form on the surface of the material, which can be difficult to remove with conventional cleaning methods.

Here, a professional might need to first remove the film before attempting to clean the surface. They could use a process called media blasting, which uses a high-pressure stream of water or sand to remove the film. Other times, they might need to use chemicals to dissolve the film.

Contact a local smoke damage restoration service to learn more.