Fire Damage - Can it be Cleaned?

7/10/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damages can present different cleaning and restoration situations depending on how elements interact as the fire progresses. Here are some factors you should consider to determine how difficult it will be to remove smoke residues.

Type of Surface: Porous surfaces allow particles and odor to penetrate further and are much more difficult to clean. Nonporous surfaces such as vinyl wall coverings and glossy, enamel paint are easier to clean than flat latex paint or paper wall coverings. Synthetic fibers can attract greater concentrations of residue than natural fibers, but usually synthetics clean better than natural fabrics.

Age of Surface: Generally, the older the surface, the harder it is to clean. This holds true whether the surface is paint, fabric, or carpet. For example, as older paint deteriorates, it becomes more porous and its adhesion to the surface is weakened.

Amount of Heat: The hotter the fire, the harder it will be to clean surfaces. Heat causes surfaces to expand and become more porous. Residue and odors can penetrate all surfaces more effectively. Heat can also char materials or melt and bubble finishes. In these cases, cleaning alone will not restore the surfaces. Refinishing will be required.

Amount of Moisture: Moisture sets residues and makes them more likely to stain surfaces permanently. In fires where sprinklers were activated or surfaces were saturated as firefighters were fighting the fire, residues will be much more difficult to clean. Damp weather and walls that are damp from condensation also help set residues. Moisture and heat can combine with smoke residues to cause surfaces to become yellowed.

Type of Material Burned: Burned synthetic materials produce residues much more difficult to remove than burned natural materials. Plastics and rubber create wet, smeary residues that can stain surfaces. Wood and other natural materials leave a drier residue that is easier to clean.

Air Pressure: Hot air expands. As the temperature of air increases, the volume of air increases. Expanding air creates pressure that can drive soot into cracks and crevices, making cleaning difficult.

Impingement: As the temperature of air becomes hotter, the air movement becomes more turbulent. This turbulent air moves with greater velocity through a structure and collides with surfaces. The sharp collisions of smoke residues splattering on vertical surfaces is called "impingement," and may leave residues that are more difficult to remove. 

Temperature Change: Smoke residues may cause some types of damage due to heat changes. If residues contain hot oils and are cooled quickly due to temperature change, the residues may form a film on a surface that is difficult to clean.