What Happens When The Smoke Clears?
To refurbish a smoke or fire damaged home and return it to its original
condition, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
(IICRC) recommends that you contact a professional who is certified in
fire
and smoke damage restoration. Homeowners may be tempted to perform complete
clean up on their own, but many times this can make conditions worse.
Professional restoration technicians
are always time conscious. They know that damage increases and restoration
costs escalate the longer neutralization, corrosion control and cleaning is
delayed. When homeowners prolong the restoration of their home, they extend the
effects brought on by the smoke exposure. Below is a timeline of the effects of
fire and smoke on a home.
Within Minutes
Acid soot residues cause plastics to yellow; small appliances located close to
the source of combustion discolor; highly porous materials (marble, alabaster)
discolor permanently.
Within Hours
Acid residues stain grout in bathrooms; fiberglass bath fixtures yellow; metals
tarnish, counter tops may yellow; finishes on appliancĀes, particularly
refrigerators that extend into the heat line, may yellow; furniture finishes may
discolor.
Within Days
In time, acid residues cause painted walls to yellow permanently; metal
corrodes, pits and rusts; wood furniture requires refinishing; vinyl flooring
requires refinishing or replaceĀment; clothing becomes soot stained; upholstery
stains permanently.
Within Weeks
Restoration costs escalate tremendously. Synthetic carpet fibers may yellow or
discolor permanently; silver plate is corroded permanently; glass, crystal,
china may require replacement due to severe etching and pitting caused by
prolonged exposure to acid soot residues.
Cleaning up soot residue must be done as quickly as possible. During combustion
soot residue is carried by humidity, volatile vapors and air currents to
surfaces throughout a structure, and deposited. This deposition process occurs
repeatedly until combustion ends, with soot residue building up on surfaces
layer-by-layer. By the time restoration technicians arrive, the hardened,
lacquer-like soot residue may be quite difficult to dissolve and remove.
About IICRC
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
(IICRC) is an ANSI accredited non-profit certifying body for the flooring
inspection, floor covering and specialized fabric cleaning and disaster
restoration industries. Organized in 1972, the IICRC currently represents more
than 4,300 Certified Firms and more than 41,000 Certified Technicians in 30
countries. The IICRC, with participation from the entire industry, sets
standards for inspection, cleaning and disaster restoration. IICRC does not own
schools, employ certified firm, produce training materials, or promote specific
product brands, cleaning methods or systems. It approves schools and certified firm
that meet the criteria established by the IICRC. IICRC also serves as a consumer
referral source for Certified Firms and Inspectors.