Smoke and Soot Restoration in Colorado Springs and Leadville, CO
Long after a fire has been put out, it can still threaten your
household and the people living in it with the
smoke damage that
it leaves behind. Lingering odors, blackened surfaces and
malfunctioning electronics are a few results of smoke damage.
KW Construction and Restoration is exactly that: we offer
smoke odor removal
and
home restoration
services in the Central Colorado area. We have the tools, knowledge
and experience that it takes to eliminate all traces of smoke in your
home or building in the wake of a fire.
The Hidden Dangers of Smoke Damage
As fire consumes wood, textiles, synthetic material and plastics, it
creates thick plumes of smoke that spread throughout the burning
structure. Smoke is a by-product of incomplete combustion and it
carries gaseous chemicals as well as particulate matter (soot). As the
smoke travels through your home, the chemicals and soot it carries
cling to walls, floors, ceilings, clothes, furniture and appliances.
Even after cleaning up with traditional materials, unseen traces of
smoke stays locked deep in tiny crevices and fibers of whatever it
came in contact with.
Smoke is usually caustic in nature. Little by little, its residue can
eat away at the surfaces where it landed. It can also be toxic and
irritating, which makes it a threat to humans and pets who move back
into a building after a fire.
Below is a list of damages that smoke can create if not completely removed
after a fire:
-
Corrosion of metal house parts – Iron can weaken with
rust when constantly exposed to water. When a fire occurs and caustic
substances are added to the mix, the rusting process becomes even more
rapid.
-
Appliance Failures – Appliances have plenty of
sensitive metal parts in them. When smoke passes through their ventilation
and exhaust panels, it can come in contact with printed circuit boards and
other critical components. Over time, the soot and chemicals aid corrosion,
destroying your electronics from within.
-
Damage to artwork – Artwork can suffer profound
damage when exposed to thick smoke and left untreated afterwards. Paintings
can be ruined by paint discoloration. The same goes for stone sculptures
which can develop color irregularities over time. Smoke and soot’s
corrosive particles can also get trapped in tiny pores on the surfaces of
sculptures, weakening them and making them more susceptible to chipping and
breakage.
-
Weaker woodwork – Wooden floors, walls, ceilings and
furniture can degenerate under the corrosive influence of soot and smoke
particles left behind after a fire.
-
Respiratory disorders – Coughing and breathing
difficulties can come as a result of prolonged exposure to lingering smoke
and soot. Children and senior citizens are more at risk to suffer from this
effect. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma may
also find themselves having more trouble in breathing than usual.
-
Skin irritation – Itching, redness and allergy
attacks can happen when soot gets in contact with sensitive skin. While
floors and walls can sometimes look clean, very tiny particles may be hidden
in hard-to-reach areas. Similarly, soot can circulate in the air days after
a house has been cleaned up in a post-fire scenario.
-
Psychological and emotional stress – House fires can
be very traumatic to those who witness them up close. The lingering
smoke odor
can serve as a constant reminder of the unfortunate events to those who
experienced it, giving them additional stress long after the fire has
happened.
Where There's Smoke, There's Soot.
Soot is a fine powder carbon residue that is sticky and can easily stains
carpets, furniture, and other household items. Beyond cosmetic damages to personal
belongings, soot inhalation is potentially very dangerous and can cause severe
respiratory issues.
To remove the smell of smoke and any remnants of soot from your household,
call us at 719-301-3737. Our courteous and professional representatives are ready
to take your call at any time. You can also leave a message on the
Contact Us page to
get assistance. All our inspections and cost estimates are for free, so reach
out to us now and we’ll get you on the fast lane to restoring your home
to its pre-fire conditions.
