Smoke is an inevitable byproduct of fires. Although we think of it as simply a dark cloud, smoke also contains finely dispersed liquids and gasses. In fact, the most dangerous components of smoke are the invisible gasses present during a fire.

After the fire, the gasses disperse but the smoke solids and liquids remain on exposed surfaces. These deposits are called smoke residue "  rather than "smoke" because they are no longer the same as they were during the cloud of smoke resulting from the fire.

Smoke residues vary in character. Some appear as dry particles, others as smeary flakes, and still others appear as sticky liquids. The type of residue depends on the items that were burned and their rate of combustion.  Smoke residues such as these often emit obnoxious odors that persist long after the fire.

In typical residential fires the introduction of outside air by direct ventilation will quickly lower odor levels as well as allergic reposes to these odors. Complete  and permanent return to normal pre-damage conditions requires both removal of burned components and the use of effective cleaning procedures. The use of appropriate detergents will neutralize and remove smoke odors.

Occasionally  smoke residues  will penetrate finishes or stain absorbent materials. These are permanent changes. Because smoke residues are often acidic, prompt removal from exposed metal is crucial in order to minimize corrosion.

Contact us at 281-890-7500 if you require an expert assessment of your smoke damaged belongings.