You’re familiar with the phrase, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” This saying perfectly demonstrates how much more is involved with a fire than just the immediate urgency of the flames.

Anyone who hasn’t experienced fire damage firsthand may assume that the destruction is limited to whatever the flames touch. However, anything in the vicinity, even on the other side of a wall, can incur damage from the resulting smoke.

While each is destructive in its own way, smoke and fire create different challenges for property owners recovering after a blaze. Take a closer look at the difference between smoke and fire damage to help you understand why they require a vastly different cleanup approach.

Fire Damage

Fires can spread quickly, depending on what is burning, the temperature in the area, and how enclosed the space is. Structural damage and loss of personal belongings may be unavoidable. In some cases, the damage may be a complete loss, reducing the affected items to nothing but ash.

Other times, fire-damaged belongings may be salvageable. For instance, if the flames only touch a part of a structure or object, removing the burned portion and replacing it with new materials may be possible.

Keep in mind that any food exposed to the heat of a fire is longer safe to eat, even in the case of canned or jarred food. The contents may appear untouched, but the heat can activate bacteria that quickly spoil the food. When in doubt, throw it out.

Smoke Damage

While fire damage is often immediately apparent, it can be more difficult to determine the extent of smoke damage. After all, smoke has more far-reaching effects beyond the immediate area where the flames burned. Just think about how your clothes can smell smoky after sitting by a campfire, and you’ll understand this concept.

Lingering odors are the first clue that you have smoke damage. Smoke can permeate any porous material, including drywall, carpet, vinyl flooring, wood furniture, clothing, and more. If left unaddressed, smoke residue can stain walls, countertops, tile grout, and wood finishes. The acids in soot residue can even corrode metal.

Effective smoke and soot restoration requires a combination of odor removal and deep cleaning. The sooner you begin the cleanup process after a fire, the better your chances of returning your building to its pre-incident condition.

Recover from Smoke and Fire Damage

If you need fire and smoke restoration services, look to DKI. We can arrive on the scene within two hours of your call to assess the damage, secure your property, and provide a comprehensive cleanup plan before the job gets underway. We understand the intricacies involved with cleaning up fire and smoke damage, which is why we use the industry’s best tools and techniques to ensure a smooth, cost-effective cleanup.

For answers to your questions or to request services in your area, please call our fire damage restoration company at 844.345.2255 or contact us online. We serve residential and commercial property owners across the United States.