3 Reasons Not to Clean Up Soot Yourself | SERVPRO® of Kingston/New Paltz

6/25/2018 (Permalink)

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From revamping the kitchen to installing a new appliance, DIY home improvements make great weekend projects for the entire household. However, not everything can be tackled on your own, even for the handiest of homeowners.

If you’ve been affected by a fire, it can be tempting to immediately start the restoration process, but this hasty procedure can often hurt more than it helps. Many people don’t understand the nuances that go into soot removal. That’s why we’ve listed three reasons it should not be a DIY project:

1. Soot Won’t Stay Put. Because soot goes airborne, it doesn’t remain contained to the area the fire originated in. Soot travels into crevices, nestles on ceilings and even infiltrate your HVAC system. Additionally, absorbent things such as fabrics, carpets or upholstery are a soot magnet. While it might be tempting to launder these items and scrub down the walls right away, improper cleaning can actually lead to ruining your belongings beyond repair.

2. Soot Composition Can Vary. Because every fire is different, soot can vary greatly in its composition. While some soot has a powdery texture, others can be thick and viscous. Appearances can be deceiving, and it’s impossible to know what type of soot you’re dealing with before you interact with it. Tackling soot without knowing what type is on your hands means you run the risk of spreading it further—leading to more costly damage to your valuable home.

3. Soot Can Contain Toxic Chemicals. Fires require chemicals to stay active, and all of those chemicals are contained in soot. Carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen are big factors, but there are also chemicals released from every material that was affected by the flames. Materials such as plastics, textiles and paint can be extremely toxic once heated, and improper soot cleaning causes these toxins to be re-released into the air.

If you’ve been affected by a fire, don’t risk a DIY disaster. SERVPRO® of Kingston/New Paltz has a fire restoration team that can get your life back to normal, faster.