You’ve heard about soot. It’s a word that is often thrown around after a fire has occurred. As a homeowner, you’re bound to have a run-in with soot. After all, soot pollution can occur from something as simple as burning a candle or cooking at high temperatures. But what exactly is soot? What causes it and how can you prevent it in your home? Luckily, Rite Way Restoration is here to answer all your soot related questions. Check it out.

What Is Soot?

Soot is a type of particle pollution that is primarily made up of black carbon. It sometimes even contains trace levels of metal dust, chemicals, PCBs, and several other carcinogens. 

Usually, when carbon burns all the way through, very little residue is left. However, because soot is the product of incomplete combustion, or the incomplete burning of fossil fuels such as wood, oil, and coal, there are tiny black carbon particles that are left behind. 

What Does Soot Look Like?

Soot is fine, dust-like material that is brown or black in color. It is sticky and attaches itself to surfaces where combustion occurs. It is often found in places that burn – think chimneys, fireplaces, and furnaces. 

How Can You Tell If Something is Soot?

There are a few ways to determine if those spots in your house are soot. Check them out:

1. Smell: Most soot caused by combustion will have a charcoal or smoky smell.
2. Paper towel test: Place a little bleach on a paper towel and rub it on the substance. If the substance goes away, it’s probably mildew. If it doesn’t come out, it’s probably soot.

Not sure if a spot in your house is soot? No worries! Contact us at 614–295–8135 or email us at customerservice@rwrestoration.com and get answers today!

How Does Soot Damage Occur?

Though a common cause of soot, a house fire isn’t the only way the fine dusty material can appear in your house. Here are some other lesser known ways you can get soot damage in your home:

1. Constant candle usage: Everyone loves a good candle, but they are common culprits of creating soot. When you burn a candle too long or put it out incorrectly, the inner wax of the candle heats up and begins to evaporate very quickly, causing the flame to burn irregularly. The more the flame moves, the more likely it is to create soot.
2. Defective home furnaces: Lack of maintenance, clogged burners, and improper venting can cause combustion of by-products, which create soot.
3. Smoking tobacco or other substances indoors: Cigarette smoke behaves in the same way as the smoke caused by a fire. So, if you’re smoking indoors you can expect to have soot buildup in your home. 
4. Cooking at high temperatures: Constantly cooking at high temperatures without a ventilation system is a recipe for soot damage. When you’re cooking your favorite meal make sure you are turning on the kitchen fan or cracking open a window.
5. Poorly ventilated fireplaces: When a fireplace – yes, even a gas one – isn’t properly vented, the limit of airflow prevents smoke and other byproducts of combustion from being directed safely out of your home, resulting in soot covering your fireplace. 

Is Soot Dangerous?

The short answer: yes. This damage doesn’t just affect your home. Soot can have negative effects on both human health and the environment, that’s why it is important to stay safe and informed of the risks of allowing soot to linger in your home. 

In the human body, soot can cause a whole host of problems when we are exposed to it. This can happen via inhalation, indigestion, or exposure through the skin or eyes. Here is a list of some of the possible soot-related diseases and issues:

1. Asthma
2. Bronchitis
3. Coronary heart disease
4. Cancer

So, what are the effects of soot on the environment? We’ve listed some here:

1. Haze: Haze is the result of air pollution created by tiny pollution particles in the air. This not only affects the visibility but can affect you too. Haze particles can create acute symptoms such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and a feeling of tiredness and weakness. 
2. Acidification of lakes and rivers: The same compounds from soot that react in the air to form haze can mix with moisture in the air and make precipitation acidic. This precipitation is then carried by the wind or in the water, and in turn, worsens water quality by making lakes and rivers more acidic.

Is Soot Flammable?

Yes. Since soot is made from mostly carbon it is combustible, which means it is a fire hazard.

What Are the Types of Soot Damage?

Dry soot, caused by fires, maybe the most common type of soot, but it’s not the only one! Here is a list of types of soot damage, what causes them, and the difficulty of their removal from surfaces.

1. Dry soot: Dry soot or “dry smoke residues,” come from fires that burn fast and high. Dry soot is usually powdery and does not smear. This is the easiest type of soot to remove.
2. Wet soot: Wet soot, known as wet smoke residue, is much harder to remove. This type of soot is created from fires that burn slow and low. This type of soot tends to cause the strongest odors, The residue can also be sticky, and will smear on surfaces to cause further discoloration.
3. Oily soot: Oily soot, sometimes called an oily smoke residue, comes from grease fires, fuel, and burning plastic. Similar to wet soot, it is difficult to remove and is easily smeared.
4. Protein soot: This soot is created when food, typically meat is overcooked. The scent is extremely pungent and has long-lasting odors and the residue is virtually invisible but clings to all surfaces. This damage will require extensive cleaning to remove residues and get rid of the odor. 

How Do I Remove Soot?

You should leave soot removal up to the professionals like us! This is because soot and odor can trigger allergies and health issues or cause other health hazards. In addition to this, the acidic nature of smoke and soot makes cleanup extremely time-sensitive. This cleanup requires an efficient and thorough job – and we got you!

How We Solve Your Soot Problem

There are many different cleaning and deodorization practices to thoroughly remove soot and odor from your home. When we deal with odors from soot damage, our number one concern is getting to the source and removing it using different cleaning methods or demolition when possible. After the majority of the odor source is removed we can deodorize what structure is left, leaving your home smelling like it did before the soot damage. 

How Long Does Soot Removal Take?

This depends largely on the extent of the damage. For small fires, soot damage may only take 1-2 days to remove while more extensive damage could take up to a week or more to clean.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Rid Of Soot Damage?

To put it simply: It depends. 

An inspection would be needed to determine the severity of damage. To know the severity of damage, we take into consideration varying factors such as soot type, the location of the damage, and the amount of it. 

To get a hassle-free inspection, contact Rite Way Restoration using our 24/7 emergency service line at 614-295-8135 or request an estimate online. We’re ready to help!

Why Is Rite Way Restoration the Best Place To Go For Your Soot Damage?

Here are a few reasons why we know that you’ll be in good hands with us:

1. We are certified fire restoration experts.
2. We use the most advanced tools and equipment in the industry. 
3. We have over 30-plus years of experience.
4. We meticulously document the entire house fire damage restoration process and work together with your insurance company to alleviate some of your stress during this stressful and overwhelming time.
5. We put the highest value on open communication and customer service.