Most people think a fire in another house close by won’t affect their property. However, this is not true. Seeing fire engines pull in your neighborhood and your neighbors screaming for help can be a traumatic experience, but the actual damage comes after the fire has been extinguished.

Smoke damage and soot damage will not only be a problem for your neighbor’s house but also your house, and you might be wondering how? This article explains how your house and family members can be affected by this fire and what to do to prevent this damage to your home.

However, if the damage is already done, then reach out to a reputable restoration company to fix the damage. At 911 Restoration, we have the latest equipment and techniques to fix soot damage quickly and make it safe living in your home again. Our services are available 24/7!

How Will Soot Reach Your Home?

Even if the fire is not in your home, the after-effects such as soot in the air can easily reach and affect your property. The worst way soot can destroy your home contents is to get in through the HVAC systems, open windows and doors, small cracks in walls, or the property’s foundation.

Soot particles are fine and microscopic, and that is why they go undetected by the naked eye. It may seem you are safe, but if you smell something smoky in the house, know smoke and soot have already reached your place.

Risks Of Soot Particles In The Air

Soot particles affect not only the property but also the health of people living in that place. A high concentration of soot in your home can trigger the following symptoms in your family.

Symptoms such as runny nose, burning eyes, cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing may result if the person has inhaled soot particles from the contaminated air.

Most importantly, for people with lung disease or weak lungs, soot inhalation may trigger symptoms of asthma and severe breathing problems.

People with severe heart disease may experience more serious symptoms after inhaling soot, such as chest pain, palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

If any of the symptoms prolong, then immediately take them to the hospital emergency for treatment and evacuate the house until it is safe for you and your family to live in.

Areas Where Soot in The Air Can Sneak Into

1.     Bedding and Clothing in Bedrooms

Yes, it surprisingly can! You might be wondering how a neighborhood fire can damage the bedding in your bedroom and clothes in your cupboards but remember, soot is highly invasive. Soot can easily travel through vents and around the house.

If you don’t take any action against it quickly, it can reach your bedroom through vents and invade your clothes through cupboard cracks. The best way to remove soot is to wash your clothes multiple times.

2.     The Furniture in Your Home

If you spot any discoloration on your wooden furniture, then know that it is soot damaged and it has invaded your home. To remove soot, make sure to use the correct cleaning agents or call a professional restoration company to restore your furniture after smoke damage.

3.     Upholstery and Curtains

If your windows were opened for too long after the neighborhood fire, then the chances of soot damage to your home are high. The particles can quickly embed within the fabric materials of curtains, carpeting, and upholstery.

If you notice a smoky smell coming from your curtain, then this is a sure sign that the curtains have been damaged. Take action right away because the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to remove soot particles.

4.     Metal objects

Metal furniture or metal equipment in your property can also be damaged due to soot. Objects made of brass, steel, or iron will soon start to tarnish due to soot, and if you want to save your expensive furniture or equipment from getting destroyed, take action right away and call 911  Restoration.

5.     Walls

If you live too close to the house that caught fire, then the walls of your home will start to turn yellow because of the high concentration of soot in the air. It is not always easy to restore walls, but you can call professional services for help.

6.     Hardwood Floors

Floors made of wood are porous, and this means the soot in the air can settle onto it after the fire damage in your neighborhood. If the damage is visible, you can clean it yourself using special detergents made for wooden floors.

When to Call 911 Restoration?

With soot damage, the sooner you act, the better. The best way to deal with the effects of soot damage to your property is to call a professional restoration company in Murfreesboro. At 911 Restoration, we have experienced soot damage specialists who know about repairing and cleaning soot damaged materials in your property. Call us at (615) 552-7722 for our services.