Hey Alexa! Tell me about the different types of soot.

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

Our clients might know the difference between wet and dry soot, but don't worry; our SERVPRO of Lake of the Ozarks team does!

One of our Digital Marketing Support Coordinators, Jacob, had an opportunity to attend a CE Class, Understanding the Restoration Industry: Property Fire Damage Restoration. One of the biggest takeaways was learning about the different types of soot and how they are created. Our team of professionals knows what to look for in soot damage to be able to restore a client’s content/property accurately.

Wet Soot

You can find wet smoke residue in fires smoldering at low temperatures with little oxygen. If you don’t look at soot damage on regular bases, soot damage might look the same to you. Our team of professionals can use the most helpful tools, our nose, to figure out what type of soot we are working with. Wet smoke residue is sticky and smeary, accompanied by a pungent, acrid odor.

Dry Soot

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have dry soot damage from an oxygen-rich fire. These types of fire are fast-burning which produces lighter soot particles but causes more damage to surfaces. A fire that produces dry soot contains a less intense scent than the wet smoke residue. 

Protein Soot

We have all done it, we will be cooking, and something pulls you away from the stove. Next thing you know, the smoke alarm is going off, and you are rushing to deescalate the situation. Protein soot is created by fires that start from overcooked meat. If the burnt roast leaves you stumped, another indicator of this damage is the pungent odor that will stick around and linger. Our SERVPRO team knows that this type of soot requires extensive cleaning to remove any trace of residue to achieve deodorization. 

Often when our clients return to their property after a fire, they feel overwhelmed. Soot damage to them might come across as a complete loss, but our team here at SERVPRO of Lake of the Ozarks aren’t as easily convinced. Our team understands the steps needed to restore the contents/property back to the preloss condition.