Smoke damage causes a lot of damage to the home when a fire takes place, depending on the type of fire that had taken place. The main types of smoke damage are:
Dry smoke damage – dry smoke residue occurs when there is a fast burning fire at very high temperatures. It is dry and powdery and does not usually stain walls and pale surfaces. Synthetic soot will be very black in colour and soot from burnt wood will be grey to light black in colour.
Wet smoke damage – wet smoke residue occurs when there is a low heat smouldering fire at low temperatures. This type of smoke can smear and has a pungent odour.
Protein smoke damage – protein smoke residue is often invisible and can tarnish and discolour paint and varnish. It can sometimes be faint yellow in colour and it does have a very strong odour.
Fuel/Oil smoke damage – fuel oil smoke or soot residue is very dark in colour and is caused by puff backs or blockages to exhausts. This smoke or soot can be released in very large quantities.
Other types of smoke or soot damage – these types of residue can include tear gas, fingerprint powder, and carbon dioxide fire extinguisher residue.