Puffback

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Soot is one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution, if your home is affected please call SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island today at 718-979-4100

A puff back can incite when an oil burner doesn't ignite immediately causing oil fumes to build up before ignition, resulting in an explosion like the backfiring of a car.  Buildup of debris can also create an excessive explosion at ignition.  In either case, the explosion can shoot soot and debris through the furnace or boiler's exhaust system and into your home. 

If you have a forced air system (a hot air system as opposed to a hydroponic, or hot water, system) the problem will likely be worse as the heating ducts can spread soot into every corner of your home, with the same efficiency that they spread heat.  A puff back can be a chronic problem, with each ignition sending forth a small amount of soot that slowly accumulates on heating vents, ceilings, carpets or baseboards, or it can be a single sudden event that sends a large amount of soot through the heating system.

What Should You Do?

It is quite amazing how much the soot can cover - it goes everywhere!  It can even force you out of your home in some cases.  This soot is not just a powder-like substance, but it is also black and sticky and will include a mixture of oil that is difficult to clean.  This dirty residue needs to be cleaned as soon as possible!  Oil-based soot is extremely difficult to remove.  In addition to the soot, a puff back causes a foul odor to permeate your home.  So, what should you do?

• Assess the situation and the amount of damage that was done
• Wash all affected clothing and fabrics in the house - some may require professional dry cleaning
• Throw away all exposed food
• Call a repairman to fix the malfunctioning oil furnace
• Call a cleaning service to take care of the soot and chemicals

And that's where you need a puffback specialist to thoroughly clean and deodorize all affected items and SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island is available 24/7/365 to assist as this is just one of our many services!