Is It Dangerous to Live in a Home with Smoke Damage?

When your home has had a fire, you know it's necessary to get fire damage repair services. However, something else you should treat with as much importance as fire damage is smoke damage. Smoke is very invasive and can get into everything in your home, including furniture, walls and any space in your property. The soot leftover can cause damage to your belongings and the lingering odors are disagreeable. With the fire damage restorations we've done over the years, Paul Davis understands how irritating smoke damage can be, but we also know how hazardous it can be as well. It's critical for smoke damage to be taken care of correctly, because it isn't safe to remain in a location where a fire has occurred. Clearing out any remnants of smoke damage is just as crucial as taking care of fire damage. Smoke and soot that lingers can actually damage the health of everyone living inside the home. It isn't safe to live inside a house with smoke damage, even if all the smoke has been cleared away, there could still be soot and particles around that you can't see. That's why it's important to have a professional inspect your residence after you've had a house fire.

Health Exposures Involved with Residing in a Smoke Polluted Home

Carbon and tar are some of the byproducts from smoke, and if these are inhaled over a period of time, they can cause damage to your lungs. Carbon monoxide is a big problem to consider too. It's an extremely harmful gas that displaces oxygen in the blood when inhaled, which keeps oxygen away from the brain, heart and other organs. After your residence has experienced a fire, a professional can come by and examine the carbon monoxide levels in your home. Tar, carbon monoxide and other residue that are created from smoke contamination can cause some alarming health problems, these are comprised of:

  • Respiratory Issues – The ability to breathe can really be inhibited by smoke contamination. Even if the area is clear from smoke, the effects will still be lingering in your walls, furniture, carpet and any other open space that smoke can get into. If you come into contact with a smoke contaminated area, you're at risk of inhaling particles that were left behind. This can generate sinus and lung concerns which could lead to major health issues later.
  • Skin Damage – Because residue from fire and smoke can get embedded into your furniture, clothing and carpets, this can cause your skin to become irritated. This can be serious enough that lotion is unable to treat it.
  • Eye Irritation – Your eyes are sensitive to smoke damage, and when it sticks around in your house your eyes can get red, itchy and watery. It's vital to re-mediate the area of smoke contamination because if it is neglected, your eyes could suffer from it.

Fire Damage Restoration and Smoke Damage Elimination

No matter the size of the fire, smoke contamination can penetrate your residence. It isn't safe to stay in your house if there is smoke contamination. To prevent further harm to your well-being and your house, the expert team at Paul Davis is here to help. As fire damage repair experts, we know the importance of cleaning up smoke contamination. To get help from a local franchise, give us a call at (519)685-9595 today.