Smoke & Soot Removal

Masonry and Concrete: The cleaning methods of soot and smoke damaged masonry and concrete would depend on its post-conditions:

Light: Block, brick and concrete with light smoke, and soot deposits could require dry sponging, vacuuming and washing with a mild detergent.

Moderate Block, brick, and concrete with moderate soot and smoke deposits could require dry sponging, vacuuming, and power washing.

Heavy: Block, brick and concrete with heavy soot and smoke deposits could require, pressure washing with a high pH degreaser, dry ice (CO2) or soda ash blasting. Sand blasting of brick, block, and concrete is not recommended due to its abrasives and destructive capabilities.

Before pressure washing, soot, and smoke deposits should be dry sponged, then vacuumed. Cracked masonry joints should be cleaned and re-pointed to prevent soot and smoke deposits from being driven within the masonry or concrete capillaries. This is most crucial when the soot and smoke deposits contain acid.

Fire-Rated Materials:

When performing mitigation or restoration services in structures containing fire-rated materials and/or assemblies, they should be inspected for post-fire conditions of; thermal expansion, heat disorder, charring, oxidation, corrosion, conduction, alloying and moisture content.

When fire-rated materials have been affected and their flame spread or fire-rating has been reduced, they shall be replaced.

When in doubt about the fire-rating of a building component or assembly, the manufacturer or a competent restoration person should be consulted.

Wood Framing: Wood framing systems are subject to charring, scorching, smoke, and soot damage. Smoke, soot and water should not affect the integrity of wood framing and can be remediated, while scorching and charring of wood framing could warrant its replacement.

Light to moderate smoke and soot deposits could be removed using a cellulose sponge and detergents. While moderate to heavy smoke and soot deposits could require corncob, dry ice or soda ash blasting.

Discoloration of wood framing materials after smoke and soot removal is limited to cosmetics and should not affect the integrity of the framing system, and can be sealed over. Exposed floor joists, rafters, trusses, etc. should be sealed using a clear or tinted sealer.

Scorched and charred framing lumber shall be replaced when the integrity of its intended design is jeopardized.

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