All About Soot

7/22/2019 (Permalink)

As defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, soot is “a black powder formed when something is burned : the very fine powder that colors smoke”.   Most of us know what soot is, but did you know there are various types of soot based on what has burned and what started the fire?  At SERVPRO of Mobile County, we clean each item based on its material composition as well as the type of soot.  In order to provide the best results, you must determine the type of soot before you begin the cleaning process to ensure the proper methods are used.  Contents may be affected by:

• Wet soot - results from an oxygen-starved, low smoldering fire with high moisture levels.   
• Dry soot - caused by high-heat, high oxygen fires with natural materials.
• Protein soot - typically a fire in the kitchen caused by overcooked meat.  This is usually hard to see but covers all surfaces with a sticky, hard to remove residue.

When it comes to cleaning up after a fire, even a small one, it is a job best left up to the experts. Our team has undergone extensive training to understand how each type of fire can leave behind its own calling card.  We have the tools and knowledge to make it "Like it never even happened."