SERVPRO can Handle Puffback!

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

Call Danielle 610-506-8919

Most of us have never heard of a puff back, unless you or someone you know has had this disaster occur in your home or business. A puffback occurs when an oil burner backfires and sends oily soot throughout your home or business.  This anomaly can happen if a boiler is older, not well-maintained, or just malfunctions for technical reasons. 

A puffback can occur all at once, covering every surface in a structure with soot particulate.  Or, it might be gradual and not result in soot on every surface in a home or business, only a room or two.  This is not a healthy situation and you should not touch or breathe the particulate that – like bus and other exhaust – can be carcinogenic for us, especially for our children, elderly relatives and pets.

You’ll know if you’ve had a puffback!  It is usually quite easy to tell.  Soot covers all areas of the home or business & may range from light to very heavy particulate in every nook and cranny. In some cases, it is a fine layer that just appears to be regular dust.  However, this "dust" can “re-appear” hours after you clean, and there’s usually a strong odor of oil in affected rooms.  At SERVPRO of West Chester & Southern Delaware County, we have certified technicians who can make it, "Like it never even happened."

You can prevent puffbacks in one easy way:  Your best precaution against a puffback is to have your oil burner inspected annually, so that it’s in good repair.  This is no guarantee against having a puff back, but it greatly reduces your risk.   Keep debris, animal hair or anything that could interfere with proper functioning away from your oil burner.

What to avoid and tips for not making a bad puffback worse:  Do not attempt to wash wallpapered or flat painted walls, clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Avoid touching things.  

What you should do first: 

    •    Notify your insurance agent or company immediately and tell them that you have your local SERVPRO restoration company on the way.

    •    Most insurance companies know SERVPROs and our certified disaster recovery companies, so schedule a free walkthrough with Danielle Mortimer at (610) 506-8919 and we'll work with the insurance adjusters and get them the pictures, data and measurements needed.

    •    Next, most home and business owners policies encourage you to clean or hire a qualified disaster response company right away, to help you clean your property, return to the home and get your life back quickly; talk to your local agent about who to call.  A puffback is soot and it is particulate and can be carcinogenic if a lot is inhaled.  You will have soot on every surface in your affected area.

    •    Have a qualified team begin cleaning all affected areas as soon as possible, to prevent more damage.

    •    Soot travels & will re-appear if it’s not completely removed.

Tips on what NOT to do:

    •    Do not attempt to wash wallpapered or flat-painted walls. (incorrect cleaning cab compound the soot residue problem)

    •    Do not try to clean carpets and upholstered furniture. Avoid touching things. (Soot on your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork causing further damage.)

    •    Try not to walk on flooring in affected area because you will grind in soot and make it harder to remove.

    •    Do not use wet cleansers on anything, especially fabrics or porous materials!

Plan to call in professionals for help, whether it's our SERVPRO or another restoration team that has background checked, certified staff to clean up, so you can quickly get your life back to normal!

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Call Danielle 610-506-8919