Puff Backs are a Pain

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Buying a new house? Cleaning up your home after the long winter?

Are you noticing black soot buildup above your heaters, on your walls, ceiling, area above your stove?

Your home could have endured a puff back and maybe you didn’t notice it or the smell until you started moving things around, or maybe you did, and you didn’t know what to do.

What is a puff back?

Puff Backs happen when your ignition misfires and oil fumes accumulate in the chamber of your furnace. When the pilot light ignites again it causes a small “explosion" shooting the dust and soot in your ducts or baseboard all over the room and up the walls. The soot gets into everything including drapes, blinds, furniture, bedding, clothing, floors, carpets, dishes, appliances, you name it, causing major headaches for homeowners. The damage could be smaller than that and can still affect your home. If you notice black soot accumulating on carpet around heating vents or baseboard, or on surfaces inside your home, chances are you are experiencing a small-scale puff back.

Soot is very difficult to clean. It can’t be wiped off with a regular sponge, towel, paper towel, etc. in fact that just makes the problem worse! The cleaning of soot requires special sponges and cleaning products that are used by professionals. The smell is almost worse than the mess, it seems to permeate into everything. This odor is difficult to remove and requires the services of a professional to remove as well.

A professional certified home restoration company such as SERVPRO of Salem County is experienced with handling puff back situations.

Hiring a professional like SERVPRO of Salem County right after a puff back can save you time and money.

      Call SERVPRO of Salem County at (856) 339-0500