Dry Smoke vs. Wet Smoke

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot damage left after a fire is foul-smelling, unsightly, and, because it can penetrate areas that are not visible, is harder to eliminate.  When a fire hits your home or business, there are actually two types of smoke and soot that can affect you. They are referred to as wet smoke and dry smoke.  Depending on which one your home or business suffers, there are different resulting soot and residue types as well. The restoration process is different based on the type of smoke and soot damage present.

Dry smoke occurs when a fire burns at a high heat, and results from materials like wood and paper igniting.  This type of fire and smoke represents many fires that happen in homes and businesses alike. The visible soot left behind is thin and powdery. 

Wet smoke happens when materials such as plastic and rubber catching on fire.  The result is a fire that burns at low heat that smolders over time. This fire often has a much stronger odor and produces thicker and more voluminous smoke that coats rooms with a thick residue. This residue is much harder to clean than dry smoke residue.

As part of our inspection procedure, SERVPRO of Greenwich will test the soot to determine the type of smoke damage in your home or business.  Depending on what type of smoke damage you suffer, we will tailor the restoration process to your needs.