What is Soot?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary , soot is defined as “a black substance formed by combustion or separated from fuel during combustion, rising in fine particles, and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke.” In other words, soot is the product of incomplete combustion; since it’s a sticky substance, it tends to adhere to the location where this incomplete combustion occurred. There are a variety of sources that can contribute to soot appearing on your walls, including but not limited to:
- Candles.
- Fireplaces.
- Exhaust from a car in a garage, which is adjacent to the affected wall.
- Space heaters.
- Dust, dirt, and cooking oils.
- External factors such as smoke from a nearby factory.
Tips to Clean Your Walls
- Ventilate the area to remove excess soot and odor.
- Wear household dish gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants to avoid direct soot or ash contact with skin. If contact occurs, wash off soon as possible.
- Wear a dust mask such as an N-95 .
- Use a dehumidifier to control moisture in the air.
- Use a dry chemical sponge to remove as much as soot as you can. This will help prevent soot from embedding deeper into the wall, where it can show up as a permanent stain.
- Follow with a low-alkali detergent, then rinse.
- Board-up and roof tarping services are implemented, if necessary.
- Restoration is completed, which may involve minor repairs or full-scale reconstruction . Our goal is to return your property to pre-loss condition.
For more information on our services and the cleanup and restoration industry, visit our FAQ and Glossary .
Sources:
https://www.abe.iastate.edu/extension-and-outreach/black-streaks-ghosting-on-walls-aen-174/
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/safety/how-to-clean-up-smoke-soot-from-fire.pdf