Furnace Puffbacks: Soot Cleaning

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

Cleaning and removal of oily soot, if not performed properly, can result in damaging household surfaces and belongings.

SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties handles cleanup and restoration following a wide variety of disasters, mishaps, and events within a property. Fire, water, biohazard, sewage, and mold to name a few. One type of occurrence you may not be familiar with is what is referred to as a puffback.

A puffback occurs within an oil-fired heating system, (gas-fire systems as well but more commonly oil) when the burner does not properly ignite, and results in a minor explosion within the combustion chamber of the furnace. This leads to the oily smokey residue, or soot, to pass through the home's heating system and affected the building's interior. The damage can vary in severeness from a light discharge to a heavy, thick coating of soot on ceilings, walls, floors, and belongings. 

It is important to have your heating source serviced yearly by a HVAC professional. With regular maintenance and attention, puffbacks can be avoided.

Improper cleaning of soot and oily residue can result in staining and may cause damage to household belongings and materials. In the event you experience a puffback in your home or commercial property, be sure to contact the cleaning and restoration experts at SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties. We're here to help!