Soot and smoke damage: the invisible damage after a fire

With a fire, everyone thinks of flames. But much of the real damage is caused by soot, smoke and odour — and it is precisely this that is regularly underestimated in a first assessment.

Soot damage

Soot consists of fine, greasy particles that settle in and on everything: in equipment, behind cupboards, in upholstered furniture and in ventilation ducts. It is aggressive and difficult to remove; superficial cleaning is often not enough.

Smoke and odour damage

The smell of smoke penetrates deep into textiles, wood and walls. Sometimes something looks clean, yet the odour keeps coming back. Professional cleaning or replacement is then needed — a cost item that can easily be forgotten.

Damage to electronics

Appliances may still ‘work’ after a fire, yet fail prematurely all the same due to soot and corrosion inside. This latent damage should be included in the assessment.

Tip — Do not throw anything away, and do not simply have soot-contaminated items cleaned before they have been inspected. Have the full extent of the soot, smoke and odour damage charted professionally.