Signs of Smoke Damage You Can’t Ignore

The cooler, shorter days of winter offer the perfect excuse to embrace time indoors and engage in cozy activities with friends and family. For many, this means it’s time to set the fireplace, gather around the backyard bonfire, light candles for ambiance, and cook up a storm.

So many winter traditions revolve around warmth and flames; they inspire our favorite holiday carols: “The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful,” “chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” etc.

It’s no wonder that the incidence of residential fires is higher in the winter months. Despite how delightful the fire may be, it’s important to remember that even small, controlled fires like those in fireplaces or from candles can bring the overlooked hazard of smoke damage. Hidden smoke damage can harm your property and, worse, threaten your loved ones’ health.

Knowing the effects of smoke damage in your home, how to spot smoke damage, and the ways smoke remediation can keep your family and your property safe will help keep this winter season safe and joyous.

Why Is Addressing Smoke Damage Important?

The lingering smell after a fire isn’t just a nuisance—it’s often the result of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) clinging to surfaces. These VOCs, released during combustion, can settle on walls, ceilings, and furniture, continuously off-gassing harmful chemicals such as:

• Dioxins
• Benzene
• Formaldehyde
• PAHs

These substances may fade over time, but they pose health risks in the meantime, especially when warmed air triggers more off-gassing.

Even when there is no direct fire or visible smoke left in your home, residual smoke damage, known as “thirdhand smoke,” can still cause health problems, especially for children. Here are some of the ways thirdhand smoke can affect your family’s health:

• Respiratory Irritation: Residual smoke particles can irritate the respiratory system, especially for those with sensitivities.
• Eye and Skin Irritation: Touching smoky surfaces and inhaling off-gassed particles can lead to itchy eyes and skin discomfort.
• Harm to Children: Children are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of thirdhand smoke due to developing organs, weaker immune systems, and frequent hand-to-mouth contact, according to Jasmine Reese, M.D., director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Specialty Clinic at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
• Increased Risk of Cancer: There are over 250 cancer-causing chemicals that have been found in thirdhand smoke.

Air circulation or typical household cleaning won’t eliminate these persistent smoke particles from surfaces. If you have smoke damage in your home, it’s time to contact a professional smoke remediation company that has the tools to ensure a safe, smoke-free home.

The Top 4 Common Causes of Winter Smoke Damage

Winter brings an increased risk of indoor smoke damage due to the following sources:

1. Cooking Fires

Cooking fires remain the leading cause of home fires year-round, with even greater risk during winter when we spend more time indoors, cooking and entertaining.

2. Furnace Problems

Malfunctioning furnaces can lead to “puffbacks”—a sudden discharge of soot due to excess fuel. This soot can coat walls, ceilings, and other surfaces, causing widespread smoke damage.

3. Space Heaters

Improper use or placing space heaters too close to flammable objects can lead to fires and smoke damage.

4. Fire Places and Wood Stoves

Without proper ventilation, chimney cleaning, and creosote buildup prevention, fireplace fires can spread smoke damage throughout your home.

Other Potential Causes of Smoke Damage in Your Home

• Candle Usage: Unattended candles can cause fires, especially around flammable decorations.
• Electrical Issues: Faulty wiring or overloaded circuits can spark fires, particularly in older homes.
• Smoking Indoors: Increased indoor smoking during colder months can lead to smoke residue building up over time.

Lookout For These Signs of Smoke Damage

Knowing the signs of smoke damage can help you catch it early and seek remediation before it becomes a bigger issue.

Signs of Smoke Damage You Can See

Smoke damage can leave visible clues that signal the need for remediation. Here are some signs to watch for:

• Discoloration: Yellowish stains on walls or ceilings.
• Soot Deposits: Black or gray residue on surfaces.
• Charred or Peeling Paint: A result of high heat or smoke exposure.
• Warped or Bent Walls: Especially noticeable on wood surfaces.
• Cracked Vinyl: Vinyl floors or tiles may crack due to smoke damage.

Signs of Smoke Damage You Can Smell

The odor of smoke damage is often described as stale, acrid, and pervasive. Here are some characteristics:

• Acrid and Pungent: A sharp, biting smell that irritates the nose and throat.
• Lingering and Stubborn: Smoke odor persists in walls, furniture, and fabrics, resisting regular cleaning.
• Chemical Undertones: The presence of VOCs gives the odor a chemical quality.
• Sooty Residue: Black or gray residue left behind from smoke damage can contribute to the smell if disturbed.
• Variable Intensity: Odor strength depends on fire size, materials burned, and exposure duration.

If you notice persistent smoke odors in your home, it’s time for professional remediation.

Signs of Smoke Damage You CAN’T See

Not all smoke damage is visible or easy to detect. Here are some hidden places where smoke damage can linger:

• HVAC system contamination: Smoke particles can infiltrate the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, spreading the damage throughout the home.
• Electrical system: Inspect outlets, switches, and wiring for signs of damage or discoloration, as smoke can even affect electrical components.

How Professional Smoke Remediation Can Help

This winter, don’t let hidden smoke damage cast a shadow over your cozy gatherings and family traditions. Professional smoke remediation companies, like PENCO, have the expertise and tools to tackle smoke damage, even the kind that hides in those hard-to-reach spaces.

If you see, smell, or suspect smoke damage in your home, why risk exposing your family to these hazardous chemicals? With specialized methods for smoke odor removal, soot removal, and air duct cleaning, the team at PENCO will restore your home’s safety, freshness, and welcoming feel so you can enjoy the holiday season for years to come.

Restore Your Georgia Home from Winter Smoke Damage with PENCO

If fire, smoke, water, storm, or mold damage has impacted your property, trust PENCO Restoration to bring your home back to its best. Proudly serving Southeast Georgia, including Atlanta, Coweta County, Newnan, Moreland, and Oconee, we stand by our PENCO Promise—restoring your home to pre-loss condition with a commitment to 100% customer satisfaction.

Call PENCO at 770-308-8555 today to schedule an assessment online, and let us help you reclaim a safe, clean, and cozy space this winter.