What is a Puff back?

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

When this happens to you give the experts at SERVPRO of Clarion, Jefferson & Forest Counties a call at 814 849-5653.

When you turn on your furnace, did you ever get black particles coming from your vents? That is called a puff back. These can arise when a furnace or oil burner malfunctions....oil is ignited and an "explosion" in the fire box occurs

The aftermath is usually the main problem. Walls, ceilings, carpets, furniture and curtains are coated with a fine film of soot and smoky streaks. As a rule, the damage is worse with a forced-air heating system or central air-conditioning, because the duct work provides a path through the house, even into closets.

What should you do first?  Call your insurance carrier.  Next call SERVPRO of Clarion, Jefferson & Forest Counties at 814 849-5653.

If you’ve had a puff back, you really don’t want to attempt cleanup by yourself. The soot from a puff back is a sticky, greasy, grimy mess second to none. And, it can present a severe health hazard in the place that’s supposed to be a haven – your home.

All those miniscule, oil based particles from a puff back embed themselves in curtains, carpets, and clothing while contaminating the air with dangerous carcinogens.

Cleaning up the mess is not a job for the amateur, but rather a professional cleaning company, like SERVPRO of Clarion, Jefferson & Forest Counties.  We use special techniques and materials. For example, attempts to wash soot off a flat-painted wall or ceiling usually leave greasy smears. SERVPRO of Clarion, Jefferson & Forest Counties uses waterless rubber sponges that work like an eraser and absorb the soot without spreading it.

Cleaning carpets, upholstery or draperies can be trickier. They must be washed or chemically cleaned, depending on the material and how dense the absorbed soot is. In extreme cases it may be impossible to remove stains or odors completely.

Be careful, cautious and call SERVPRO of Clarion, Jefferson & Forest Counties 814 849-5653. We will clean damaged homes, businesses and contents. Contents include furniture, blinds, carpets and more!

           Like it never even happened.