The Role of Filtration Agents When Repairing Fire Damage in Caswell Beach

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

Our experience with Odor Removal can Help with Fire Damage Remediation in Your Home

One of the biggest responsibilities of fire damage restorers is matching the methods to the environment. It is of particular importance when picking the right deodorizing formulas and chemicals. There is such a thing as ‘one fits all’ for eliminating acrid smoke odors in a home. 

There are several substances that SERVPRO® can use to tackle fire damage in Caswell Beach properties and neutralize bad smells. Some of the most common are absorption and filtration agents. They are designed to either filter the unclean air or absorb water from the air while re-odorizing the space at the same time.

There are two main types of filtration/absorption agents used by fire damage technicians. 

Sorbents 

Most sorbents are made up of three primary ingredients – sodium sulfate (the inert carrier), sodium bicarbonate (the absorptive compound), and a fragrance-emitting substance. They have a limited impact, so SERVPRO® never uses them alone. Normally, they get combined with more potent deodorizers and (sometimes) masking agents. 

They are most effective on short-pile carpets because longer fibers can end up trapping sorbents and making them difficult to vacuum later. While this is useful for the eradication of smoky odors, it is not good for a carpet to be in contact with these chemicals for too long. 

Activated Charcoal 

The other option is activated charcoal. Rather than being absorbent, it is actually AD-sorbent. The difference is that instead of drawing odor particles into their chemical structure, they cause them to stick to the outside. 

Activated charcoal is a type of high-grade wood, which gets treated with super-heated air (more than 600 degrees Fahrenheit). It causes the wood to expand, and the surface area of the material substantially increases. The bigger the size, the more odor particles the charcoal can pick up. 

This substance is a common part of filtration deodorization procedures. Odors get eradicated by drawing affected air through filters of charcoal. These filters neutralize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via adsorption. In some cases, SERVPRO® then re-odorizes the fire-damaged space by introducing a pleasant fragrance. 

SERVPRO® of Brunswick and South Columbus Counties has spent many years serving homeowners in the Caswell Beach area. We have all the skills and expertise you need to get rid of smoke and soot for good. Call us 24/7 at (910) 755-6717 for fast, reliable fire damage repairs.