Steps To Take After a Furnace Puffback in Your Office

12/31/2019 (Permalink)

Puffback damage in Wilshire Heights, TX

An oil furnace is a necessity for your Wilshire Heights, TX, office during the cold winter months. However, if the appliance malfunctions, it can cause puffback damage to the building.
A furnace puffback is an explosion of soot that goes through the furnace's exhaust system and into your office. It can be caused by a buildup of oil fumes or debris within the furnace.
You may be tempted to clean up this excess soot yourself. Yet you are better off calling restoration specialists.

What To Do Following a Puffback

There are four main steps you should follow after a puffback:

1. Assess the Damage

Once it is safe to return to the building, look around to see how far the soot spread. Don’t forget to check any furniture or appliances.

2. Contact Your Insurance Provider

Your commercial insurance policy likely covers puffback damage. Report the loss to the insurer immediately so you can get reimbursed for the cost of repairs.

3. Call an HVAC Specialist

Puffback may be a sign of a larger problem with your furnace. If this issue is not properly treated, it can cause additional fire damage to your building. You should thus have an HVAC technician inspect and repair the furnace as soon as possible.

4. Call Restoration Professionals

You may associate restoration experts with fire or water damage. However, they can also remove soot following a puffback. They can deodorize and decontaminate affected areas, as well.
Why You Shouldn’t Clean the Soot Yourself
On the surface, puffback damage seems relatively easy to handle on your own. However, furnace soot is sticky and contains oil that is hard to remove. It could even spread to your ducts or hide inside drawers and closets. Only cleanup and restoration specialists will have the proper tools to remove the soot from your property.
A broken oil furnace does not just cause smoke damage. It can also lead to puffback that spreads soot throughout your office. Thankfully, professional cleaners can return your building to its prior condition.