Restoring a Damaged Fireplace in Port Jefferson

8/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO advises Port Jefferson homeowners to inspect chimneys and flues before "firing up" the fireplace.

How Our Port Jefferson Fire Damage Team Restored This Fireplace

Opening your flue allows oxygen into the fireplace, letting it burn more efficiently. It also decreases the amount of carbon dioxide and smoke in the room by channeling it through the dampers- small steel shutters inside your chimney. Forgetting to open the flue before igniting your fire could cause emissions to back up, resulting in soots and smoke being forced out from your fireplace.

One of the customers who forgot to open their flue caused severe fire damage in Port Jefferson. Their main concern was that their stunning stone fireplace had taken the brunt of the damage. A wholesale replacement could have cost thousands of dollars to remove the existing fireplace, order a new one and install it. Our team rectified much of the damage using SERVPRO's patented Mason cleaner.

By phoning professionals, this customer ensured that no further damage was caused. Most household cleaners are unable to remediate thick smoke or soot damage effectively. Attempting to clear away soiling from a fire like this could have resulted in spreading soot around, causing harm to floors, walls, and masonry. SERVPRO technicians are equipped with the expertise and the equipment to give your home the best chance of returning to its pre loss condition.

As you can see, most of the damage sustained was confined to the upper half of the fireplace. That's because smoke rises upwards, traveling into clean air pockets. There is a heavy soot deposit because the shut flue increased the air pressure inside the chimney. High-pressure fires cause more problems because smoke residues are forced deeper into the surface and can eat away at the finish.

We needed to use an aggressive cleaning product to tackle the heavy set soot but also one that was non-corrosive and would not damage the finish of the stone behind it. Our technicians have access to a full range of chemical agents, including patented cleaners that are not readily available. Using SERVPRO's mason cleaner, we successfully restored the damage and saved the customer from an expensive replacement. "Like it never even happened."

Fireplace restoration is just one of many services we can provide to return your home to preloss conditions. Contact SERVPRO of Port Jefferson at (631) 476-5300.