Puff Backs

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

This home experienced a puff back. You can clearly see the soot on the hallway carpet.

Furnace malfunctions are unfortunately all too common this time of year. Even with regular maintenance (which is highly recommended) malfunctions occur. One common fiasco is called a puff back. A puff back occurs when an oil burner doesn't ignite right away and as a consequence fumes build up in the furnace. The fumes cause an explosion inside the burner chamber, which vaporizes and expels soot throughout a home or business, covering walls, baseboards, furniture and floors in oily toxic soot.

Cleaning the soot requires professional care. If attempted without the proper tools, the oil can get smeared and embedded into the surface. Too many times SERVPRO of Wayne and South Lackawanna Counties was contracted after the homeowner attempted to self-clean and made a bad situation worse. Do not attempt to clean a puff back. Call a professional restoration company to limit damage and restore the property to pre-damage condition.