When the Furnace Puffs Back

1/29/2020 (Permalink)

Many Sussex County homeowners will find themselves eager to turn up heat as the weather grows colder. Precautions should be taken when firing up your heater for the first time. A puff back could result if your heating system has not been inspected or cleaned for over a year.

What is a Puff back? Puff backs are messy expulsions of soot and smoke caused by improper furnace ignition. When an oil burner doesn’t ignite immediately, excess oil builds up within the combustion chamber. The fuel can ignite explosively, similar to the backfiring of a car. Depending on how much fuel has built up in the chamber, the result can range from a small explosion to a cloud of oily smoke.

As a result, the mess of soot and debris will be mixed with oil. It can quickly spread throughout your home, covering cabinets, walls, furniture, and everything else you would never want covered in black, sticky grime. In addition to the mess, puffbacks contaminate the air and surfaces with unhealthy material. The consequences can be unpleasant, but SERVPRO of Sussex County can work with you in the cleaning and restoration of your home and belongings.

Should a puff back occur, here are some helpful tips to follow.

• Assess the damage
• Wash all affected clothing and throw out exposed food
• Contact a technician to repair the malfunctioning furnace
• Contact SERVPRO of Sussex County to restore your home

SERVPRO of Sussex County is a trusted leader in the restoration industry. We have the specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment to quickly restore your home to its original state. If you need someone to help with any type of smoke, soot, or fire damage, our highly trained technicians will be there to start the restoration process. Call the professionals at – SERVPRO of Sussex County 302-856-9768.