Havelock NC Fire Caused by Fireplace Puffback

8/12/2014 (Permalink)

This fireplace insert was the source of the puffback.

Puffbacks are usually caused by the delayed ignition of a buildup of combustible gases; it's really like a small explosion.  The resulting smoke and soot are blown out of every possible opening and can soil a single room or even a whole house.  Several rooms in this home in Havelock had to be cleaned as a result of the puffback.  In this case, every nail head on the sheetrock became visible, we call these nail pops.  Smoke has a magnetic quality and is attracted to the metal nails holding the sheetrock in place, it shows up as a series of dots along the joints.  SERVPRO cleaned the walls, ceilings and some of the customer's furniture.  All the walls and ceilings in those rooms had to be primed and painted.  Because we had done such a thorough job cleaning, there was no reason to deodorize.  With that in mind, GAS LOGS can cause the same issue over an extended period of time if they have not been serviced regularly or if they are misaligned.  If you use your gas logs a lot during the winter and haven't had then serviced in a couple of years, go ahead and have it done before heating season.