3 Ways Smoke Damage Affects Electronics

5/25/2022 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO when smoke damages your electronics!

Smoke can be a massive problem for electronics.

When a fire starts, the smoke it produces is one of the main dangers. Smoke can cause extensive damage to your property and belongings- including your electronics. If you've ever experienced smoke damage, you know how difficult it can be to restore your possessions.

The professionals at SERVPRO of North Fulton understand that fire and smoke damage can happen to anyone. Therefore, we put together this blog post to discuss the effects of smoke damage on electronics and what you can do to protect them from harm. So, if you are looking for information on how smoke damage affects electronics, keep reading!

What is smoke damage?

Smoke damage occurs when smoke particles come into contact with surfaces and items in your home. These smoke particles are tiny but don't let their size fool you; smoke particles can cause big problems.

How does smoke damage affect electronics?

The most common type of smoke damage is called soot. Soot is a black, powdery substance created by the incomplete burning of organic matter. When soot comes into contact with your electronics, it can cause several problems. Here are the three ways smoke damage affects electronics:

1. Corrosion.

When soot accumulates on the circuit boards of your electronics, it can cause corrosion.

2. Discoloration.

Soot can also cause discoloration on the surfaces of your electronics.

3. Short-circuiting.

Short-circuiting occurs when soot causes a build-up of conductive materials on the circuit boards of your electronics. This build-up can eventually lead to a short circuit which can damage your electronics.

Can electronics be saved from smoke damage?

Many people who suffer smoke damage wonder if their electronics can be restored. The answer to this question is, unfortunately, it depends.

Electronics can be restored if the smoke damage is limited to a small area and the electronic device is cleaned and dried correctly. However, if the smoke damage is extensive, the electronics will likely need to be replaced.

What can you do to protect your electronics from smoke damage?

The best way to protect your electronics from smoke damage is to prevent smoke from coming into contact with them. Here are a few things you can do to keep your electronics safe from smoke damage:

Use smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms are one of the best ways to protect your home from smoke damage. By installing smoke alarms in your home, you can be alerted to fire before the smoke has a chance to do any harm.

Keep electronics clean.

Another way to protect your electronics from smoke damage is to keep them clean. When you dust and vacuum regularly, you remove the accumulated debris that can catch fire.

Use fire-resistant tarps.

You can also protect your electronics by using fire-resistant tarps. These tarps prevent smoke and other debris from coming into contact with your electronics.

Store electronics in a safe place.

It's a good idea to store your electronics in a safe place. This way, if smoke does enter your home, your electronics will be out of harm's way.

Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.

Finally, one of the best ways to protect your electronics from smoke damage is to keep a fire extinguisher on hand. Then, if a fire does start, you can use the fire extinguisher to put it out before it has a chance to do any damage.

Smoke damage is a severe problem that can cause significant problems for your electronics. However, by taking a few simple precautions, you can protect your electronics from smoke damage.

How SERVPRO can help

If your electronics come into contact with smoke, don't try to clean them yourself. The best thing you can do is contact a professional fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO of North Fulton.

SERVPRO of North Fulton is a restoration company with the experience and knowledge to restore your smoke-damaged electronics. We start by thoroughly inspecting your electronics to determine the extent of the damage. We then develop a plan to clean and restore your electronics.

In some cases, we may be able to clean your electronics on-site. However, we may need to take them to our facility for cleaning and restoration in other cases.

No matter what, you can rest assured knowing that your electronics are in good hands with SERVPRO of North Fulton. Our professionals have gone through extensive training from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

If you have any questions about our smoke damage restoration services, don't hesitate to contact us today. We are always here to help!