Furnace Puffbacks

2/18/2016 (Permalink)

Furnace “puff backs” occur most often in the winter and can create a mess and smell that can permeate your entire home.  A puff back is a misfiring in the furnace that can send soot throughout your residents. All cases are never the same, the best way to approach the situation is to contact someone that has had experience with them. It may require expensive cleaning and restoration in addition to repairs on your heating system. 

A puff back can happen when an oil burner doesn't ignite immediately and oil fumes are allowed to build up before ignition, resulting in an explosion similar to the backfiring of a car. The soot this produces is an acidic substance that can permanently ruin electronics, household items, and cause structural damage as well. The results are similar to having a house fire without having the combustion of flames.

The most important thing to do if you experience a puff back is to not touch or try to clean anything yourself. The oils from your hands can actually set in the stains so instead of just a cleaning objects, materials may have to be replaced instead. Cleaning of the soot needs to be tested first in a small area to determine the correct method to remediate properly. This system can be a simple as a one stage cleaning or up to a three stage cleaning system and sealant process. Time is of the essence if this unfortunately occurs in your home contact your agent to get started on getting your home back to normal.