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Soot Puff Back & Soot Cleanup Experts

A puff back is a misfiring of your furnace, which can cover your home in soot. The soot can cover your furniture, floors, ceilings, and any other parts of your home close to your exhaust system. If your home relies on a forced heat system, the soot can cover all areas that your heating system typically reaches.

A puff back, in the most extreme case, can cause your home or business to be covered in soot. Soot is not only difficult to clean and unsightly, but it also has the potential to cause health problems -- typically respiratory issues -- for you and your family. The soot caused by a puff back can also damage valuable property and belongings.

Puff backs typically occur when the oil burner does not immediately ignite, causing a buildup within your furnace that can lead to an explosion. Older furnaces and homes are more at risk than newer systems and constructs.

In the unfortunate event of a puff back occurring in your home, it is important to address the sooty situation right away. Give us a call at 973-447-3363 and a restoration team will make its way to your home in no time. Upon arriving at your home, our puff back cleanup and restoration specialists will inspect your home to identify all areas that were affected by the puff back and thoroughly clean and deodorize it as quickly as possible. Our puff back specialists ensure that your home and property are returned to their original, soot-free condition minus the odor.

YES. 99.9% of all homeowners insurance policies cover the full cost to clean up the sooty mess and odor left behind from a puff back. If your property needs to be painted after the cleaning the insurance company will usually pay for that as well. They are required to bring you back to "Pre-loss" condition. If any of your content cannot be cleaned to "pre-loss" condition, they will usually pay to replace those items.

If Your Home or Business Experiences Soot from a Puff Back:

Do not attempt to wash wallpaper or flat-painted walls, as improper cleaning will further compound the soot residue.
Do not use retail cleaning solutions or soap. These will only smear and spread the soot, not fully remove it.
Do not try to clean carpets and upholstered furniture.
Avoid touching items in the home. Soot on hands can easily permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing additional damage.

Soot Travels Quickly & Will Reappear if Not Immediately Removed

We offer emergency cleanup and restoration services 24/7 and direct insurance billing. To learn more about our puff back cleanup and restoration services, please contact us today, 973-447-3363 and we will be right out to see the damage and educate you on what needs to be done!

PDQ’s Soot Puff Back Cleaning & Odor Removal Process

Thorough assessment and documentation of your soot emergency.
Photographs and measurements will be taken during this phase.
Record and document the disposal of necessary food and medications.
Immediate placement of HEPA air scrubbers and hydroxyls to begin soot and odor mitigation.
Contact insurance carrier/adjuster to give them the size and scope of the project.
Deploy 8-12 people almost immediately to clean and decontaminate the affected structure and contents.
Schedule HVAC air duct cleaning and sanitation for soot and odor.
Replace all air filters in the HVAC systems.
Coordinate the cleaning of soft goods, such as clothing, bedding, draperies, furniture, etc.
Discuss rebuild options (painting, carpeting, cabinetry, etc.) with you & your adjuster regarding your claim.

Puff Back Related Information

Dangers of Soot
Is the cleanup covered by my insurance?
FREE soot cleanup guide
How to Deodorize
What do I do with my food?
Should I stay at a hotel?

Do you have concerns about soot? Call Us: 973-447-3363

Recently Completed Jobs

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John P.

Roxbury, NJ

PDQ had a complete cleaning team come in to bring John's home back to a safe and liveable condition. All surfaces were wiped down and disinfected. Hydroxyls were placed throughout the house to help neutralize odor.

Alex H.

Madison, NJ

Completed removal of damaged areas in the garage, including sheetrock, ceiling and insulation surrounding the garage. Inspected, restored, and cleaned all affected rooms in the home affected by the fire and smoke odor. Provided HEPA vacuuming of the ...

Susan A.

Milburn, NJ

PDQ immediately began the demolition process in the fire-damaged basement, while wearing personal protective equipment. We removed all debris and damaged walls and ceilings. Worked in the hallway going downstairs to the basement and provided full cle...

Our customers love us!

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4.97 out of 222 reviews

Margaret L

Morganville, NJ

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Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value I used PDQ for fire damage that we had in our house. Cheryl and her crew were so amazing to work with and got the job done quickly and professionally. Cheryl was always in contac...

Sherri Novak

Montville, NJ

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Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value Highly recommended PDQ Fire & Water Damage Restoration if you ever have the need. They arrived 2 hours after our fire last night and within an hour or so had already sealed the ...

J Stoddard

Lake Hiawatha, NJ

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Highly recommended. Professional and easy to work with from day one. Worked with us every step of the way and excellent communication from everyoneinvolved. Would definitely use them again. Thank you PDQ!

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David DiLauri

I will always recommend PDQ for anyone that asks. Starting with my intial call, they were constant professionals, walking me through each step and explaining the process fully. If you find yourself in need of a mitigation service, this is the company you want doing it.

Steven Pozarycki

Professionalism, Quality PDQ was great, super responsive, and Cheryl was the best to work with. She walked us through everything and was on top of things throughout our fire cleanup process. Highly recommend them to anyone dealing with the aftermath of a fire!

Ashely Farrell

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value. They were quick, efficient, and did a fantastic job. Cheryl was always in communication with us and so kind and knowledgeable. They made my apartment look even better than it did prior to our fire. Highly recommend for cleaning and restoration!

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