The Dangers of Puffbacks
11/6/2024 (Permalink)
As the cold weather approaches, now is the time to ensure that your heating systems are functioning properly. A malfunctioning system can lead to a puffback. A puffback occurs when a system is leaking oil or doesn't ignite properly. The oil eventually builds up and has nowhere to go. This causes soot to burst out of that system and to quickly spread throughout your home, settling onto walls, furniture and even into the ductwork where harmful particles will begin to circulate through the air.
There are several ways to help prevent a puffback in your Lancaster property:
- Inspect and clean your furnace, boiler and chimney annually.
- Look for black soot on surfaces, and check for odd noises or odors. These signs could suggest that the oil isn't burning properly.
- Look for debris in your fireplace and the flue vent of your chimney that can cause a buildup.
- Replace air filters 1-2 times per year to maintain system efficiency.
- Ensure there are no clogs or cracks in your system.
Should you suffer a puffback, SERVPRO of Lancaster East and Southern Lancaster County provides extensive soot removal, duct cleaning and odor deodorization services to help fully restore your property to a clean and healthy environment. Our fire damage restoration team is available 24/7 to respond to your property damage needs!