If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (570) 235-1646

To have the optimal experience while using this site, you will need to update your browser. You may want to try one of the following alternatives:

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Puff Backs

11/7/2016 (Permalink)

Soot on the walls of a home in Scranton, Pa after a puff back.
What is a Puff Back?

The term furnace "Puff Back" refers to the sudden expulsion of soot into the dwelling area caused by a malfunction in the heating system. The soot from a puff back is a sticky, greasy, grimy mess second to none. And, it can present a severe health hazard in the place that's supposed to be a haven - your home. All those minuscule, oil based particles embed themselves in curtains, carpets, and clothing while contaminating the air with known carcinogens. Running a vacuum over it only grinds the soot deeper and creates stains that will never come out. 
 
How Can I Know if I Had a Puff Back?

The soot and other debris from the explosion can easily be carried throughout a home by the exhaust and heating systems. This means that potentially every room of a house can be damaged. Puff Backs are characterized by the oily black soot left behind, often appearing like spider webs.  Wiping the soot from walls and ceilings creates a place where paint will no longer stick. And, unless the soot is quickly and professionally removed, it can cause corrosion of metals on doorknobs, faucets, and even electronic  equipment throughout the home.  Because every inch of the home is affected, a puff back is an overwhelming job to clean properly.

Other News

View Recent Posts