How Does Ozone Help With Fire Damage Restoration?

7/11/2021 (Permalink)

One of the most difficult things to accomplish in fire damage restoration is not cleaning up the water, nor the debris, nor the smoke and soot damage.

Often, the biggest hurdle is getting rid of the odors that the fire left behind. These odors have a tendency to linger because the particles that cause them can be microscopic. They’re invisible to the naked eye and can hide just about anywhere in your home without you ever noticing.

That’s where technology like ozone generators comes in. With a lingering smoke smell, an ozone generator can be just what the doctor ordered.

Ozone generators work by generating molecules with three oxygen atoms (as opposed to the two oxygen atoms that we’re accustomed to in the air that we breathe). These atoms are highly reactive. When they encounter odor-causing molecules (as in those in smoke residue), they oxidize them and eliminate the scents.

That said, ozone is not a magic wand. The most effective way to deal with an odor is to eliminate the source, and the bulk of that work is done through thorough, effective and scientifically-sound cleaning. 

Ozone can also be dangerous. Exposure to ozone can cause nausea, headaches and worse, so all living things must be evacuated before we use it, and proper containment must be set up to prevent it from proliferating throughout a home. While regular levels of oxygen are quick to return once the ozone generator is turned off, we often combine high-velocity air movement with ventilation to ensure that the area is safe to return to before clearing it for occupancy.