Can Ductwork Damage by Soot in Everett Homes Get Clean?

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that ductwork needs cleaning after fires? Smoke and soot travel from even small fires into the ductwork.

SERVPRO Provides Fire Restoration Services that Clean and Restore Impacted Ductwork

Many indigenous people settled near coastline areas due to the abundance of available food. The Port Gardner Peninsula drew tribal people thousands of years before modern man arrived. The first to inhabit Everett and the surrounding area we know of were the Coast Salish tribes, roughly 2,000 years ago. Later the Snohomish tribes thrived around local waterways.

Coast Salish People

This ethnic group is connected by language. It consists of many tribes with slightly different Coast Salish languages. These people groups dominated the Northwest Coast region, living in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington and Oregon. The list of tribes is quite extensive and included the Tillamook tribes. Here are early observances we know about:

• Settlements dating back to 2000 BCE exist, and the remains can be seen today.
• Prominent villages were established along the Duwamish River estuary in the 6th century. 
• Natives were living in that settlement until the latter 18th century. 
• Jose Mari Narvaez and Juan Carrasco came into contact with the Coast Salish tribes while exploring the Strait of Georgia in 1791. 
• The natives raided much of the Puget Sound region between 1810 through the 1850s. 

Smallpox and other diseases ended up killing off much of the tribes over time.

The Snohomish Tribe

The Snohomish people, often known as the Lowland tribe, reside near the Puget Sound area. They are part of the Lushootseed Native American tribe and speak the Lushootseed language. Historians have extensively debated the meaning of their name. Possible meanings include:

• A style of union among those of the brave
• Sleeping Waters
• Many people
• Warrior tribe

The Snohomish are hunters, gatherers, and fishermen. In 1844, we know there were 322 members of the tribe, and in 1854 the tribe had increased to 350. During this period, smallpox was devastating many Native American tribes, and their increase indicated they were not impacted as severely as others in the same area. 

Encountering the Hudson Bay Company

In 1824 John Work, a trader for the Hudson’s Bay Company, encountered the Snohomish. They were afraid his group had come to attack them as hostile tribes were often a problem. But to their delight, they discovered the traders were friendly. They became one of the tribes trading with the Hudson’s Bay Company Fort Nisqually. 

Snohomish County - Traditional Homeland

Today Snohomish County is considered the traditional homeland of the Snohomish tribe. Since they were the first residents of the area, the county is named in their honor. Tommy Yarr, a Notre Dame Fighting Irish football captain and former NFL player, is from the Snohomish tribe.

Can Soot Get in My Ductwork During a Fire?

Even in small, contained fires, soot can travel into the tiniest spots. If your HVAC system is running when the fire occurs, shut it down immediately to prevent smoke residue from spreading to other areas. When our technicians arrive and scoping is completed, they can clean the ductwork.

Getting Rid of Soot Smells

Soot and smoke residue leave foul odors that linger, which is why immediate mitigation is needed. Our techs first determine the type of soot they are dealing with and then use the proper cleaning method. The following steps remove the odors:

• Matching the cleaning agent to the kind of soot
• Using advanced deodorization equipment and methods
• Locking in mild aromas left behind with sealants

For professional fire restoration services in Everett, call SERVPRO of North Everett / Lake Stevens / Monroe at (360) 243-8313.