Puff Backs: What Are They and How to Prevent Them

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Puffbacks are not a pleasant situation for a home owner to deal with! They can make an incredible mess and are so difficult for someone without proper training to clean. Luckily, your friendly, knowledgeable local SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties knows exactly what to do!

Puffbacks are caused when a burner doesn’t ignite right away which causes fumes to build up in the furnace. These fumes will lead to an explosion within the burner chamber, which will vaporize and send soot flying throughout your home. Your home will have soot in every crook and cranny and on every wall, ceiling and piece of furniture. Puffbacks are most common in oil burning furnaces because oil doesn’t dissipate as easily. Oil puffbacks are also more damaging because oil creates more soot than gas and has a stickier texture.

Preventing puffbacks is not only important for your and your home’s wellbeing, but also for your wallet! Puffbacks are not always covered by insurance. To prevent a puffback, you should have your heating system serviced regularly by a professional. They will remove soot build up that naturally occurs during heating season, change your oil spray nozzle if needed and check that heating components are working properly.

Some warning signs of a puffback include oil leaks, loud startup of your furnace, rumbling or vibrating after shutoff, sooty operation and strange odors. It is very important to keep an eye out for any of these warning signs and address any problems immediately when you notice them!

By contacting SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties if you experience a puffback, you will be ensuring that your home will be properly cleaned and deodorized. We will make sure that everything from your carpets to your light fixtures are soot free and odor free. SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties can also help you find reputable, local contractors to repair your heating system.

Don’t hesitate! Call us today! 715-643-7171