Fall is officially here & nights are getting chilly. We are turning on our furnaces & installing storm windows. Winter is just around the corner. Soon we will be closing & sealing windows & adjusting weather stripping. How to recognize one ... & what to do if you have one. WHAT IS A PUFF BACK? Most of us have never heard of a puff back. A puff back occurs when an oil burner backfires sending soot throughout your home or business. It can happen all at once, or more slowly and gradually. HOW DO I KNOW IF I'VE HAD A PUFF BACK? It is usually quite easy to tell. Soot covers all areas of the home or business & may range from light to very heavy. Sometimes the disbursement of soot is so light & fine it appears to be ordinary dust. This "dust" however, can re-appear hours after being cleaned, there is often a strong odor of oil accompanying a puff back. CAN THEY BE PREVENTED? The best defense against a puff back is to have your oil burner inspected annually & kept in good repair. This is no guarantee against having a puff back, but it greatly reduces your risk. Keep debris, animal hair or anything that could interfere with proper functioning away from your oil burner. WHAT TO AVOID. Do not attempt to wash wallpapered or flat painted walls, clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Avoid touching things. WHAT TO DO. Notify your insurance agent or company immediately. Have a qualified disaster restoration specialist begin cleaning all affected areas immediately. Soot travels & will re-appear if not completely removed. fall page 1 | fall page 2 back     Home | Who We Are | Policies Offered | Companies Represented Privacy Statement | Save Money | Community Service | Contact Us