FAQ

Water Damage

Water in your home or business can be very dangerous.
Water damage arises from fire damage, broken pipes, blocked drains, malfunctioning appliances, storms and other causes.  Treatments for water damage vary based on the cause and the nature of the damage.  The prospects for restoration depend largely on the speed with which your building and personal property can be dried.

If the damage was caused by sewage it may contain bacteria and other organisms which are hazardous to humans.  If this is the cause we recommend you limit your exposure to the affected areas and when leaving these areas be careful not to track it into other areas.

Following are some tips for beginning to deal with your water damage situation:

• Try determine the source of the water and stop it, if possible, shut off water at values under the sinks, at the main meter in the building or at the water meter outside
• Make sure that electrical appliances are turned off while standing on wet carpets, floors or especially on wet concrete floors to prevent possible electrocution.
• Do not go into rooms with standing water unless the electricity is off.
• Do not enter rooms where the ceilings are sagging from retained water.
• Do not try to use a normal vacuum cleaner to remove water from the affected area
• Prevent children and pets from entering the affected areas
• Do not turn on electrical items that have had water in them without having them checked out
• Do not try to lift tacked down carpet with the help of a professional.  This could damage the backing
• Get help from a professional water damage restoration service, as soon as possible to help mitigate your lose and prevent future issues with items such as Mold

Water Damage Tips

• Remove excess water as possible by mopping the area or using a wet/dry vacuum, be sure the area is safe to enter before beginning this process.
• Open drawers and cabinet doors for interior drying, but do not try to force open stuck drawers or doors.
• Wipe as much excess water from wood furniture as you can and remove tabletop lamps and other items from the furniture.  Move furniture to a dry location if possible, if not, place plastic or aluminum foil under any furniture legs that are not plastic to prevent discoloration or bleeding.
• Remove wet upholstery cushions from the frame and prop them up to dry immediately.
• Turn the air conditioning on for maximum drying in the summer and open the windows in the winter to release trapped for an improved indoor air quality.
• Remove any artwork and paintings from the walls if affected.
• Remove area rugs from the floor and hang to dry outside or inside.
• Place plastic or aluminum foil under any furniture legs that are not plastic to prevent discoloration or bleeding.
• Freeze valuable books and documents to retard mildew growth until drying can be performed.
• Punch tiny holes in a sagging ceiling to relieve trapped water make sure to place something underneath the holes before hand to collect any trapped water.
• Do not attempt to decontaminate surfaces with spays and other over-the-counter germicidal products, which may not fully disinfect contaminated surfaces.
• Report your damage to your insurance company.

Fire & Smoke Damage

After the fire department has completed it’s work where do I turn?
After a fire it is natural to want to jump right in and clean the building and contents.  Timely actions can be a great help, but incorrect action can jeopardize or impede satisfactory restoration.  Please review these tips:

Tips for dealing with Fire and Smoke Damage

• Clean and protect chrome trim on faucets and other bright work by washing with detergent and applying a coating or Vaseline or oil
• Blow off or brush-vacum loose smoke particles from upholstery, draperies and carpeting
• Empty refrigerators and freezers if electricity  is off and prop the door(s) open with a roll of paper towels or rolled up newspaper to allow air flow
• Send a sample group of garments for cleaning and deodorization in order to observe the results.
• Do not wipe or attempt to wash fire residues from walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces
• Do not use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris
• Do not use food items or canned goods exposed to heat
• Do not turn on computers, televisions, or other electrical items until they have been cleaned and checked out
• Report your damage to your insurance company.

Vandalism

Vandalism often involves spray paint on walls, defacement or furnishings, or spreading noxious substances.  It is one of the most difficult forms of damage to restore.  Prompt action can often minimize the effect of vandalism or make restoration more successful.

Tips for dealing with Vandalism Damage

• Hose down or wash egg damage from building exteriors as soon as possible
• Vacuum up glass particles to prevent further damage.  Be sure to vacuum upholstery in the affected areas.
• Save containers and spray cans which can reveal the composition of inks and pigments
• Save all wood chips and fragments from furniture, porcelain or art objects.
• Do not attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains, they can be permanently set if not handled  properly