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Prevention Tips
After a disaster, timely clean up can prevent property from further damage. The Drying Company has provided a few prevention tips that will help you control damage and eliminate excessive cost.
Water
Damage Water damage arises from fire damage, broken pipes, blocked drains, malfunctioning appliances, storms and other causes. The appropriate treatment depends on the nature of the damage.
| Some water carries contaminates and should be considered hazardous (see sewage and Flood Damage, below).
Whatever the origin, the prospects of restoration depend
largely on the speed with which your building and personal
property can be dried.
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Even clean water can generate mildew
and other bacterial growth if neglected.
DO...
- Ventilate
wet areas. Turn on air conditioning for accelerated
drying in summer; in winter alternate cycles of opened
windows and heating.
- Remove standing water from flat surfaces by sponging
and blotting.
- Take up saturated rugs and carpets when hardwood floors
are at risk.
- Stay out of rooms were ceilings are sagging from retained
water.
- Transport computers to a dry environment, remove cases
and blow dry with low pressure air.
- Remove lamps, telephones and decorative items from
wet furniture tops.
- Open drawers and cabinet doors for interior drying,
but do not force open stuck drawers or doors.
- Freeze valuable books and documents to retard mildew
growth until drying can be performed.
- Place aluminum foil squares, china saucers or wood
blocks under furniture legs to avoid carpet staining.
DO
NOT...
- Operate
TVs, vacuums or other appliances while standing on wet
carpet or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
Serious injury may result.
- Used
heat to dry closed building interiors; mildew and expanded
moisture damage may result.
- Leave
wet fabrics in place; space them apart and dry as soon
as possible.
Sewage
& Flood Damage
 | Raw
sewage and flood waters contain bacteria and other micro
organisms which are extremely hazardous to human health.
These can be transmitted by touching contaminated items
or by tracking them into uncontaminated areas on shoes.
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Children and pets are especially vulnerable. Frequent handwashing is an important preventive measure. Absorbent
materials such as carpeting and drywall may not be restorable
after direct contact with sewage-contaminated or flood-contaminated
water.
DO...
-
Treat all water-impacted surfaces and furnishings as
toxic, until properly decontaminated.
- Keep
children and pets out of contaminated areas.
DO NOT...
-
Track contaminated material into undamaged areas.
- Attempt
to decontaminate surfaces with sprays and other over-the-counter
germicidal products, which may not fully disinfect contaminated
surfaces.
Soot
(Furnace) Damage
While
soot may resemble smoke residues from a fire, the restoration
of soot damage often requires different techniques. Incorrect
action can make restoration more difficult and delay the
return to normal.
DO...
- Change
and save the old furnace filter.
- Blow
off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery
draperies and carpets.
- Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use.
DO
NOT...
- Attempt
to wash walls, ceilings or contents without professional
assistance
Fire
& Smoke Damage
After
fire damage it is natural to want to jump right in and
clean the building and contents. Timely action can be
a great help, but incorrect action can jeopardize or impede
satisfactory restoration.
DO...
- Clean
and protect chrome trim on faucets and other brightwork
by washing with detergent and applying a coating of
Vaseline or oil
-
Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke particles from
upholstery, draperies and carpeting
Open windows for ventilation if weather permits.
-
Empty refrigerators and freezers if electricity is shut
off, and pop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper
to allow air circulation.
-
Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, tanks, sink and tub
drains to prevent freeze damage if heat is off in winter
Call a plumber to drain and blow out all water lines
if heat is off in winter.
-
Remove pets to a clean environment if heavy fore residues
are present.
-
Send a sample group of garments for cleaning and deodorization
in order to observe the results.
-
Retain a contractor to board up open windows, roofs,
or other penetrations in order to prevent additional
damage.
DO
NOT...
- Wipe
or attempt to wash fire residues from walls, ceilings
or other absorbent surfaces.
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Use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy
residues or debris.
-
Use food items or canned goods exposed to heat.
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Turn on computers, TV's, stereos or electrical appliances
until they have been cleaned and checked
Vandalism
Damage Vandalism often involves spray paint on walls, defacement
of furnishings, or spreading noxious substances.
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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. |  |
DO...
- Hose
down or wash egg damage from building exteriors as soon
as possible.
- Vacuum
glass particles from carpet and upholstery
- 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.
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