Distaster Recovery Tips, What to Do
It's not something we would like to think about, but insurance losses occur every day. If disaster strikes your family, you will want to know that your home will be repaired properly. You will want the assurance that your crisis is going to be resolved quickly, professionally and to your satisfaction
Emergency Do's and Don'ts
Fire Damage
Things to Do:
- Clean and protect chrome trim on faucets and other bright work 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 off, and prop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper to allow air circulation.
- Pour RV 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 fire 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.
Things Not to Do:
- Wipe or attempt to wash fire residues from walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
- Use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris.
- Use food items or canned goods exposed to heat.
- Turn on computers, TV's, stereos or electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and checked.
Water Damage
Things to 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 room where 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.
Things Not to Do:
- Operate TV's, vacuums or other appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors. Serious injury may result.
- Use 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.
Soot or Furnace Damage
Things to 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.
Things Not to Do:
- Attempt to wash walls, ceilings or contents without professional assistance.
Vandalism Damage
Things to 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.
- Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use.
Things Not to Do:
- Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains; they can be permanently set if not handled properly.