Tips

Fire Damage:

After fire damage it is natural to want to jump right in and clean the structure and it's contents. Timely action can be great help, but incorrect action can jeopardize or impede satisfactory restoration.

Do…

Clean and protect chrome trim on faucets and other bright work by washing with detergent and applying a coat of Vaseline, oil or other corrosion inhibitor.

Blow off or brush - vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery, drapes and carpeting.

Open windows for ventilation if weather permits.

Empty refrigerators and freezers if electricity is off and prop doors open to allow air circulation.

Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, tanks, sinks and tub drains to prevent freeze damage if heat is off.

Call a plumber to drain and blow out all water lines if heat is off.

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 before submitting a large quantity.

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.

Use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris.

Use food items or canned goods exposed to heat.

Turn on computers, televisions, stereos, or electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and checked.

Soot Damage:

While soot may resemble smoke residues from fire, the restoration of soot damage often requires different techniques. Incorrect action can make restoration more difficult and delay return to normalcy.

Do…

Change and save the old furnace filter.

Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.

Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use.

Do Not…

Attempt to wash walls, ceilings or contents without professional assistance.

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 contaminants and should be considered hazardous. Whatever the origin, the prospects for restoration depend largely on the speed with which your building and personal property can be dried. 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 where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Transport computers and musical instruments 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 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.

As soon as possible, call a water damage specialist for emergency drying.

Do Not…

Operate televisions, vacuums, computers or other electrical appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially wet concrete floors. Serious injury may result.

Use heat to dry closed building interior. Mildew and expanded moisture damage may result.

Leave wet fabrics in place, space them apart and dry as soon as possible.

Carpet Cleaning:

It is bound to happen that one accidentally spills or drops something sticky on a carpet. The important thing to do is to deal with the stain or the spillage immediately. If no action is taken, the stain will penetrate into the carpet and make it harder to be removed. Below are some tips on what you should do if an accident should occur.

10 things to keep in mind if an accident occurs:

1. Deal with the stain immediately.
2. Ladle fluids carefully with a spoon.
3. Dilute with cold water if necessary.
4. Dab away-do not rub-fluids with a paper towel or a clean cotton cloth.
5. Work from the edge towards the middle of the spillage.
6. Use a very small amount of detergent and cold water, but only if necessary.
7. Brush lightly with a clothes brush if needed.
8. Repeat from step 2 if necessary.
9. It might be necessary to dry the wet area with a fan or a hair drier at low speed.
10. Finish the work by restoring the pile with a clothes brush in the direction of the pile.

Some examples of common stains and how to remove them:

Glue: Dilute the stain with a cloth soaked in vinegar or alcohol.

Wax: Put a blotting paper or a brown paper bag over the stain. Use a hot iron over the blotting paper/paper bag and let the wax be absorbed. It is important to keep moving the iron to avoid burn marks.

Ink: Cover the stain with hair spray and let dry, then brush it away gently with a solution of water and vinegar.

Gum: Put ice cubes on the gum so it becomes hard which makes it possible to break loose.

Urine: Suck it up as fast as possible. Then rinse the area with a mixture of water and distilled white vinegar, about a tablespoon per 20 cl of water. Wipe up as much as possible from the carpet. If the urine stain is dry when discovered, act quickly and leave the carpet to a specialized carpet cleaner.