               |
Customer damage tips:
(provided by DKI)
Fire & Smoke Damage
After fire damage, it is natural to want to clean a building and its
contents. Timely action can be a great help, but incorrect or
delayed action can jeopardize or seriously impede satisfactory
restoration.
Do...
-
Clean and protect chrome trim on kitchen
appliance with a light coating of Vaseline or other oil.
-
Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smokes particles
from upholstery, drapery and carpet.
-
Open windows for ventilation.
-
Change furnace filter if blower is operating.
-
Empty freezer and refrigerator completely if
electricity is off, and prop door open with a rolled towel or
newspaper.
-
Clean and protect smoked bathroom faucets, tub
fittings and towel bars with a light coating of oil.
-
Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, sinks, and tubs
to prevent freezing if heat is off in winter.
-
Wash plants with water on both sides of leaves
(water softener helps).
-
Call plumber to drain heating system if heat is
off in winter.
-
Remove pets (especially birds) to clean
environment.
Do Not...
-
Wipe or attempt to wash walls, ceilings or other
absorbent surfaces. Use upholstered furniture if it can be avoided.
-
Use exposed food items, or canned goods, which
have been subjected to excessive heat.
-
Use TVs, stereos, or electrical appliances until
cleaned and checked.
-
Send smoked garments to an ordinary dry cleaner.
Improper cleaning may set smoke and odor.
-
Water Damage/li>
-
Water is an essential part of many cleaning
processes, but under some circumstances, although it usually
cleans, it can damage articles. The harmful effect of water is
sharply reduced by prompt and wise action. Some procedures are
obvious; others require foresight and experience. This list of
Emergency Tips has been compiled from many years of experience
in water damage repair and cleaning.
Do...
-
Remove as much excess water as possible by
mopping and blotting.
-
>Wipe water from wood furniture after removal of
lamps and tabletop items.
-
Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for
even drying (check for possible bleeding).
-
Place aluminum foil, china saucers on wood
blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
-
Turn on air conditioning for maximum drying in
summer; open windows to speed drying in winter.
-
Open drawers and cabinet doors for complete
drying (do not force, however.)
-
Remove valuable oil paintings and art objects to
a safe place.
-
Blot wet carpeting with clean white towels.
-
Open suitcases and luggage to dry, in sunlight
if possible.
-
Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve
trapped water (don't forget to place pans beneath!).
Do Not...
-
Leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as
possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room
temperature.
-
Leave books, magazines or other colored items on
wet carpets or floors.
-
Use your household vacuum to remove water.
-
Use TVs or other appliances while standing on
wet carpet or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
-
Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and
keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained
water.
-
Soot (Furnace) Damage
-
Although smoke and soot may seem to be
identical, experienced professional recognize the important
differences and appropriate emergency action can help in
restoring walls and furnishings damaged by soot. Wrong action
can make restoration more difficult and could greatly delay your
return to normal These Emergency Tips can increase the chances
for prompt and successful restoration.
Do...
-
Change furnace filter.
-
Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use.
-
Tape doubled pieces of cheesecloth over air
registers with masking tape.
-
Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles
from upholstery, drapes and carpeting.
Do Not...
-
Attempt to clean walls or ceilings.
-
Use do-it-yourself, home carpet or upholstery
cleaners.
-
Vandalism Damage
-
Vandalism is upsetting even when the motivation
is not malicious. While timely action can minimize or prevent
lasting damage, it is just as true that wrong or delayed action
can increase it; sometimes beyond hope of repair. Emergency Tips
listed below will minimize the effects of the damage, and make
the eventual repair more successful.
Do...
-
Hose down or wash egg damage from building
exterior as soon as possible
-
Wipe up freshly spilled food from carpets and
fabrics with a dampened cloth or sponge (but don't over-wet). Do
scrape and blot (don't rub; it may cause fuzzing or damage
fibers).
-
Vacuum glass particles from carpets and
upholstery.
-
Save containers, which will reveal the
composition of spilled inks, cosmetics and paints.
Do Not...
-
Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.
-
Operate damaged lamps or appliances.
-
Throw our wood chips, broken pieces from
furniture, porcelain or other art objects.
|
 |
|