Restoring homes damaged by fire or flood, known as mitigation, is not a business for novices. Yet many small companies, enticed by the prospect of making sizeable profits, enter the field without the background or knowledge they need. If your home has been damaged and you require mitigation services, Greg Brumley of Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of the East Bay recommends selecting a company with a long and documented track record in the industry. “It’s vital that the people you’re dealing with know what they’re doing,” he says.
In the case of fire, it’s important for a restoration company to quickly identify the type of fire or smoke damage that has occurred, eliminate ongoing effects of acid soot on structural and personal property, and reduce the amount of damage and discoloration. That takes knowledge gained through experience and training. Following are some important tips on effectively dealing with household fire damage before a professional mitigation company arrives.
In case of fire damage:
• Don’t use any TV, stereo or electronic appliances until they’ve been checked by a technician. If the electricity is off, empty your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open with a rolled towel.
• Vacuum loose, dry soot smoke particles from carpets. Make sure the vacuum cleaner has an HEPA filter to prevent redistribution of fine soot. Avoid walking or tracking on carpet if possible. Don’t use “do-it-yourself” home carpet cleaners.
• Don’t wipe or attempt to wash ceilings, walls or other absorbent surfaces.
• Close doors on affected areas to localize smoke odors as much as possible.
• Don’t consume food items exposed to smoke or canned goods subjected to excessive heat. • If possible, avoid using upholstered furniture or handling drapes. • Wash plants with mild soap and water, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
• If you must turn off your water, take steps to prevent your plumbing and/or heating supply pipes from freezing.
• If you’ve lost power and it’s safe to do so, remove perishable foods from your refrigerator and freezer. The odor created by spoiled food is usually impossible to remove.
• Keep a listing of anything you’ve discarded and receipts for any expenses you incur in protecting your property. Most likely, your insurance claim representative will ask for these items
Similarly, water damage mitigation is a highly specialized process. Water damage is one of the most common problems people experience in their homes, says Mr. Brumley. Water may come in from heavy rains (through a roof leak), appliance failures (such as washing machines, dishwashers or ice makers) or major fire extinguishing efforts.
Individuals or companies that specialize in carpet cleaning and merely dabble in water damage restoration rarely have the latest equipment, certifications or insurance to get the job done right. Also, the longer the water sits, the worse the damage becomes, so swift action can often save hundreds of dollars in damage repair costs. It’s important to hire a company that can properly assess the situation and get to work immediately, but there are some steps you can take before the professionals arrive. However, your health and safety are more important than your possessions, so always adhere to the recommendations of your fire department or other responding agencies and don’t take any unnecessary risks.
In case of water damage:
• Report damage to your insurance company as soon as possible. Most companies have a toll-free call center number, or you can report to your agent.
• If safe, locate the source of the water and turn off any supply valves to stop the flow. Turn off your outside water main, or call a plumber, qualified tradesman or your local utilities department if you can’t.
• Don’t let wet materials or surfaces come in contact with any electrical source. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, so always shut off all power if there’s any risk of being shocked. Don’t operate your TVs or other electrical appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors (especially if concrete). Don’t use your vacuum cleaner to remove water.
• Keep a listing of anything you’ve discarded and receipts for any expenses you incur in protecting your property.
• If you must relocate, even temporarily, give your insurance company a phone number where you can be reached.
• Turn on your air conditioner (no lower than 72 degrees) to speed drying in the summer or in more humid regions.
• Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water. Place a plastic (not metal) bucket under the leak. Don’t turn on ceiling light fixtures or fans if the ceiling is wet.
• Remove as much standing water from your floors as possible by squeegee, mopping or blotting.
• Blot wet carpet with clean, white towels. Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet, wall-to-wall carpet. Place a fan so air flows over the carpet, speeding the drying process.
• Move lighter pieces of furniture off wet carpeting. Place plastic wrap or plastic bags beneath the legs of larger furniture. Wipe off any residual water.
• Remove valuable painting and pictures from wet walls. Transfer all objects to a dry, safe place.
Mr. Brumley suggests asking these questions before hiring any company to handle damage mitigation:
• How many years of experience does the company have in damage mitigation?
• Is the company properly licensed and insured?
• Do they follow accepted standards for water damage mitigation such as those by the IICRC?
• Does the company have the tools to locate damage not visible to the naked eye?
• Do they have the necessary equipment to ensure a complete and competent mitigation?
Another advantage of working with experienced damage mitigators is that they have usually forged close, longstanding relationships with insurance adjustors that can keep your project running smoothly.
