Sure Clean: Tips Minimize Damage

TIPS - Minimize Damage

Water Damage

Don’t enter a room with standing water unless you have turned off the electricity.
Call Sure Clean to prevent additional damage.
Contact your insurance company and/or agent to file a claim.
If electric is still on, place water-logged vital records and important documents in a freezer to retard mildew growth until professional drying is possible.
Place aluminum foil, plastic plates or un-stained wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
If a water-damaged ceiling is sagging, punch small holes to relieve trapped water and let it drain into a bucket.
Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
Remove tabletop lamps and other items from wood furniture and wipe excess water.
Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
Remove saturated area rugs and other removable floor coverings.
Survey curtains and draperies throughout the affected areas. If they’re skimming any wet floors, lift them.
Open doors throughout the house, including bedroom doors and closet doors, to speed the drying process. A good rule of thumb is to open anything that can be opened – drawer, cupboard, window or interior door – to maintain air circulation.
Don’t turn on any electrical equipment that may have been damaged.
Don’t leave wet fabrics in place; hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
Take many pictures of your damage.

Smoke/Soot Damage

Depending on the severity of the fire damage, consider turning off electricity at the breaker.
Safely remove any valuable papers or items from the premises.
Call Sure Clean to prevent additional damage.
Contact your insurance company and/or agent to file a claim.
If electricity is shut off, remove contents from refrigerators and freezers and prop open doors to allow circulation.
Remove as many items as possible from affected areas, placing undamaged contents in a secure, dry place.
Don’t try to clean any soot particles from fabric or upholstery as you may cause more damage.
Contact your doctor to replace medications that may have been stored near fire or heat.
Don’t turn on any electrical equipment that may have been damaged.
Save all paperwork and receipts.
Don’t send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
Don’t remove damaged goods or other property until you have documented (photos or video) the damage.
Contact the utility, cable companies and report that you have had a fire.