Emergency Cleaning Tips

Anyone who has ever experienced water leaks or flooding knows it can be a hassle to stop and a nuisance to clean up. You can minimize water damage when you follow these tips provided from the disaster recovery and restoration experts at ServiceMaster by Benevento.

Minimizing Water Damage In Your Home—Do's

• If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
• If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner if available.
• Use fans to circulate the air and assist drying.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting floors.
• Wipe furniture dry.
• Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.
• Open furniture drawers, closet doors and luggage to enhance drying.
• Move photos, paintings and art objects to a safe, dry location.
• Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.

Minimizing Water Damage In Your Home—Don'ts!

• Do not turn up the heat in areas affected by water damage. Doing so could promote the growth of bacteria and mildew. Instead, attempt to stabilize the air temperature at 70 degrees F.
• Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.
• Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
• Do not lift tacked-down carpet without professional help. Lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage.
• Do not wait to call ServiceMaster by Benevento for professional help. Damage from the water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.

Everyone knows to react fast when fire strikes a building. But did you know that prompt action is also key for effective fire cleanup? The sooner the restoration work begins following a fire, the more property can be salvaged.

Here are steps to minimize damage after a fire. Remember, improper or incorrect cleaning can actually cause more damage and may result in added expenses.

Removing Fire & Smoke Damage—Do's

• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes, and carpets.
• Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
• Discard open food packages. The food could be contaminated.
• If electrical service is off, clean out your freezer and refrigerator. Leave the doors propped open or place charcoal in the unit.
• Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified restoration drycleaner.
• Clean Formica and chrome fixtures to prevent permanent tarnishing. Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
• Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
• Tape cheese cloth over intake and outlet air registers to capture any loose soot in the air. This is even more effective if the cheese cloth is damp.
• If weather permits, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
• Call ServiceMaster by Benevento as soon as possible to get expert advice on proper and thorough cleaning procedures.

Removing Fire & Smoke Damage—Don'ts!

• Do not attempt to wash any papered or flat painted walls without consulting your professional cleaner. Incorrect cleaning procedures could compound the soot residue problem.
• Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture. Again, incorrect procedures could compound the soot problem.
• Do not lift water-soaked carpet that is tacked down.
• Do not use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked.
• Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.
• Do not touch anything with your bare hands. Oils from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing further damage.
• Do not wait to call ServiceMaster by Benevento for professional help.