Disaster Recovery: your #WiseChoice checklists

ServiceMaster by Cornerstone, your #WiseChoice for home and business restoration, guides you step-by-step through the catastrophes of fire and water damage.

No one expects it. No one plans for it. Most of us have no clue what to do when it happens.

ServiceMaster by Cornerstone does.

Your #WiseChoice for home and business restoration assembled the following checklists on how to climb out of the messes of fire or water damage.

WATER DAMAGE – WHAT TO DO:

• If it’s plumbing-related, shut off the main water supply.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings not permanently attached. Do NOT attempt to remove wall-to-wall carpeting. You will need your insurance claims adjuster to inspect carpet damage.
• Lift draperies off the floor, loop through a coat hanger and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
• Wipe furniture, prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Move photos, paintings and art items to a safe, dry location. If they are of value, keep them someplace where the adjuster can assess their damage and value.
• Keep books on shelves. Pack them tightly on the shelves to prevent warping of pages until a restoration agent can begin the specialized drying process.
• Open drawers, closets and cabinet doors to enhance drying.
• Once the source of the leak is repaired, keep all damaged parts for the claims adjuster’s inspection.
• Call ServiceMaster by Cornerstone for professional help and guidance re: severe water damage and bacteria growth.

WATER DAMAGE – WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Do not enter a room with standing water until electricity has been turned off.
• Do not use a regular household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not lift tacked-down carpet without professional help.
• Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or flooring.
• Do not disturb visual mold.
• Do not remove books from shelves.

FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE – WHAT TO DO:

• Corrosive by-products can cause irreversible etching in as few as 72 hours. Call for professional help.
• If the temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house or building to reduce smoke odor.
• Clean laminate surfaces as well as chrome, porcelain and aluminum fixtures to prevent tarnishing or etching.
• Change the air filter in your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
• Tape damp cheesecloth over air-duct returns and supply registers to capture loose soot in the air.
• Discard any open food packages.
• If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave its door(s) propped open.
• Send all household items with visible soot or smoke odors to ServiceMaster by Cornerstone for specialized restoration cleaning.

FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE – WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Do not discard any items. Restoration experts are trained to recognize and to record which items can be fully restored and which ones cannot.
• Do not touch anything with your bare hands. Oil from your skin can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing additional damage.
• Do not wash walls. Incorrect cleaning could compound the soot residue.
• Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
• Do not use electrical appliances until you’ve had them checked.
• Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.

Copyright 2018 Wise Choices TM. All rights reserved.