Make a list, check it twice before emergencies strike
In this week’s article I want to take just a few minutes and briefly discuss disaster clean up, primarily fire and floods. Winter is just around the corner and with winter comes frozen broken pipes and unfortunately fires.
When disaster strikes most of us will immediately run and grab the phone book and start frantically looking for someone to help resolve the problem. This process takes a lot of time and you are not sure if the company you call can actually do the job. Rather than wasting time looking for a company who can assist you, try this tip.
Get a 3x5 index card and write on it the following items:
A. Plumber
B. Electrician
C. Flood cleanup
D. Fire cleanup
E. Restoration contractor
F. Insurance company
G. Policy number
Once each item has been listed, fill in a contact number for each profession and place it on your refrigerator. If something happens and you need help immediately you have a ready reference available for quick response.
Cleaning up after a flood, fire or sewer backup is a very demanding job. Bacteria rates are usually very high, specialized equipment and expertise is almost always needed, this is one time where it is definitely smart to call a professional.
The cleaning company should be able to take immediate action and start the clean up process. A professional disaster restoration specialist will know how to handle the problem in a safe and sanitary manner. The company should be able to work closely with your insurance company and their adjuster to return your property back to its pre-loss condition.
When disaster strikes, do what you can to stop further damage to your property, e.g. stop the running water, move your furniture to prevent damage, remove belonging from the affected area, board up broken windows, etc. The longer you delay the greater the potential for further damage to your personal property.
Call your insurance company immediately, please keep in mind that your insurance company will expect you to protect the building and its contents from further damage. Your insurance company may ask you what actions you took to prevent further damage.
The restorer begins this process by identifying all affected materials (What=s damaged). Because water is far more destructive than Fire, water must be tracked from its initial source and diligently followed in every direction it migrated to establish an accurate perimeter. That is done by using a FLIR moisture mapping system. Once that is identified, the restorer should document what type of materials were affected by the fire or flood, e.g. carpet, pad, sub-flooring, wall construction type, etc. Affected materials are evaluated against three criteria to determine if they should be restored or replaced. The three criteria are: Cost, Damage, and Contamination.
The restored will use high pressure air movers, industrial dehumidifiers, and interwall drying systems to dry the building materials to manufactures recommended moisture levels.
Once the property is dry, the restorer can proceed with the restoration of the property. The contractor should provide a written report with pictures to the property owner and insurance company which details the process they went through to return the property to its pre-loss condition.
I’m frequently asked what is the difference between a general contractor and a restoration contractor? Answer: A restoration contractor has to be a general contractor that specializes in restoration. What makes him/her unique is that not only do they have to know about the construction field but they must also have had to pass between 10 and 13 sub-specialties certification, e.g. fire, flood, mold, bio-hazard, hard and soft products, flooring care and repair, carpeting care and repair, etc. The restoration contractor must also understand loss prevention and cost mitigation.
If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), email them to madan@nwees.com or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church street, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What would Ed do? For more information about Ed, and his new handyman services, check him out at NWEES.COM.
n Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, (NWES, Inc.)