Fire & Water Damage Dos and Don'ts

Water Damage Tips

Dos

• Call ServiceMaster of Charlottesville immediately. Water damage and bacterial growth can begin within hours.
• If possible, stop the source of the water.
• Blot furniture, prop up cushions on upholstered pieces, and place furniture legs on wood blocks or aluminum foil.
• Turn on the air conditioning or heating system. Turn on ceiling fans if the ceiling isn't wet.
• Lift draperies and sheers off of wet surfaces. Loop the draperies through a coat hanger and place it on the drapery rod.
• Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
• Check under all beds and in closets for wet surfaces.
• Open closets, drawers and cabinet doors to enhance drying.

Don'ts

• Don't touch any electrical source or enter a room with standing water until electricity has been turned off.
• Don't use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. A short circuit could result.
• Don't use electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring or carpeting.
• Don't use appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked.
• Don't remove books from shelves. Instead, pack them together tightly until your restoration professional can start the specialized drying process.
• Don't use a household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't lift tacked-down carpet without professional help. Lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinking.
• Don't disturb visible mold.
• Don't wait to call for professional help! Immediate action can prevent further damage.

Fire and Smoke Damage Tips

Dos

• Call ServiceMaster of Charlottesville immediately. Corrosive byproducts from fire and smoke can cause irreversible damage in as few as 72 hours.
• Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling.
• Discard open food packages. The food may be contaminated.
• If electrical service is off, clean out the freezer and refrigerator. Leave the doors open.
• Send clothing and linens with substantial smoke damage to a professional restoration cleaner rather than a dry cleaner.
• Wipe Formica and chrome fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent permanent tarnishing.
• Wipe residue from porcelain bath fixtures to prevent etching.
• Wipe the leaves of houseplants to remove smoke residue.
• Tape cheesecloth over your intake and outlet air registers to capture any loose soot in the air.
• If the temperature is above 60 degrees, open doors and windows to air out the house and reduce smoke odor.

Don'ts

• Don't touch anything with your bare hands. Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing further damage.
• Don't attempt to clean painted walls or wallpaper. Incorrect cleaning can compound the soot residue.
• Don't attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
• Don't use electrical appliances without having them checked.
• Don't eat food exposed to fire or smoke.
• Don't use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.