Frequently Asked Questions About Damage Restoration
In general, after any loss that results in an insurance claim, the following actions should be taken:
What can I do to help prevent a fire?
- Plan your escape route. Remember to get out, stay out, and call the fire department!
- If you have a grease fire, do not throw water on it.
- Do not overuse extension cords/power-strips, overloaded circuits, overloaded appliances.
- Empty your dryer lint trap after each use.
- Ensure appliances are properly installed and wired by a professional.
- Do not leave candles unattended or burn too close to flammable objects.
- Be mindful while smoking.
- Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
- Test smoke detectors monthly. If they're not working, change the batteries.
What should I do after a loss?
- Contact insurance agent immediately to understand what you're entitled to
- Document the source/date/time and save remnants and contents
- Contact McCardel Restoration to schedule a walkthrough and mitigate the loss to prevent secondary damage
- Close doors to the affected area
- Request rush items to be cleaned
- Open windows (weather permitting)
- Remove pets
- Limit movement in the property as it helps soot and mold to spread
- Change furnace filters and turn off heating/cooling
- Stay out of the room if the ceiling is sagging
- If possible, remove water by mopping/blotting
- Eliminate the source of the water if possible
- Watch out for detached/split/cracked tree branches inside or out
- Talk to a physician about a post-exposure medical evaluation
What should I NOT do after a loss?
- Enter the house until it has been inspected and given the "ok" to reenter.
- Cross contaminate.
- Use appliances.
- Use at-home carpet/upholstery cleaners.
- Throw away any damaged goods until inventory is taken.
- Take damaged linens/clothes to a dry cleaner.
- Consume anything exposed to heat/smoke/soot, it may be contaminated.
- Use personal hygiene items left in the affected area.
- Use the household vacuum to remove water.
- Use any electrical appliances while standing in a saturated area or go into a room with standing water while electricity is still on.
- Do not try and kill mold – dead spores are dangerous, too.
- Do not wait to take care of any loss.