Tips
The following emergency tips were compiled by members and staff of the National Institute of Disaster Restoration based on their wide experience with various types of damage.
Fire & Smoke Damage
After fire damage, it is natural to want to clean a building and its contents. Timely action can be a great help, but incorrect or delayed action can jeopardize or seriously impede satisfactory restoration.
- Clean and protect chrome trim on kitchen appliance with a light coating of Vaseline or other oil.
- Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smokes particles from upholstery, drapery and carpet.
- Open windows for ventilation.
- Change furnace filter if blower is operating.
- Empty freezer and refrigerator completely if electricity is off, and prop door open with a rolled towel or newspaper.
- Clean and protect smoked bathroom faucets, tub fittings and towel bars with a light coating of oil.
- Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, sinks, and tubs to prevent freezing if heat is off in winter.
- Wash plants with water on both sides of leaves (water softener helps).
- Call plumber to drain heating system if heat is off in winter.
- Remove pets (especially birds) to clean environment.
Do Not…
- Wipe or attempt to wash walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
- Use upholstered furniture if it can be avoided.
- Use exposed food items, or canned goods, which have been subjected to excessive heat.
- Use TVs, stereos, or electrical appliances until cleaned and checked.
- Send smoked garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke and odor.
10 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Millions of dollars are spent each year from insurance companies on claims from water damage occurring from frozen water pipes. When water freezes, it expands. If ice forms in the water pipes, it can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your home or business. If you expect the overnight temperatures outdoors to drop below freezing, those are the conditions where unprotected pipes are likely to burst. To prevent that from happening, Utah Disaster Kleenup suggests the following 10 tips on preventing water damage.
- Insulate pipes in basements, crawl spaces and the attic where the temperatures might drop below freezing.
- Seal any openings that allow cold air inside — like those around dryer vents, electrical wiring or pipes.
- In areas of potential freezing, have the water drip into the sink to keep the flow moving. Consider insulating pipes for further protection.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks and closets where pipes are located.
- Keep doors ajar between heated and unheated rooms.
- Make sure water has been turned off and drained to the swamp cooler and it has been winterized.
- Disconnect all hoses from outside faucets. Cover outside faucets connected to the house.
- Know where to turn off water to the house. Show everyone in the house where it is located and how to shut it off.
- If the house is unheated, turn off water at the meter and open all faucets to drain water in lines. Flush all toilets and add antifreeze to toilet tanks.
- If on vacation, keep heat in home no lower than 55 degrees and have someone check on the home daily.
If Pipes are Frozen:
- Look and see if you can locate a break before thawing.
- Increase temperatures in the home to help warm pipes.
- Try to run the water, it may help thaw the pipe.
- If a break is located, immediately turn off the water to the house to prevent further damage.
- Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or open flame, this could cause a fire and more damage.
- A hair dryer works well for thawing pipes.
- A heating pad can also be used to thaw pipes.
- Move boxes and items off of the floor so they do not get damaged if flooding occurs.
- If flooding occurs, unplug electric items, which may come in contact with water.
- If necessary, call a plumber or restoration company for assistance.
Ice Damming on Roofs:
Utah Disaster Kleenup also sees damage to homes and businesses with ice dams on rooftops. Ice dams occur when heavy snow buildup melts during the day and then refreezes when temperatures drop overnight. It is common for the melted water and ice to work up under the shingles until the water enters the attic and eventually does damage to the ceilings, walls and furnishings.
Prevention of Ice Dams:
- Make sure soffits and attic spaces are properly insulated and vented.
- Inspect gutters and downspouts. Clean them out so water can run off.
- Use electric de-icing cables on the roof to keep the ice from forming.
- Install de-icing cables in gutters and downspouts.
- Once Ice Dams have occurred, it is difficult to combat the destructive effects.
- Call an electrical contractor for information on de-icing systems and proper installation.
- Never use an axe or shovel to remove ice. You could cause damage to your roof.
- Avoid climbing on the roof to avoid a slip and fall injury.
If you would like more tips please contact us at: 801-938-7334 or send us your contact information>> and we will contact you.
