Tips and Suggestions for Storm and Water Damage Situations

GALLATIN, TENNESSEE (Friday, September 09, 2005) - As a leader in fire and water damage cleanup and restoration, SERVPRO® receives numerous inquiries from homeowners and media contacts about how to deal with water damage whenever severe weather and natural disasters occur.
“Safety is, of course, the most important issue,” says SERVPRO® CEO Sue Steen. “If flooding, contaminated water, sewage and other factors are involved, homeowners clearly should evacuate – or at the very least obey what local government authorities are advising.”

“Providing the home is structurally safe, SERVPRO® recommends several actions homeowners can take after an incident to help in the cleanup and recovery from water damage to their home while they await the help of a professional cleanup service,” says Steen. The tips help homeowners save valuable possessions and money – particularly when storm and water damage is so severe that cleanup crews cannot respond immediately.

Steen says homeowners should:
• Safely turn the home’s water main off if running water inside the house is the source of the problem.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery and pillow cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on the maximum drying (in summer).
• Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting.
• Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Open and place luggage in sunlight to dry, if possible.
• Gather loose items, toys, etc. from floors.


Steen says homeowners should not:
• Leave wet fabrics in place. Dry fabrics as soon as possible and hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Use televisions or other household appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

If water damage has resulted in exposure to sewage and other harmful waste, Steen advises to:
• Stay out of the affected areas.
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
• Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage system damage.


Steen says not to:
• Attempt cleanup of any kind.
• Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.
• Eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses in affected areas.

Steen also notes that OSHA recommends a post-exposure medical examination for anyone encountering a hazardous waste problem and suggests contacting your local health department or physician.

Complete tips list for both fire and smoke damage and water damage are available at the SERVPRO® web site:

• http://www.servpro.com/residential/emergency tips.pdf

Founded in 1967, Servpro Industries, Inc. franchise system is a national leader and provider of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration services. SERVPRO's professional services network of more than 1,300 individually owned and operated franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar disasters affecting entire communities to those suffered by individual businesses and homes. Providing coverage in 48 states, SERVPRO® has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners. For more information, or to locate a franchisee in your area, call 1-800-SERVPRO.

For More Infromation Please contact:
Susan Phillips
Marketing Services Division Manager
Phone: (615) 451-0200
Email: sphillips@servepronet.com

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