Tips To Help With Your Emergency

Below are tips to aid you with a water or fire damage emergency.  Please do not hesitate to contact Stanley Restoration if you have further questions or would like immediate assistance.  We are always available to help.

Water Damage Tips

1. Please consider your personal safety and the safety of others first and foremost.  Depending on the severity of the water damage, portions of the structure or the water-contamination itself may pose a hazard.   Be aware of falling debris, electrical hazards, and any type of structural deficiency that may cause injury.
2. Be aware of the water be contaminated or may become contaminated itself.Do not cross-contaminate by moving from affected areas to unaffected areas if possible.  If possible, don protective clothing such as gloves, boots, and eye-wear.
   
   
3. Identify the water source and if necessary take measures to shut the water off at the source or to the entire property.  Do not discard any evidence of the water source as your insurance claims professional will need it later for claims documentation.
4. It is the responsibility of the property owner to preserve, protect, and secure the property from further damage—contact Stanley Restoration, an IICRC-Certified Firm, immediately to begin consultation and/or mitigation services.  Do not wait for your insurance claims professional to arrive on scene before commencing mitigation (see below).  Additional time may complicate the mitigation process and can accelerate damages.  Additional damage (mold, mildew, structural, etc.) may not be covered by your insurance company and may place occupants at further risk.  Insurance policies realize that reasonable mitigation measures performed by IICRC Certified Firms are absolutely necessary and are perfectly acceptable.
   
        mit·i·ga·tion[mit-i-gey-shuhn] noun.  1.  The act of mitigating, or lessening the force or intensity of something unpleasant.  2.  The act of
        making a condition or consequence less severe.
   
5. Document with videos or photos (smart phones will suffice in a pinch) the damage to the property and any contents that may have been damaged.  Carry a notepad and pen with you and write down questions as they arise.  These events can be traumatizing and you may find it difficult to focus.
6. Ventilate the structure by opening doors and windows if feasible.  Air circulation will aid in the mitigation process.  During warmer months utilize the HVAC system.
7. Secure any valuables, firearms, and documents that are affected or have the potential to become affected.  Secure contents that are not affected and place them in an appropriate unaffected area.  Remove affected materials from the property.  Be very careful to not cross-contaminate unaffected areas with contents that may be contaminated.

Fire & Smoke Damage Tips

1. Please consider your personal safety and the safety of others first and foremost.  Depending on the severity of the fire & smoke damage, portions of the structure and/or the smoke itself may pose a hazard.   Be aware of falling debris, electrical hazards, and any type of structural deficiency that may cause injury.  Portions of the structure may become completely unsafe!  Be aware of the air quality and burnt or charred materials.  Most fires also will contain an element of water damage due to the extinguishing process.  If possible, don protective clothing such as gloves, boots, eye-wear, and some sort of respiratory protection.  Fire officials should advise you on the integrity of the property.
2. Be very wary of companies and/or public adjusters who arrive at your property uninvited.  These companies typically listen to police and fire department channels and will engage in high-pressure sales to reach a binding agreement moments after you've experience a traumatizing loss.  These companies typically may engage in unethical actions and attempt to take advantage of you in a disoriented/confused state.  Furthermore, these companies or public adjusters may charge excessive amounts above and beyond of what your insurance deems normal.  Individuals are typically left to pay the difference on their own or face collections agencies and/or creditors.  It is much more advisable to contact your insurance agent or insurance company for a referral of a trusted company.  Choose your company wisely.
3. Keep clear of the source of the fire if possible.  Most likely fire inspectors and your insurance claims professional will need to complete a cause/origin report.

4. It is the responsibility of the property owner to preserve, protect, and secure the property from further damage—thus the need to contact an IICRC-Certified Firm immediately to begin mitigation services.  Do not wait for an insurance claims professional to arrive on scene before commencing emergency mitigation.  Insurance policies realize that reasonable mitigation measures performed by IICRC Certified Firms are absolutely necessary and are completely acceptable.  Your insurance claims professional may wish to meet with your firm prior to any major mitigation services are rendered.

5. Document with videos or photos (smart phones will suffice in a pinch) the damage to the property and any contents that may have been damaged.  Carry a notepad and pen with you and write down questions as they arise.  These events can be traumatizing and you may find it difficult to focus.
6. Ventilate the property by opening doors and windows if feasible.  Air circulation will aid in the mitigation process.  Do not run your HVAC system as this may spread soot and odor.
7. Secure any valuables, firearms, and documents that are affected or have the potential to become affected.  Secure contents that are not affected and place them in an appropriate unaffected area.   Do not utilize or clean electronic components.  Professional cleaning must be utilized to guarantee product life.
8. Do not attempt to clean contents or structure without proper consultation.
9. Do not attempt to clean clothes that have been affected.  Professional cleaning must be utilized to prevent permanent odors.