Disaster Restoration
 

No loss is too small --- or too large. ServiceMaster Clean has the resources to handle any situation from regional floodwaters, broken pipes, and building fires to residuals from forest fires, hurricanes acts of vandalism, and even acts of terrorism. We’ve restored everything from a single room to the Pentagon after 9/11.
 

We understand how important it is for you to have the full use of your business as quickly and cost effectively as possible. Your professional image, your valuable property and your ability to serve your customers depend on our performance, so it’s a responsibility we take very seriously.
 

Disaster Restoration Services may include:
 

• Fire and smoke restoration
• Water damage mitigation
• Drying and dehumidification
• Document drying and recovery
• Building stabilization
• Controlled demolition
• Safety and compliance
• Project management and consultation services
• Reconstruction with large loss capabilities
   

With our 866 RECOVER emergency response program, ServiceMaster Clean will get you back in business quickly. Our rigorously trained and certified Quality Restoration Vendors respond quickly at the local level for both large and small losses.
 

Benefits of 866 RECOVER:
 

• One number to call: 1-866-RECOVER
• 24/7/365 emergency response
• Emergency services begin within two to four hours of the initial call*
• Highly trained, uniformed, and insured recovery specialists
• Emergency procedures planning assistance
• Priority status in the event of area or regional disasters*
   

*866 RECOVER accounts receive priority service in all catastrophic events; calls must be placed through 1-866-RECOVER. Depending on the severity of the disaster, initial response times may differ.

Do’s and Don’ts the Day After
 

After damage from a fire, water leaks, or smoke, what you do first can make a big difference --- for good or bad. While you want to restore some sense of normalcy to your space and your employees/tenants, doing the wrong thing can make the damage worse.
 

Fire and Smoke Damage
 

DO

• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes, and carpets.
• Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent addition soiling --- and “ground in” soot.
• Discard and open food packages (Food could be contaminated by chemicals released in the fire).
• Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a professional restoration cleaner rather than a dry cleaner.
• Clean Formica and fixtures (both chrome and porcelain) in the bath and kitchen to prevent permanent tarnishing.
• Wipe the leaves of surviving plants to remove smoke residue.
• Change the furnace/AC filter.
• Tape damp cheese cloth over air outlets (both intake and output) to capture loose soot in the air (and to reduce damage to our system).
• If the outside temperature and security procedures will allow it, air out the building to reduce smoke odor.

DON’T

• Do not try to wash any papered or flat painted walls.
• Do not try to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
• Do not use electrical appliances before they’ve been checked.
• Do not use ceiling fixtures before they’ve been checked.
• Try not to touch things --- and keep your hands as cleans as possible. Soot on your hands can “migrate” to places that didn’t have any.
• Do not eat any food that had been exposed to fire or smoke.
• Do not wait to call for professional help --- Response in the first 24 hours can make a HUGE difference in how much is saved.
   

Water Damage
 

DO

• Cut off the power, if you can do so without standing in a damp place.
• If the outside temperature and security procedures will allow it, air out the building, using dehumidifiers and fans.
• Remove as much water as possible by blotting or mopping.
• Wipe furniture dry.
• Lift draperies off the carpet.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying.
• Remove area rugs or floor coverings, if wet.
• For wet furniture, if it has doors or drawers, open them to improve drying.
• Move photos, paintings, or other art objects to safe locations.
• Remove damp books from shelves and open to dry, flipping the pages from time to time.
• If it’s cold outside, leave your heat on. If it’s hot outside, leave your AC on.
   

DON’T

• Do not use an ordinary vacuum to remove water.
• Do not use electrical appliances on wet carpets or floors.
• Do not do into rooms with standing water if the power is still turned on.
• Don’t lift tacked down carpet. (Doing this wrong could increase shrinkage --- let the professional handle it.)
• Don’t wait to call a professional. Water damage starts at once and gets worse as time passes. Bacterial growth can start in just a few hours. A professional response in the first 24 hours can make all the difference.

“Before Disaster Strikes…”

You can’t prevent a disaster, but you can do more than just buy insurance. The steps you take BEFORE disaster strikes can make a big difference in saving you time, money, and inconvenience… and get you back in business faster.

Figure the odds. Make a list. --- Consider what sort of disaster types and scenarios that could strike your building or business, starting with the “most likely.” Storms, fires, and burst pipes may be the most obvious. Floods, earthquakes, or tornadoes may be lower on the list. Even consider potential disasters like power failures, hearting or cooling system shutdowns.
 

Pre-qualify Outside Sources. Depending on the nature of the disaster, here are some people you might need:

• Structural Engineers
• Restoration Company
• Electrical Engineers
• Plumbers
• Communications Systems Specialists
• Building Contractors or Carpenters
   

Again, don’t wait until after disaster strikes. Have company names and phone numbers of reliable sources ready as soon as you need them. Meet them and review references. Look at their actual experience and the types of jobs they’ve done. Make sure you know their emergency response procedures --- and how fast they will come to you after a disaster.
 

Other Lists
 

Inventory all equipment and supplies. Don’t count on employee memories, especially after the shock of a disaster. These records will be critical for insurance claims. In addition to lists, video tape all property contents and structures. Store the lists and tape ELSEWHERE.

Have a communications plan for employees or tenants, so they know what to do or where to call during and emergency.