EMERGENCY TIPS

Do's and Don'ts During Times of Disaster

Many homeowners find that when they experience a loss, whether it is a water loss or a fire, they have no idea what to do. They call their insurance company and are told to do whatever they can to stop the damage or mitigate the loss. Calling Kala, a certified Damage Restoration Contractor, is certainly a good first step to consider. Kala can handle everything from emergency water extraction, emergency board ups, roof tarps and any insurance related claims. Kala's team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are experts in the field of insurance repair, so call us for any emergency needs.

Phone: (866)-525-8119

Here are some tips for the homeowner should they experience a water damage or fire damage loss:

Do's & Dont's of Water Damage

Do's

  • If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
  • Use fans to circulate the air and assist drying.
  • Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
  • Wipe furniture dry.
  • lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
  • Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.
  • Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.
  • Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage to enhance drying.
  • Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
  • Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
  • Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
  • If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner, if available.

Don'ts

  • Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
  • Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors
  • Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
  • Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help. Lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage.

Sewage & Flood Damage

Do's

  • Treat all water-impacted surfaces and furnishings as toxic, until properly decontaminated.
  • Keep children and pets out of contaminated areas.

Do Not

  • Track contaminated material into undamaged areas
  • Attempt to decontaminate surfaces with sprays and other over-the-counter germicidal products, which may not fully disinfect contaminated surfaces.

The Things You Need To Know About Mold

  1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints
  2. There Is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment - The way to control indoor mold growth Is to control moisture!
  3. If mold is a problem in your home or office, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture
  4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth
  5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-80% ) to decrease mold growth by:
    • venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
    • using air conditioners and de-humiditlers
    • increasing ventilation
    • using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning
  6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materiale and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth
  7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent end dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced
  8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (ie., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding Insulation
  9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install soft floor covering (ie. bathrooms with leaks or frequent condensation)
  10. Molds can be found almost anywhere. They can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. Molds can grow on wood, paper, carpet foods, drywall and dust.