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Few experiences are as disheartening as coping with the aftermath of a fire or water disaster; the devastation to your home and possessions can cost many thousands of dollars to correct and cleaning up can be an arduous task. If you have evacuated your house due to a natural or environmental disaster, don’t return until you are advised by local or federal authorities that any danger is past. Call your insurance agent as soon as possible; an insurance adjuster will be assigned to assess the damage. Prepare to re-enter your house safely; if you have any doubt about its structural safety, don’t enter it until it’s inspected by a local or federal building authority or a certified home inspector. When your house is safe to enter and upon permission of your insurance agent, begin your cleaning-up operation as soon as possible; take photographs or use a video camera to record the damage before you start. The Troubleshooting Guide puts emergency procedures for cleaning up after a fire or water disaster at your fingertips for quick-action steps to take. Ventilate your house as soon as possible, opening the windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate. In addition to basic cleaning tools and supplies, you are likely to require some specialty equipment, usually available at a tool rental center. Rent a gas-powered generator to run dehumidifiers, fans and other electrical equipment needed in your cleaning-up operation. Remove standing water using a trash pump, submersible pump, wet-dry vacuum or mop. Clean and disinfect the walls, ceilings and floors. To salvage household possessions, clean and dry them as quickly as possible. Complete the cleaning up of the house interior before turning your attention to the house exterior and the yard. The list of Safety Tips covers guidelines for performing a basic cleaning-up operation after a fire or water disaster. Always wear the proper safety gear recommended for the job, avoiding any risk of contact with the toxins produced by a fire or of infection from contaminated water-both of which can carry long-term detrimental effects to your health. When disposing of any fire- or water-damaged material or any substance resulting from a fire or water disaster, keep in mind its impact on the environment. Recommended safe disposal methods can vary from community to community; call your local department of public works, the mayor's office or an environmental protection agency for the disposal regulations in effect for your community. When in doubt about your ability to handle the aftermath of a fire or water disaster, don’t hesitate to call for help. Post the telephone number for your insurance agent, each of your utilities, the fire department and your local or federal building authority near the telephone; qualified professionals can answer questions about your clean-up operation. === SAFETY TIPS 1. Locate and label or tag the main shutoff for each utility in your home: electricity; gas; propane; water; oil; in the aftermath of a fire or water disaster, you will want anyone to be able to find them quickly. 2. Don’t return to your house after a major natural or environmental disaster until the authorities declare the area is safe. If you doubt the structural safety of your house, don’t enter it until it’s inspected by a local or federal building authority or a certified home inspector. 3. If you are returning to an isolated area, tell someone who will notify the proper authorities if you don’t report back. 4. Stay away from fallen power lines; don’t enter your house if power lines are touching it. Report any fallen power line to your electricity utility, the fire department or another appropriate authority. 5. If you return home and detect the odor of gas, don’t enter the house; call the gas company or the fire department immediately. Don’t light any flame or smoke in the house until it’s thoroughly aired out; pockets of gas may be trapped in areas of it. 6. Before beginning your cleaning-up operation, call the electricity utility to confirm that power to your house is shutoff; as an added precaution, shutoff power at the service panel. Shutoff the main gas supply; main propane supply. If necessary, also shutoff the main water supply. Call your water utility to check if the water supply is contaminated. 7. Wear the proper protective gear for your cleaning-up operation: rubber boots, rubber gloves and rain gear when working with fire- or water-damaged items and materials; safety goggles when working overhead; a hard hat to protect your head against falling debris. 8. Wear a respirator when removing soot or working with chemical products that generate toxic particles or fumes; choose a filter that is specially made to block the particles or fumes and replace it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Wear an anti-bacterial mask to avoid the risk of infection from contaminated water. 9. Ventilate the house as quickly as possible and keep any area in which you are working well ventilated. If you feel dizzy, faint or sick, leave the house immediately and get fresh air, then improve ventilation before continuing your cleaning-up operation. 10. Keep children and pets away from the work site. When you finish cleaning up for the day, change after leaving the work site and launder your work clothes separately. Rinse off your tools and equipment with clean water and leave them outdoors to dry. 11. Take periodic breaks from your cleaning-up operation to rest and inspect the work that you have done. Never persist with your cleaning-up operation when you are fatigued. 12. When disposing of substances that may be contaminated or any household cleaners, solvents and paints, don’t pour them down a house drain or into a septic system. Call your local department of public works, the mayor's office or an environmental protection agency for the disposal regulations in effect for your community. 13. Keep at least one fire extinguisher rated ABC (55) on hand and know how to use it. 14. Never mix ammonia with household bleach; the solution produces deadly fumes. 15. Have each utility in your house restored only after your system is professionally inspected. === 133--- Sponge mop--Use wet or damp to apply cleaners and disinfectants; use with extension to reach ceilings and walls without ladder. Pressure sprayer--Gas-powered sprayer attaches to garden hose to clean house exterior; provides 1000 to 1500 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure. Available at tool rental centers. Dry-chemical sponge--Removes heavy soot particles from walls and ceilings; does not smear greasy soot particles into finished surfaces. Available at specialized paint and cleaning Supply stores. Power washer--For cleaning house exterior, has built-in compartment for liquid detergent and attaches to garden hose, providing 80 to 100 pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure. Available at hardware stores and tool rental centers. Rubber boots--Wear high, leakproof rubber boots; should be heavy-soled to protect feet from protruding nail heads. Chemical cartridge respirator--Interchangeable canisters filter out toxic vapors; follow manufacturer's instructions for use. Anti-bacterial mask-- Disposable mask protects against inhalation of bacteria; works effectively for up to 2 hours. Available at medical supply stores. Rubber gloves-- Extra-heavy gloves should extend halfway up forearm to protect skin from contact with hazardous sub stances. Dehumidifier --Draws moisture out of air, reducing humidity level during cleanup. Hard hat --Protects head from falling debris and unseen overhead obstacles. Trash pump-- Gas-powered specialty pump for removing water, mud and silt; available at tool rental centers. ----- ---- TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE SYMPTOM [ Aftermath of fire or water disaster Roof or exterior wall buckled or collapsed Ceiling sagging or bulging; water dripping from it Standing water Soot, smoke or fire-extinguisher residue Pervasive odor after clean up] PROCEDURE [ After natural or environmental disaster, don’t return home until authorities declare area safe Call insurance agent immediately If structural safety of house doubted, don’t enter it until inspected Re-enter house safely -- Release trapped water from ceilings -- Remove standing water with trash pump (136); submersible pump, wet-dry vacuum, mop (72) Clean up mud and debris -- Ventilate house as quickly as possible -- Clean up soot, smoke or fire-extinguisher residue -- Clean and disinfect -- Salvage household possessions -- Clean house exterior (140 Clear debris from yard -- Dispose of contaminated materials according to local environmental regulations Call insurance agent immediately Don’t enter house until inspected Re-enter house safely -- Salvage household possessions -- Dispose of contaminated materials according to local environmental regulations Call insurance agent immediately Re-enter house safely -- Release trapped water from ceiling -- Remove standing water with trash pump (136); submersible pump, wet-dry vacuum, mop; Clean up mud and debris -- Ventilate house as quickly as possible -- Clean and disinfect -- Salvage household possessions -- Dispose of contaminated materials according to local environmental regulations Call insurance agent immediately Re-enter house safely -- Remove standing water with trash pump (136); submersible pump, wet-dry vacuum, mop; Clean up mud and debris -- Ventilate house as quickly as possible -- Clean and disinfect -- Salvage household possessions -- Dispose of contaminated materials according to local environmental regulations Call insurance agent immediately Re-enter house safely -- Ventilate house as quickly as possible -- Clean up soot, smoke and fire-extinguisher residue -- Clean and disinfect -- Salvage household possessions -- Clean house exterior -- Dispose of contaminated materials according to local environmental regulations Have house professionally deodorized] ---- ---- 135 -- RE-ENTERING YOUR HOUSE AFTER A FIRE OR WATER DISASTER Re-entering your house safety. The water used to fight a fire or from a flood, severe plumbing leak or backed-up drain can result in extensive structural damage to your home-causing floors to buckle and lift, walls to crumble and ceilings to collapse. As well, your home and its contents can be left vulnerable to mildew and fungus growth, wood rot, and pervasive, lingering odors. Call your insurance agent immediately to have the damage assessed. If you doubt the structural safety of your house, don’t enter it until it’s inspected by a local or federal building authority or a certified home inspector. When your house is safe to enter and upon permission of your insurance agent, begin your cleaning-up operation following the safety precautions listed below: • Check with your electricity utility to confirm that power to your house is shut off; to prevent electricity from being restored without your knowledge, shut off power at the service panel. • Confirm that the main gas supply is shut off; that the main propane supply is shut off. • Check with your water utility to find out if the water supply is contaminated; wear an anti-bacterial mask to avoid the risk of infection. If necessary, shut off the main water supply. • Notify local authorities that you are going into the house and go back only by daylight. Stay away from any fallen power line; Don’t light any flame or smoke; any leaked gas may have collected in areas of the house. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and call the gas company or the fire department to report the leak. • Wear high, leakproof rubber boots with heavy soles, rubber gloves and rain gear; wear a hard hat to protect your head from unseen overhead obstacles. Bring a battery-operated, heavy-duty flash light with you to inspect the damage to your house. • Walk cautiously through the house. Before entering each room, inspect the ceiling; stand in the doorway and use a broom handle to knock down any damage (step below). Check the floor for holes, buckled boards and protruding nail heads. Before climbing any stairs, check the strength of the banister by shaking it; check the strength of each tread by using one foot to place weight on it. • Ventilate the house, opening the windows and the doors; if necessary, set up fans and dehumidifiers using a gas-powered generator. • Have electricity to the house restored only after any standing water is removed and your system is professionally inspected. Plug any electrical tool or appliance you need to complete your cleaning-up operation only into an outlet protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). === CHECKING A CEILING 135--- Releasing trapped water. Prepare to re-enter your house safely (step above), making sure that electricity and the gas supply is shut off; as an added precaution, shut off power at the service panel and shut off the main gas sup ply; main propane supply. If you suspect the water supply is contaminated or there is a leaking pipe, shut off the main water supply. Before entering each room, check the ceiling for bulges and other signs of damage. Wearing safety goggles and a hard hat, stand in the doorway of the room and poke the ceiling forcefully using the handle of a broom or mop, piercing a hole to release any trapped water, if necessary; be prepared to step back quickly in the event a section of the ceiling collapses. If necessary, stand on a stepladder or add an extension onto the handle to reach the ceiling. Enter the room cautiously, piercing as many holes in the ceiling as necessary to release any trapped water; never stand directly under a bulging section. After checking the ceiling of each room and releasing any trapped water, remove any standing water, then clean up any mud and debris, and ventilate the house. REMOVING STANDING WATER WITH A TRASH PUMP 136ab--- 1. Setting up the trash pump. Prepare to re-enter the house safely. To remove less than 18 inches of standing water, use a submersible pump, wet-dry vacuum or mop. To remove 18 inches or more of standing water, use a gas-powered trash pump, available at a tool rental center; rent an intake nose long enough to reach from outside the house and a discharge hose long enough to reach to an outdoor municipal storm drain. Position the pump on level ground outside the house. Push the intake hose onto the in take pipe and the discharge hose onto the discharge pipe, then close the clamps. Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the plug of the priming tank , then fill the priming tank with clean water and reinstall the plug. Fill the fuel tank with gasoline following the manufacturer's instructions. 136c--- 2. Pumping out standing water. Position the discharge hose at the storm drain. Following the manufacturer's instructions, turn on and start the pump, holding it firmly to pull the starter cord (inset). When the pump starts, adjust the choke until the engine runs smoothly. Wearing rubber boots, rubber gloves and an anti-bacterial mask, lower the intake hose through an open window until the strainer is submerged. Allow the pump to run, repositioning the intake hose as necessary to keep the strainer submerged; if the engine whines, lift out the intake hose and remove any debris from the strainer. If the pump requires refueling, turn it off and wait at least 15 minutes for the engine to cool. When the water level drops below the strainer, remove the remaining standing water using a submersible pump, wet-dry vacuum or mop. Clean up any mud and debris, then ventilate the house. CLEANING UP MUD AND DEBRIS 137ab--- 1. Removing mud and debris. Prepare to re-enter the house safely, then remove any standing water using a trash pump, submersible pump, wet-dry vacuum or mop. Wearing rubber boots, rubber gloves and an anti-bacterial mask, push the mud and debris into a pile using a broom, mop or squeegee, then scoop it into a garbage can lined with a plastic garbage bag using a shovel ; fill the bag only halfway, then knot it and take it out of the can. Repeat the procedure until the mud and debris is removed. Dispose of the garbage bags filled with mud and debris according to the regulations of your local municipality. 2. Rinsing off ceilings, walls and floors. Use a garden hose to rinse oft ceilings, walls and floors with clean water; if necessary, have any plumbing repair undertaken, then turn on the main water supply. Start on the ceiling, then do each wall in turn, working vertically from top to bottom on a small section at one time; on the floor, work from the perimeter to any drain or from one side to the other side of the room. Remove any standing water using a mop or a wet-dry vacuum; if necessary, set up a gas-powered generator. Then, ventilate the house. VENTILATING THE HOUSE Airing out the house. Prepare to re-enter the house safely. Remove any standing water using a trash pump and clean up any mud and debris, then ventilate the house as quickly as possible. Try to maintain a constant indoor temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit; higher temperatures en courage mildew and fungus growth. If necessary, set up a gas-powered generator to run temporary heating sources and other ventilation equipment. Open the windows and doors; if the weather is too cold to leave them opened, open them periodically as moisture condenses on the windows, then close them after a few minutes. Also open interior closets, cupboards and drawers to air them out. Ventilate each inside and outside interior wall damaged by water. To draw excess moisture out of the air, use a dehumidifier, available at a tool rental center; elevate the dehumidifier 3 to 4 feet off the floor and empty the water pan before it fills up. Set up fans to increase air circulation and maximize cross-ventilation; don’t aim a fan directly at a dehumidifier. Remove any soot, smoke and fire-extinguisher residue, then clean and disinfect. CLEANING AND DISINFECTING 138ab--- Scrubbing off dirt and bacteria. Prepare to re-enter the house safely. Remove any standing water using a trash pump, clean up any mud and debris, then ventilate the house as quickly as possible. Remove any soot, smoke and fire-extinguisher residue (step below). Wearing rubber boots, rubber gloves and an anti-bacterial mask, clean off dirt using a solution of mild household detergent and warm water; wear safety goggles when working overhead. Use a cloth to scrub the ceiling , changing often to a clean cloth. Scrub each wall in turn the same way, working vertically from top to bottom on a small section at one time; work from bottom to top if you are cleaning up after a fire to minimize soot stains. Use a squeegee or a sponge mop to scrub the floor, working from the perimeter to any drain or from one side to the other side of the room; if the floor is concrete, scrub with a stiff-bristled brush. Rinse off the ceiling, walls and floor using clean water. On tough stains, repeat the procedure, mixing 2 to 3 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP) per gallon of warm water in a plastic bucket. To disinfect, repeat the procedure, mixing 1 to 2 cups of household bleach per gallon of warm water in a plastic bucket. CLEANING UP AFTER A FIRE Removing soot, smoke and fire-extinguisher residue. Prepare to re-enter the house safely. Remove any standing water using a trash pump, clean up any mud and debris, then ventilate the house as quickly as possible. Wearing rubber boots, rubber gloves and a respirator fitted with a filter for toxic vapors, use a wet-dry vacuum to remove soot, smoke and fire-extinguisher residue ; wear safety goggles when working overhead. If necessary, set up a gas-powered generator to run the wet dry vacuum. Wipe off ceilings and walls using a dry chemical sponge, also known as a dry painter's sponge, available at a specialty paint or cleaning supply store. Start on the ceiling, then do each wall in turn, working vertically from top to bottom on a small section at one time ; as the outside layer of the sponge becomes soot-stained, use a utility knife to slice it off. Then, clean and disinfect (step above), minimizing soot stains by scrubbing walls from bottom to top. === SALVAGING HOUSEHOLD POSSESSIONS Salvaging fire- and water-damaged possessions. A fire or water disaster can result in thousands of dollars of damage to household possessions; often, items that are severely damaged cannot be salvaged. Prepare to re-enter your house safely and call your insurance agent immediately to have the damage assessed. By acting quickly, you can try to salvage some items that are not severely damaged; for any expensive rug, artwork, antique or family heirloom, immediately call a professional cleaner or restorer. Take photographs or make a video of the damage as proof of loss, then begin your salvage operation using the guidelines listed below. • Rugs and carpets. Clean and let dry, then brush or vacuum (step below); call professional cleaner or restorer. • Wooden furniture. Clean and let dry; apply furniture oil to protect finish and prevent warping or call professional restorer. • Upholstered furniture. Use wet-dry vacuum to extract moisture, then let dry; clean using stift-bristled brush. To remove stains and mildew, call professional cleaner. • Bedding. Use wet-dry vacuum to extract moisture, then let dry; feather pillows can be dried in clothes dryer. • Washable clothing and household linens. Sort by color, then hang to dry away from direct sources of heat; shake or brush, rinse in cool water, then wash and dry according to fabric instructions. To remove stains and mildew from bleachable items, use solution of 1/2 cup of household bleach per gallon of lukewarm water. • Leather goods. Wipe with clean, damp cloth; open items such as suitcases, handbags and purses, stuff them and items such as foot wear with crushed paper, and let dry away from direct sources of heat. To remove stains and mildew, use solution of 1 part denatured alcohol and 1 part water, then let dry; apply saddle soap or polish to protect finish. • Books and papers. Place water-soaked items in working freezer to stop mildew growth. Stand damp books on end with pages opened and separate wet papers, then let dry; stack dry books in piles to prevent pages from crumpling. • Household appliances and electronic units. Don’t use until professionally serviced. Wipe using solution of mild household detergent and warm water, then disinfect using solution of 1 tablespoon household bleach per gallon of warm water. To prevent corrosion, apply light machine oil to exposed metal parts. • Locks and hinges. Clean and lubricate. • Cooking utensils. Use fine steel wool to remove rust. Wash using solution of mild household detergent and warm water, then disinfect: soak metal items for 5 minutes in boiling water; soak glassware, porcelain, plastic and enamelware for 10 minutes in solution of 1 tablespoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of hot water. Rinse thoroughly in clean water. === 139a--- Salvaging rugs and carpets. For a fire- damaged rug or carpet, call a professional cleaner or restorer. To salvage a water-damaged rug or carpet, wear rubber boots and rubber gloves; if you suspect it’s contaminated, also wear an anti-bacterial mask. Roll up a rug and any underlayment, and take them outdoors; for a carpet, increase ventilation. Wash off any mud and debris with clean water; use a gar den hose to spray each side of a rug and any underlayment. Use a wet-dry vacuum to extract moisture. Hang up a rug and any underlayment to dry, setting them out on a clothesline, sawhorses or the backs of chairs. Then, clean off any dried residue using a stiff bristled brush or vacuum. To remove tough stains, use a commercial shampoo or call a professional cleaner or restorer. 140-ab-- SALVAGING_HOUSEHOLD POSSESSIONS (continued) Salvaging locks and hinges. Use a clean towel, cloth or sponge to clean and dry the locks, hinges and other metal hardware of doors, windows, furniture and other household items. For best results, remove the hardware to clean and dry it; or, on an internal mechanism such as a door lock, use compressed air, spraying short bursts through each opening. To remove rust, rub gently with fine steel wool. To lubricate locks, hinges and other metal hardware, use a clean cloth to apply a small amount of light machine oil; or, on an internal mechanism such as a door lock, use a petroleum-based lubricant spray, squirting a small amount around the dead bolt and working the latch back and forth or into the keyhole and then turning the key back and forth. Salvaging wooden furniture. Wearing rubber gloves, take the furniture outdoors to dry, keeping it out of direct sunlight; remove any drawers or shelves and open any doors. If the weather is inclement, move the furniture to the garage or carport; otherwise, increase ventilation --. If necessary, elevate the furniture and place plastic sheeting under any metal casters to avoid staining the floor or any rug or carpet. Use a clean towel, cloth or sponge to clean and dry the furniture. To remove mildew, use a solution of 4 to 6 tablespoons of baking soda or trisodium phosphate (TSP) per gallon of water, then rinse with clean water. Apply furniture oil to protect the finish and prevent warping or call a professional restorer. 140c--- CLEANING_THE HOUSE EXTERIOR Using a power sprayer. To clean off the house exterior, use a gas-powered pressure washer -- or a power sprayer, available at a hardware store or a tool rental center. Close the windows and doors, tape plastic sheeting over lighting fixtures, outlets and vents, and cover nearby vegetation. Following the manufacturer's instructions, connect a garden hose to the power sprayer (inset) and fill the soap reservoir with mild liquid detergent. To use the power sprayer, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, rain gear and safety goggles; if you are washing off soot or other toxic particles, also wear a respirator fitted with a filter for toxic vapors. Open the faucet, then aim the sprayer at the house exterior, keeping it about 18 inches away from the surface. Holding the sprayer with both hands, turn it on and push the barrel for ward for a spray of soap and water. Starting at one end of a wall, wash off the house exterior, working from soffit to foundation in successive 5-foot wide sections ; don’t point the sprayer at doors or windows. To stop the flow of water, turn off the sprayer. Rinse off the house exterior the same way, pulling the barrel back for a spray of only water. 141ab-- Using a pressure washer. To clean off the house exterior, use a power sprayer or a gas-powered pressure washer, available at a tool rental center. Close the windows and doors, tape plastic sheeting over lighting fixtures, outlets and vents, and cover nearby vegetation. Following the manufacturer's instructions, connect a garden hose to the pressure washer and snap a small nozzle onto the end of the spray wand. To use the pressure washer, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, rain gear and safety goggles; if you are washing off soot or other toxic particles, also wear a respirator fitted with a filter for toxic vapors. Open the faucet, then aim the spray wand at the ground and squeeze the trigger until a steady stream of water flows; to stop the flow of water, release the trigger. Start the pressure washer following the manufacturer's instructions. Then, holding the spray wand with both hands, aim it at the house exterior, keeping it about 18 inches away from the surface, and squeeze the trigger. Starting at one end of a wall, wash off the house exterior, working from soffit to foundation in successive 5-foot wide sections ; don’t point the spray wand at doors or windows. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to turn off the pressure washer. CLEARING DEBRIS FROM THE YARD 141cd--- Cleaning up the yard. Allow the ground to dry until it’s firm enough to walk on; if necessary, lay down wide boards to walk on to avoid compacting wet soil. To work in the yard, wear rubber boots and work gloves; if you suspect the soil or any vegetation is contaminated, wear rubber gloves. If you suspect a mature tree may fall, set up a temporary barricade to keep others away and call a tree professional. If necessary, support any young tree by tying it to a stake driven into the ground. Use a spade to dig up any severely damaged vegetation; if you suspect the soil or any vegetation is contaminated, check with your local or state department of health before eating any fruit or vegetable from your gar den. Gather up broken branches arid other debris by hand or rake debris into piles (above. right) and shovel it into a plastic garbage bag. Wash dirt and debris off vegetation using clean water from a garden hose. If necessary, dilute any excess salts in the soil by soaking it thoroughly with clean water from a garden hose or sprinkler. Dispose of debris from the yard following the regulations of your local municipality. Previous: Environmental
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