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Hurricanes Have Lasting Effects on Homeowners
Follow these tips to protect your health and home
WACO, Texas (Aug. 28, 2008) – Gulf Coast-area and surrounding residents faced with heavy rains and rising waters from hurricanes are left battling for their health and home. Homeowners need to take quick, preventative action to prevent additional damage.
“During Hurricane Dolly, our team worked countless hours under strenuous conditions,” said Rosalie Gutierrez, of the Rainbow International of Brownsville franchise. “I worked as the ‘heat keeper’, making sure our team stayed hydrated and healthy. Often, workers suffering from the early signs of heat related illness don’t know until the nausea hits. It’s important to monitor your team’s health as they work to restore the customer’s home. With 100 degree temperatures and no electricity, we still managed to safely dry 10,000 square feet in a 27-story condominium.”
The Rainbow International of Brownsville franchise advises homeowners to follow these tips:
• Make sure the water source is turned off. This will help contain the damage.
• Turn off the breaker in the damaged area before you unplug or remove any electrical devices located on the
wet carpet.
• Place aluminum foil under the legs of any furniture which is in contact with wet carpet. This might help
prevent furniture stains on your carpet.
• Pin up upholstered furniture skirts which may get wet.
• Remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants, and other items which may stain wet carpet.
• Call a heating and cooling service professional immediately to clean, dry and perform a safety check on
your heating and air conditioning system before damage and bacterial growth can occur. Also be sure to
call an IICRC certified restoration professional for your home’s structural integrity.
• Don’t use your home vacuum, since electrical shock may result, as well as certain damage to the
equipment itself.
• Removing water quickly by a professional helps prevent health risks and long term structural damage.
“Besides the obvious problems of mold, mildew and other health issues, there is another potentially hazardous problem concerning electric, gas or fuel oil furnaces, water heaters and other appliances that have been exposed to water,” said Tony Kelly, of Aire Serv® of N. Central Florida franchise. “While the equipment may be in working order, a serious life-threatening hazard may exist if it’s turned on. A diagnostic check must be done on the equipment and duct system.”
The Aire Serv of the N. Central Florida recommends these tips if residents fall victim to water damage:
• Do not use your heating or cooling system if they were under water. Contaminates from the flood water may
be blown into your home and the safety controls on your system may not function properly.
• Have a professional heating and cooling provider clean or hose out ventilation ducts before using the air
conditioner or furnace.
• Watch for a musty odor. This can be a signal that there is growth of microorganisms.
• Never use anything with an open flame or internal combustion engine indoors, as this may introduce
dangerous carbon monoxide into the home. This includes gas-powered generators, lanterns and camp
stoves.
• Discard water-damaged air filters.
• Hang drapes on coat hangers so they don’t touch the wet carpet or floor air distribution vents.
About Rainbow International®:
Established in 1980, Rainbow International is a global franchise organization providing residential and commercial restoration and cleaning services. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500,” Rainbow International franchisees offer a broad range of damage restoration services (ranging from water, smoke and fire damage to carpet and upholstery cleaning and deodorization) to more than 330 locations worldwide. The new Rapid Structural Drying Network of Rainbow International has established a network of elite water loss mitigation franchises across the United States. Rainbow International is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For further information or to find the location nearest you, visit www.rainbowinternational.com.
About Aire Serv®:
Established in 1992, Aire Serv is a global franchise organization providing installation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and indoor air quality systems. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500,” Aire Serv franchisees provide these services to both residential and commercial customers at more than 150 locations in the United States and Canada. Aire Serv is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For further information or to find the location nearest you, visit www.aireserv.com.
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