HomeOwner Hints
Throughout this website you will find lots of information that the majority of restoration companies will not disclose to their clients. As your Educational Partner Aladdin's wants you to know this information and fully understand how it affects YOUR restoration job (maybe referred to as a claim or loss), YOUR home, and YOUR bill. Keep your eyes open for this information that will be marked as a HomeOwner Hint. This information will help you insure that the job is being handled correctly. If you have any questions or think that your job may have been handled incorrectly please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to Help YOU!
The HomeOwner Hints below are divided by the topic they relate to, then subdivided into the service hint. Click on a link below to be taken to that topic, then click [ Top ] to return to the top of the menu.
HomeOwner Hints Menu
- Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
- Water Damage Restoration
- Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
- Contents Cleaning
- Air Duct Cleaning
- Extra Hints For Free
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Clean Water Rinse
Would you shampoo your hair and not rinse it clean? Would you wash your car and allow the soap to dry on the paint without rinsing it out? Of course you wouldn't, when ever you wash something you always rinse it with clean fresh water! So why would you shampoo carpet and allow it to dry without rinsing? That is the question we have been asking the competition for years! Make sure that when you hire a professional to clean your carpets you ask if they are going to use a clean or clear water rinse. Believe it or not some companies mix their cleaning chemicals directly into the water tank then apply it to your carpet, extract what they can and allow the rest to dry on the carpet. Not only is this bad for your carpet but the cleaning chemicals have been diluted making them less efficient and saving the company money. At Aladdin's you won't find us playing those kinds of tricks, our cleaning agents are never mixed into the water supply, after the cleaning agents have been applied they are rinsed with clean, fresh, softened water then extracted out of the carpet, leaving it clean and fresh, just like new.
Certifications
Is your carpet cleaner or restoration company certified? Did you know they can be certified? There are many different certifying agencies that will ensure that the company is performing their services properly and efficiently. If you need more information about specific certifications or what to specifically look for when hiring send an email to Info@CallAladdins.com. To read more on this topic click here.
Upholstery Cleaning
Upholstery cleaning is much more difficult than carpet cleaning because of the ever increasing types of materials, finishes, and construction being used to produce the material. Care must be taken to make sure the fabric doesn't shrink and the dyes are preserved from running or fading. Be sure your upholstery cleaning technician is up to date on all certifications and training that is offered. For assistance in finding a qualified upholstery cleaner contact the IICRC. To read more on this topic click here.
Truck-Mounted Equipment
In this industry you may hear about companies having or using a truck-mount. What is a truck-mount and why is it something to know about? A truck-mount is a term used for equipment that is permanently mounted inside of a vehicle and is run directly off the vehicle's engine. The advantage of this setup is simple: more power. Truck-mounted systems begin with more suction power, and if more is needed the engine idle can be increased to supply even more suction. For carpet cleaning, more suction equals less moisture and cleaning agents that are left behind and quicker drying times. Less moisture also leaves no time for mold or mildew to form. Even the best portable units cannot match the results of a truck-mounted system.
Water Damage Restoration
Always remember to play it safe. There can be remaining danger after the water is gone. The foundation in your home may have been weakened, the electrical system may have shorted out, and water may have left behind things that could make you sick. Always seek the guidance of a professional restoration company to advise you on the proper steps to follow during and after the clean up. When in doubt, throw it out. Your professional restorer will be able to properly clean a majority of your personal property but if an item can not be restored it may not be safe to have in your home. Don't risk injury or infection. To read more on this topic click here.
Extraction
If you have had water damage effect a carpeted area, always ask your restoration company if they are planning on pulling out the carpet, padding or both. It is NOT always needed, if any company tells you they are going to "float" your carpet, it's time to call another company. Floating carpet is the worst thing that you can do, it may tear or stretch and it will weaken the laminated backing, allowing your carpet to wear faster than it should. Water damaged carpet should be extracted ONLY with a truck-mounted extraction unit, preferably with a Hydro-X (Also called the Extreme X-Tractor), the highest rated extraction machine currently on the market. Never allow a company to use an ordinary carpet wand to extract the water from your carpet, it will leave to much water behind! To read more on this topic click here.
Drying Area
If a drying chamber is not used, the equipment will be trying to dry the entire structure instead of only the effected area. It is important that if a job calls for a drying chamber, it is used, and used properly. Drying conditions will be altered and drying will be slowed if the drying chamber isn’t properly sealed and air is able to move in or out of the area. If you would like proof that the drying process being used is working, be sure to ask for a copy of the Daily Humidity Log. It is also important to make sure the extraction process is completed efficiently. To read more on this topic click here.
Hardwood Floors
If you have hardwood floors that are involved in a water damage loss be sure to ask your insurance company and your restoration company how they are going to be handled. If you are told that they will need to be replaced, ask "Why don't you simply dry them?" This industry has been raised on a system of ripping out and replacing (dumpster feeding), but those days are over, there is a possibility that is can be dried in place! After most hardwood floors are dried and settle back to pre-loss condition, there is no additional work needed, not even refinishing! To read more on this topic click here.
Certificate of Dryness
This is an industry first by Aladdin's! If you ever sell the property that was damaged this certificate will be useful for the new owners. The certificate of dryness is Aladdin's way of showing our commitment and confidence in our work. If the new owner has any questions about the loss or how it was handled they are always welcome to call us! To read more on this topic click here.
Water Classifications
Do not try to remove black water yourself, it is extremely dangerous! Allowing black water to remain in an area will quickly make the bad situation worse. Stay out of contact with it and call a professional water damage restoration firm immediately! To read more on this topic click here.
Fire & Smoke Restoration
Is your fire or smoke restoration job a water restoration job too? The answer can very well be YES! If your property experienced a fire that was extinguished by a local fire fighting crew, chances are your home is soaking wet. Fire trucks are capable of pumping anywhere from 95 to over 1,000 gallons of water per minute depending on the size of the fire and the equipment being used. Be sure your structure is completely dry before any restoration or reconstruction work begins, if the structure is left wet it can cause numerous types of problems later on. To read more on this topic click here.
Contents Cleaning
Question: What exactly does contents cleaning mean?
Answer: If your property experiences mold, fire, smoke, or water damage items in the effected area may need to be removed and professionally cleaned, this process is referred to as contents cleaning. Having the items professionally cleaned reduces the risk of cross-contamination or recontamination after the area has been cleaned. Contents cleaning steps may include: drying, sanitizing, deodorizing, soot removal, fabric cleaning, and restoring finishes. To read more on this topic click here.
Air Duct Cleaning
When hiring a company to clean your air ducts ask if they are going to use a device such as a "whip" that will stir up particles in the lines. It is important to know this because some companies choose only to vacuum the line. While vacuuming is important, if done by itself it will leave a lot behind. To effectively clean the lines a device such as a whip should be used while the vacuum is attached and running. This will remove more contaminates than vacuuming alone. Always ask to see areas that you are told are the dirtiest. If the cleaning company can tell or see that the area is dirty, make them show you! To read more on this topic click here.
Power Vacuum Truck
Power Vacuum Truck - In this industry you may hear about companies having or using a power vacuum truck. What is a power vacuum truck, what are its advantages and why is it something to know about? A power vacuum truck is a specially built truck with all of its equipment permanently built in and powered by a direct drive link to the vehicle's engine. The advantage of this setup is simple, more power. Power vacuum trucks begin with greater suction power and the engine idle can be increased to supply much more suction. For air duct cleaning, more suction equals less dust and debris left behind. Even the best portable units cannot match the results of a power vacuum truck. To read more on this topic click here.
Extra Hints For Free
Check back for more HomeOwner Hints to be added soon!
