Winter is here; Saturday morning my phone started ringing at 3:30 a.m. with folks needing assistance with frozen and broken pipes. The outside temperature was minus 4 degrees.

In this week's article I want to take just a few minutes and briefly discuss disaster cleanup, primarily floods.

Cleaning up after a flood, or sewer backup is very demanding. Bacteria rates are often very high, specialized equipment and expertise is almost always needed; this is one time where it's smart to call a professional.

When disaster strikes, do what you can to stop further damage to your property, e.g. stop the running water, move your furniture to prevent damage, remove belonging from the affected area, board broken windows, etc.

Call your insurance company immediately. Please keep in mind they will expect you to protect the building and its contents from further damage. The company may ask you what actions you took to prevent further damage.

If the mishap is not covered by insurance, ask the agent to refer you to a professional that specializes in that area. Insurance companies deal with competent professionals daily. When you call them, ask them for a bid that will itemize their list of operations and cost. It is very important to have a mutual understanding of all expectation.

The goal of the restoration process is to transform an abnormally wet, potentially damaged structure into an environment that can be reoccupied, of equal or better appearance and cleanliness than before the intrusion occurred, and to do so in the most economical and effective means possible.

The restorer begins this process by identifying all affected materials (What's wet). Water must be tracked from its initial source and diligently followed in every direction it migrated to establish an accurate perimeter. Once that is identified, the restorer should document the materials affected, e.g. carpet, pad, sub-flooring, etc. Affected materials are evaluated against three criteria - cost, damage and contamination - to determine if they should be restored or replaced.

After this evaluation the restorer decided which materials should be dried and which should be replaced. In addition, the restorer will also decide which materials should be dried aggressively and which should be dried through more disruptive means.

Once the property is dry, the restorer should provide a written report with pictures to the property owner which details the process they went through to get the property dry.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to madan@nwees.com or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church street, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What would Ed do?  For more information about Ed, and his new Handiman Services, check him out at NWEES.COM. Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.