Employee Spotlight
Hot Shot of the Month

This month we want to highlight our employee Justin Acuna.
Justin is working as an Assistant Technician with our Tucson office and has been in this position for about 2 months. Before coming to ServiceMaster, Justin worked in both the landscaping and fast food industries.
Justin is a true Tucson native -- born and raised here. He is single and enjoys spending time with his family and friends. In his spare time, you can find Justin out biking or inside playing video games.
We are so glad you are a part of our Tucson team, Justin!
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Cleaning Soot
Advice from the Experts
Cleaning soot after a fire disaster is not an easy task. While It seems like it would be a cinch to get rid of the leftover residue, many times, improper cleaning can make an even bigger mess and sometimes destroy belongings. Before you try to tackle this on your own, it's important to know a few facts about soot.
Soot appears dusty but is actually oily and very easy to smear. The best of practice for removing soot usually involves a high power vacuum and NOT touching the surface with it or any attachments. Even the slightest touch can grind the oily soot into the surface, causing staining.
The process of soot cleanup on your walls and ceiling depends on the type of walls and ceiling you have. With most finishes, using liquid will set the stain of soot. Fortunately, you can buy specially designed sponges for soot cleanup. You can also clean soot damage from your walls and ceilings by using paint thinner or rubbing alcohol.
If you are cleaning a wall or ceiling painted with satin or semi-gloss paint, use a mixture of one gallon of water and one tablespoon of a corrosive cleaning agent called trisodium phosphate. This is also good to clean soot from any kitchen surfaces. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and goggles.
After the initial soot cleanup, prevent additional soot from spreading through your house by changing your filters in heating and air-conditioning systems. For the first year after a fire, change your air filters at least once a month.
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