In the disaster recovery industry, an “emergency pack-out” is the term used when damaged items are removed and transported to a secure facility for processing and restoration.
After a flood or fire, your home or business may be damaged and need repair, but what about your personal or business-related items?
How do you start with the process of cleaning and restoring all of them when the clock is ticking and it’s hard to know where to start?
Many people turn to a pack-out company for assistance. A good pack-out service will come to your home, do a walkthrough and document your damaged items, pack and transport them to their facility, clean and restore them, then return them to your home when you’re ready to receive them back.
What To Expect with an Inspection
The first step in a pack-out is the walkthrough inspection. Restoration professionals will conduct the walkthrough on site, generally letting you know right away whether or not an item can be restored. Fortunately, with today’s restoration technology, most items can be brought to pre-loss condition. All contents will be inspected and any pre-existing damage will be documented before being sent out to be restored.
This documentation helps to estimate the losses and facilitates the filing of your insurance claim. If an item does not require packing out, it will be secured and protected while structural repairs are made to the property. However, depending on the damage to the property, even non-damaged items may be packed out to avoid further damage while major structural repairs are being done.
Keep in mind that some affected items may be cleaned in place to prevent acidic residues from causing any further damage. Depending on the condition of the structure around them, they may be moved once they’re cleaned. Smaller items, such as kitchen knives, spoons, pots and pans, dishes, storage containers, may be individually wrapped in paper or bubble wrap, boxed, labeled and then inventoried by the pack-out company.
Larger items such as upholstered and wooden furniture will be carefully inspected, with all damage documented before they’re wrapped and shipped. At the end of the inspection, you should receive a complete inventory and assessment with any pre-existing damage noted.
Transportation and Restoration
It is generally easier, more secure, and cost-efficient to take most movable contents to a secure location for restoration work. When the transportation begins, items will be loaded and secured in a covered box truck using the appropriate packing materials and pads.
The restoration process is constantly monitored and you will be contacted regarding the status of your items before they are ready to be sent back to your home or business. After content cleaning and restoration, items are returned to your home or business using the same inventory procedures and documentation employed in the pack-out process. Your items are loaded, transported, delivered with care, and checked with the original inventory documents.
Choosing the Best Pack-Out Company
Having a team of pack-out professionals handle your precious items is essential to a smooth process from start to finish. Make sure you hire experts who understand how to properly remove, clean store and replace your items in their original condition. 1-800-Packouts is your premier destination for quality and experienced pack-out service.
Ultrasonic Cleaning and Pack-Outs
If you are a contents restoration specialist, consider using ultrasonic cleaners to restore items entrusted to you to their former condition or better. Ultrasonic cleaners work more efficiently and thoroughly over traditional cleaning methods. Visit Omegasonics today to see our wide range of ultrasonic cleaners as well as cleaning solutions.
Want to know more about restoration work with ultrasonic cleaners? Contact our experts at Omegasonics and find out more at 888-989-5560 or email us at
