Muck - Gut - Tarp Quick Reference
one one-page reference guide and muck-gut-tarp supply list
COMPASSIONATE CARE
o People before property – We are guests in our client’s home.
o Be patient and supportive.
o Do not make promises you will not personally keep.
o The homeowner or resident is in charge. Move at their pace and respect their decisions.
o Ask if there is anything else we can do.
o Respect the client’s privacy!
PREPARE THE SITE
Required PPE
o Heavy-duty shoes or boots, penetration-resistant soles, water-resistant (no open-toed shoes)
o Long-sleeved shirts & pants
o Appropriate outerwear
o Hat
o Cooling handkerchiefs, sweat rags
o Insect repellent
o Sunscreen
o Lunch, snacks, bottled water/drinks, ice, etc.
o Mask and goggles, or safety glasses
o Gloves
o N95 masks
Recommended PPE
o Tetanus shot
o Knee pads
o Earplugs
o Hard hats
Pre-work Checklist
o Introduce the team and your role – set boundaries early
o Confirm tenant or homeowner
o Obtain written permission
o Verify that the resident has taken pictures/documentation for insurance
Safety Checklist
o Survey site for safety hazards and structural damage
o Mitigate or mark hazards
o Confirm that all team members are using PPE correctly
Follow a Work Plan
o Ventilate
o Protect unaffected areas
o Equipment storage area
o Remove standing water
o Client walkthrough
o Remove debris / follow guidelines
o Work from top down, back to front
CLEAR THE HOME
Sorting & Removing Client’s Property
o Coach the resident through key decisions – Identify items as damaged beyond repair, salvageable, and deferred.
o Damaged beyond repair – rusted items, mattresses, pillows, carpets, stuffed animals - discard
o Salvageable – hardwood furniture, clothing, metal, plastic, and glass that can be washed – clean, dry and store
o Decision deferred – valued books, photographs, family keepsakes, electric appliances – clean, dry and store
o Document losses for insurance – photographs, serial numbers, and keep samples
o Remove fixtures and fittings
MUCK AND GUT
How to Remove Carpet
o Cut into small sections with utility knife (wet carpet is HEAVY)
o Remove the tackboard and nails
How to Remove Drywall
o Ceilings before walls
o Remove baseboard
o Remove electrical faceplates
o Turn off the power
o Measure and snap chalk line
o Cut straight at 24-1/2” or 48-1/2” and 12“ above the wet line
o Cut and bag insulation (do not pull)
o “The biggest piece wins.”
o Secure exposed wires
o Remove all screws or nails
CLEAN AND DRY
Clean the Home
o Sweep all debris out of the home
o Clean with 10% chlorine bleach
o Treat with Concrobium™
Drying the Home
o Fans
o Dehumidifiers
o A/C on cold setting
TARP THE ROOF
Safety Rules
o Never work on a wet roof
o Never work on a roof with a pitch greater than 18.4 degrees (4:12)
o Never work on the 2nd story
o Tarp must extend 4’ over the ridgeline and 4’ beyond any damage or cover a mobile home roof
o Secure tarp with firring strips (1”x2”) to roof or soffit
o Secure a mobile home tarp to the soffit or with ropes and stakes to the ground.