Water Damage Do’s and Don’ts

In case of a leak or indoor flood, we recommend that homeowners do the following to minimize loss and prevent further damage:

Things that you can do to minimize damage:

• Stop the water flow if possible. If necessary hire a qualified person to assist you to make repairs.

• Call your insurance.

• Remove small furniture items to minimize furniture stains or rust.

• Place aluminum foil or small wood blocks between furniture legs and wet floor.

• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying.

• Lift drapes off flooring, loop through a coat hanger and hang on curtain rod.

• Remove wet area rugs.

• Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer. And leave the heat on, if it occurs during cool season.

• Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place.

• Open closet doors, furniture drawers, and luggage to aid in drying.

• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.

• Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water.

Things that you should NOT do:

• Do not lift tacked carpet without professional help (lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage).

• Do not enter any room where the ceiling is sagging.

• Do not enter rooms with standing water if you do not know the source or if you do not know the category. There are three varying degrees of water damage, ranging from clean water to black water. Each is progressively worse than the next.

• Do not enter rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.

• Do not use electrical appliances and outlets in wet areas.

• Do not use an ordinary vacuum to remove water. It can cause damage to the vacuum or result in electrical shock to the user.

• Do not attempt to clean up contaminated (sewer) water.

• Do not turn on fans, heating or air conditioning units if water is sewage-related as they may spread the contamination.

• Do not walk on wet surfaces any more than necessary in order to minimize safety hazards and to keep from spreading damage and possible contaminants.

• Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help (lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage).

• Do not place newspaper on wet surfaces since newspaper ink transfers easily.

Do not wait to CALL US to seek professional help. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur.