Tips & Tricks

After your home experiences water damage, your prompt action can minimize further damage. The safe, timely steps listed below can assist you in your home or businesses’ water damage restoration process, so that it can be returned to its pre-crisis state. Incorrect actions can be costly mistakes. These “do’s and don’ts” are guidelines for your information and guidance.

Do’s

• If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
• Use fans to circulate the air and assist in drying.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe furniture dry.
• Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings.
• Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage to enhance drying.
• Move guns, photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
• Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
• If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner if available.

Don’ts

• Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.
• Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
• Do not lift tacked down carpet without help from a professional carpet cleaning service. Lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage and create damage.
• Do not wait before calling professional help and beginning the water damage restoration process. Water damage, as well as and bacteria and mold growth can begin within hours.