DO's and DONT's of water damage in your home

4/17/2018 (Permalink)

If you ever have a water leak and as you stand there thinking of what to do, the water is at your ankles now and you are more worried and confused than ever. Here are some helpful tips to get through until SERVPRO arrives to help.

DO

• Shut off the water main, if you are unsure of how to do this call a certified person to come and help.
• Turn of all electricity to the affected areas
• Remove as much standing water as possible
• Remove and dry as much standing water on wood furniture. Remove any paper items that may have been affected.
• Remove any slip on covers for furniture to ensure a proper drying process.
• Put blocks or aluminum paper underneath furniture that was moved to dry out an area. 
• Moving all paintings, computers, documents and any other valuable items to a dry unaffected area of the property.
• Use clothes pins to pick up and loose or handing curtains or drapery.
• Move and hang anything made of fur, or skins to a dry unaffected area for proper drying.

DON'T

• Do not return to areas where there is an immediate threat of danger such as, areas that still have electricity and are underwater, or areas where black waters have risen
• Do not return to areas where electronics have come in contact with water. 
• Do not leave books, newspapers, or other articles with colored print near clothes, carpets, or other textiles.
• Do not leave rugs over installed carpets as this can cause staining from the rug to the carpet.
• DO NOT use your vacuum to extract any water from your property.
• Do not turn on electronics that have come in contact with water
• Do not turn on floor lights that have been affected by standing water.