What to Do Until Help Arrives -Water Damage

3/30/2018 (Permalink)

What do you do when you find water damage in your home or office?

SERVPRO of West Amarillo has you covered. We have made a list of what to do and not do while you wait for help to arrive.

DO: (Clean Water)

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and table top items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.
• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately room temperature.

DO: (Contaminated Water)

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items

DON'T: (Clean Water)

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets. switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.
• Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors to cause staining.
• Leave oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceilings are sagging from retained water.

DON'T: (Contaminated Water)

• Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas.
• Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contaminates.
• Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.

If your home or business has suffered a loss from water or sewage, call SERVPRO of West Amarillo today at (806)331-4555