Water Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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The safety of everyone near water damage is always the priority. We recommend the following while our Amarillo water damage technicians travel to your property. 

  • Shut off the water source if possible, or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
  • Avoid all areas with standing water, exposed cords, or submerged outlets--these are areas of hazard.
  • 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 or blotting. 
  • Wipe excess water from wood furniture after safely removing lamps and tabletop items.
  • Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
  • Place aluminum foil, wood blocks, or another barrier between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  • Move any art objects, electronics, documents, and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture to a safe, dry place.
  • Mind your step as you walk from wet carpet to dry flooring. Slipping and falling are common in this scenario. 
  • Use wooden clothespins or safety pins 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 at room temperature.
  • Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage.
  • Do your best not to track any contaminated water/sewage to any unaffected areas.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after contact with contaminated items.

24-Hour Emergency Water Mitigation

Have A  Water Damage Emergency? Call (806) 331-4555

What To Do After Flooding

  • Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
  • Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
  • Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  • Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
  • Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
  • Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
  • Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT To Do After Flooding

  • Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
  • Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
  • Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
  • Don't use television or other household appliances.
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.