Water loss - DO and DON'T

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

If you have a Category 1 or a "Clean Water" Water Damage at your home or business here are some tips to follow: 

DO:

• Shut off the water source of water if possible, or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet ares 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.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.
• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
• Use wood clothes pins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with carpeting or floors.
• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature. 

DON'T:

• 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 carpet 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 damaging the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fans if ceiling is wet, or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.