What To Do Until Help Arrives

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

Many of us do not know the first steps to take in the event of water damage in our homes. SERVPRO® has over 50 years of leadership and training in cleanup and restoration services. SERVPRO® has put together a  “Do” and “Do Not” list to help in the event of water damage in your home.

Water Damage from Clean Water

DO:

• Shut off the source of the water as quickly as possible.
• Turn off any circuit breakers for wet areas of the building when access to the breaker box is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping & blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.
• Remove any documents, computers and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.

DO NOT:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards are at risk.
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches or circuit breakers are exposed to water/
• 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 excess water. This could cause electrical shock or damage the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceilings are wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.