What to do after a water damage emergency
- Analyze the area that has been impacted by water damage for safety
- Turn off electrical breakers to rooms impacted by water damage
- Contact your insurance company to notify them of the water damage emergency
- Remove as much water as possible by mopping or soaking with towels
- Place wood blocks under furniture to prop up out of the water
- Remove any loose items or colored rugs on the floor
- Move any valuable items out of the room that you can move
- Turn on air conditioning unit in the summer for maximum drying.
- Contact a local water restoration company like Integrity Building and Restoration Services to begin the drying and restoration process
What not to do after a water damage emergency
- Do not enter the water damaged area if there are sagging ceilings, electrical hazards or other safety concerns
- Do not use a household vacuum to extract the water
- Do not leave colored rugs, books or other household items on wet carpet.
- Do not open the windows, the outside humidity may delay or prolong the drying process
- Do not attempt to dry out the area yourself without consulting a water damage professional, this could pose a long-term health and safety risk if the impacted area(s) are not dried completely using specialized equipment and treatments
- Do not delay contacting your insurance company, most insurance companies require policy holders to notify them within twenty-four hours of a water damage emergency.
- Do not hire a company that is not trained and certified to handle water damage emergencies
By Aaron Knight, President, Integrity Building & Restoration Services