What To Do Before Help Arrives?

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

When your home or business suffers from a storm, it is critical to know the difference between different levels of contaminated water. There are 3 classes of water: clean, gray and black.

Clean water is water from a broken pipe, water from a hot water heater, or sink. The time frame for a clean water damage is gray water.

Here is a list of precautions to take to protect your personal belongings from a clean source water damage until help arrives. Or contact a qualified professional to the following:

• Shut off the water source if possible or contact a qualified professional.
  
  
• Turn off the circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if access to the power distribution panel is safe from potential electric shock.
  
  
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
  
  
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions to allow a more even drying.
  
  
• Move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other valuable items that may be sensitive to moisture to a safe place.
  
  
• Do not leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet as they may cause staining.
  
  
• Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water as there is potential for electrical shock or causing damage to the vacuum cleaner.
  
  
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet; do not enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

When you have water damage, do not leave your property to chance.