Water Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first.

Please keep these things in mind:

Is it safe to stay in the house, or to go in the rooms with water damage?
Are there electrical hazards or areas where "slip and fall" hazards exist?
Only consider performing work such as moving valuables and items that are clearly safe for you to perform.
Wet materials can be VERY heavy and are often times very awkward. Be careful!
Turn off power to affected rooms via the breaker box. Most breakers are labeled by room.
Keep an eye out for additional damage. Rooms next door or below may be affected also.
When in doubt - KEEP OUT !!

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.

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.