Need help in the wake of water damage?

Here’s what to do while help arrives.

After any water damage situation, you need to determine if the space is safe until professional help arrives.  Only perform activities that are safe for you to perform. Wet material can be extremely heavy, and attempting to move it could cause you to slip and hurt yourself.

What to Do After a Flooding

While you wait for professional help, here are a few things you can do while staying safe:

1. Get rid of any excess water by mopping and bottling.
2. Remove lamps and tabletop items and wipe the water off tables and wooden surfaces.
3. Move wet upholstery and cushions away from the water.
4. If you have aluminum foil and wood blocks available, place them between furniture legs and wet carpet.
5. If the air conditioning and the wiring is dry, turn it on and dry the space faster.
6. If you have bright or dark-colored rugs, remove them.
7. Relocate any frames, photographs, or art to a safe and dry place.
8. If you know where sharp or loose items are lying on the floor, move them as they could potentially cause harm while walking around.
9. Electrical hazards are the most common and dangerous of predicaments to get stuck in. Do not touch any wet electrical items as they are a hazard in such situations, and could cause an electric shock.
10. Any fur and leather goods need to be moved to a dry place or hung to dry. Do not leave them lying around.
11. Move any books, magazines, clothes, or other colored items from wet carpets or floors to avoid any stains.
12. Under no circumstances should you use your household vacuum to remove excess water. Let the professionals bring in their specialized equipment to take care of it.
13. Turn off electric appliances like the TV, fridge, food processors, etc. You do not want a current passing through the water and causing an electric shock.
14. If you have wooden shelves with décor, glass items, books, or crockery, remove pieces from the shelves before the wooden structure weakens and topples over.
15. If you see sagging ceilings, do not enter the room. If ceiling fixtures are wet, do not turn them on.
16. Be very cautious around gas lines, appliances, and electrical equipment, and if you are unsure whether it is safe or not, await professional help.

Get Professional Help

As soon as you experience water damage, summon professional help. STOP Restoration of Greenville North is available 24/7 to assist you. If you notice any structural damage, do not wait for them inside the house. Instead, exit the building and wait outdoors.

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