Water Damage - Emergency Tips For Your Home

What would you do if you came home from work this evening to find a foot of water inside your home? Would you panic? Would you know who to call for help? Would you have your emergency numbers immediately available or would you have to wade through the water to search for your list? Flooding and water damage is almost always accidental and unexpected. Planning emergencies like this and knowing what immediate steps should be taken can greatly reduce the amount of damage your home will sustain!

The following list of tips will help in any water damage situation:


WATER DAMAGE FROM CLEAN WATER

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building (only if access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock)
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting
• Move paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other materials that are valuable to a safe, dry place
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors
• Hang furs and leather goods to dry seperately at room temperature
• DON'T enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards exist
• DON'T enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. *** ALWAYS AVOID ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARDS ***
• DON'T leave books, newspapers, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors. They may cause staining.
• DON'T use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water!
• DON'T use TV's or other appliances while standing on wet carpets, flooring, or concrete
• DON'T turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet
• DON'T enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water

WATER DAMAGE FROM CONTAMINATED WATER

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items
• DON'T spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas
• DON'T turn on HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air
• DON'T use household fans to dry the structure. This will spread contaminants
• DON'T use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas

IF YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH HARMFUL WASTES (sewage, bloodborne pathogens, etc):

• Stay away from affected areas
• Call an emergency service professional ASAP
• Treat all body fluids as if they are contaminated
• DON'T attempt cleanup of any kind
• DON'T touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids

*** Servpro of Point Loma is a Ready San Diego Business Alliance Member. Feel free to contact us anytime for safety tips! ***