Water Damage can happen due to storms, broken water pipes, clogged drains, broken appliances, roof leaks, sewer leaks and more. Water damage requires fast action.
Here are some ways to minimize your damage before professional help arrives:
Do's
- Always use rubber gloves to protect your hands & rubber boots to protect your feet and legs.
- Damage from water and bacteria growth can begin within hours. Call for professional help. Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting with sponges.
- Pull up wet rugs and carpets if hardwood floors are below.
- Lift draperies off the floor, loop through a coat hanger and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
- Wipe furniture, prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place aluminum foil under furniture legs.
- Move photos, paintings, art objects, computers, other electronics and valuables to a safe, dry location.
- Do not remove books from shelves. Pack them tightly to prevent page warping until a restoration professional can begin this specialized drying.
- Ventilate wet areas. Turn on air conditioning for faster drying in summer (only if there is no visible mold) and winter, alternate cycles of opened windows and heating. Also, open drawers, closets and cabinet doors to enhance drying.
Don'ts
- Do not enter rooms where there is wet and sagging ceiling!
- Do not enter a room with standing water until electricity has been turned off.
- Do not use a regular household vacuum to remove water.
- Use heat to dry closed building interiors. Mildew and more moisture damage can occur.
- Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or flooring.
- Do not disturb visible mold.
For Wisconsin residents, contact a KnowledgeBroker at R&R Insurance for information on protecting your home from water damage, floods, broke pipes. We do offer sewer backup endorsements and have up to date information for flood zone residents, including the new cost-saving flood insurance from FEMA.
Information taken in part from ServiceMaster Clean website.