Water Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety. While it's tempting to salvage personal belongings, it also increases your risk. Following, we offer some important tips to make sure that you both stay safe and salvage personal property. First, here are important questions to ask yourself:

  • Is it safe to stay in the house? Water damage can be minor like a toilet leak–or major like a significant storm or even hurricane. Regardless, water is one of the most destructive disasters and there are times where the house may need to be vacated.
  • Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns. Water and electricity don’t mix and the electrical systems within a house are not typically designed with water intrusion in mind. And don’t forget that standing water represents a common reason for a slip and falls that can land you in the hospital.
  • Only do activities that are safe for you to perform. After a disaster, we may feel superhuman due to the adrenaline in our veins. But we must understand that we still have limitations and it is very easy to overexert and injure ourselves.
  • Wet materials can be VERY heavy. What once was a box of dry papers may now be several times heavier due to the absorption of water. Always be sure that the item you’re picking up is not too heavy as you can easily pull a muscle or worse

Have A  Water Damage Emergency? Call (516) 809-9600

What To Do After Flooding

  • 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.

What NOT To Do After Flooding

  • 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.