Emergency Damage Control Tips

We understand that any emergency can be stressful and emotional. The following tips are provided to help you stay safe and keep the damage under control.

Water Damage – Do:

• Call for professional help. Water damage can cause bacteria and mold growth within hours.
• Try to remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Remove any wet area rugs or mats that are not attached to your floor. Do not try to remove wall-to-wall carpeting.
• Lift draperies off the floor and loop them through a coat hanger. Hang the hanger on the curtain rod.
• Wipe furniture down, prop up any wet cushions so they will dry, and place aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Move any photos, paintings or other valuables to a safe spot away from the water.
• Do not remove books from shelves. Pack them in tightly, and wait for a professional to dry them to prevent warping. 
• Open drawers, closets and cabinet doors to enhance drying.

Water Damage – Don’t:

• Don’t enter a room with standing water until you are sure the electricity has been turned off.
• Don’t use a regular household vacuum to try to remove water.
• Don’t lift tacked-down carpet without professional help.
• Don’t use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or flooring.
• Don’t disturb visible mold.

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Fire Damage – Do:

• Call for professional help. Corrosive byproducts can cause irreversible etching in as few as 72 hours.  
• If the temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
• Clean Formica, chrome, porcelain and aluminum fixtures to prevent permanent tarnishing or etching.
• Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced air.
• Tape damp cheesecloth over returns and supply registers to capture loose soot in the air.
• Discard any open food packages.
• If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave the doors propped open.
• Send clothing that has heavy smoke damage to a qualified restoration dry cleaner.

Fire Damage – Don’t:

• Don’t touch anything with your bare hands. Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork and cause additional damage.
• Don’t wash the walls. Incorrect cleaning could compound the soot residue.
• Don’t attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
• Don’t use electrical appliances until they are checked.
• Don’t use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.

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Vandalism – Do:

• Fast action is required to prevent further damage. Call a restoration professional to remove damage caused by vandals. 
• Make a list of all damage.
• Use a shop vacuum to remove glass particles from carpet and upholstery. 
• Remove any debris from carpet or interior walls. Scrape or blot carpets and furniture, do not rub.
• Wash any egg or other residues from the building exterior using water.

Vandalism – Don’t:

• Do not use household cleaning products on fabrics, upholstery or carpets.
• Do not attempt to remove chemical stains, including ink or paint.
• Do not operate damaged electrical appliances.