The BIG Do's and Don't When Dealing With Water Damage at Your East Fishkill Home

11/6/2020 (Permalink)

Safety is always first when dealing with a water damage situation. Protect yourself and family members with these tip.

If you find yourself dealing with a water damage emergency at your home, many questions are running through your mind. Of course, the first question is “Where do I start?” But after that and looking at the reality of the situation, it’s common to want to get everything fixed immediately, but safety is key and there are important things to be aware of:

DO:

-Shut off the water if you can or where the supply line is.

-Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the home or building, but ONLY when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electric shock.

-Call a plumbing professional to have the repairs done immediately.

-Call your homeowner’s insurance company and file a claim. Doing so quickly will help get remediation coverage determined fast and therefore, get the work done faster.

-Call us as soon as the water is off and you’re safe, (845)831-3600, no matter what time of day. We’re ready to help 24/7 and faster to any size disaster.

-If you can, remove as much excess water as you can by towels and mopping. If you have a wet/dry vac, getting up the extra water helps the process of restoration as well. Don’t worry if you don’t have one, our experienced water damage restoration technicians will take care of everything quickly.

-If you have any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, paperwork, publications and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture, get them to a safe and dry spot quickly. Leaving books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors can cause staining.

Our highly trained and experienced technicians can take care of drying out all of them items too. Our “restore vs. replace” methods will help keep the costs down as well to both you and your insurance company. Our goal is to restore your home and belongings rather that you having to replace. Keep in mind, not all personal items can be dried out or sometimes have had too much damage to them to be of use for you. Your insurance agent or carrier can help break down the specifics for you, and we’ll work with them directly to help make it seamless.

DON'T:

*DO NOT enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist. *AVOID electrical shock hazards. DO NOT enter affected areas if any electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water.

If this could be an issue, call the fire department for assistance.

-Your household vacuum cleaner is not built to remove water. That could possibly cause electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.

-Anything electrical is going to be a hazard right now. Don’t use TV's or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.

-If the ceiling is wet or if water has entered rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water, it’s dangerous to try your ceiling fan.

Safety is first and foremost when it comes to water damage in your home. Following these DO & DON'Ts can help reduce damage and increase the chances of a successful restoration. These emergency tips will assist you in taking the proper action until the SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County trained professionals arrive. We’re always here to help!