What To Do When You Have Interior Flooding

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

If you find yourself in an indoor flooding situation, we are for you 24/7. Before we arrive to help you, here are some ways you can minimize potential water damage:

DO:

• 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, when 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
• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
• 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 separately at room temperature

DON’T:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards
• Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors to cause staining
• Leave Oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water