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What to do if your Home or Business has been Flooded

Helpful tips for homeowners and small business owners

  • Only enter the premises if safe.
  • Wear protective clothing, mask & gloves.
  • Remove excess water by mopping & blotting.
  • Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing tabletop items.
  • Remove and prop wet upholstery & cushions for even drying.
  • Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
  • Remove valuable paintings and pictures from wet walls.
  • Transfer all art objects to safe place.
  • Remove Oriental rugs or other coloured rugs from wet  wall-to-wall carpet. Place a fan so air flows over carpet, speeding the drying process.
  • Move wet items to a dry place. Open and empty drawers and  cabinets for complete drying.
  • Move lighter furniture off carpeting.
  • Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
  • Open suitcases and luggage to dry. Place in sunlight if possible.
  • Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water.
  • Place plastic (not metal) bucket under leak.
  • Disconnect all power to affected areas.
  • If possible, stop source of water. Turn off outside water main, or call plumber or other qualified tradesman, if necessary.
  • Contact fire department if unable to locate or turn off water main.
  • Empty the refrigerator/freezer completely if electricity is off.
  • If possible, open windows to help ventilate.

Avoid doing the following

  • Do not leave books, magazines or other coloured items on wet carpet or floor.
  • Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.
  • Do not operate any electrical appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors, especially on wet concrete floors.
  • Do not use your household vacuum to extract water.
  • Do not utilize any TV, stereo or electronic appliance until it has been cleaned and checked.
  • Do not use “do it yourself” home carpet cleaners.
  • Do not wipe or attempt to wash ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
  • If possible, avoid using upholstered furniture.
  • Do not attempt to operate damaged appliances.
  • Do not attempt to remove paint, ink or cosmetic stains.
  • Do not attempt to remove large pieces of glass from window panes or picture frames. Carefully vacuum smaller glass particles from carpets and upholstery.
Tipsheet compliments of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada.

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