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.
