Water Damage Tips

From malfunctioning washing machines to broken roofs, water damage varies in origin and intensity. If left unchecked, water damage can deteriorate the foundation of your home. Porous surfaces like floors and walls are particularly vulnerable to harboring mold and mildew when flood damage is neglected. The Paul Davis specialists are the experts to reach when your home or business takes on water damage.

Getting Ready for the Experts

It can be hard not to try and remedy the flooding yourself. That said, we recommend leaving the heavy lifting up to the experts. However, there are some things you can do before the restoration professionals arrive. To save everything in your home from water damage, it's necessary to act quickly. Before starting, be sure your home is safe to enter. Power down all electronics and breakers around your home to avoid electrocution. It may sound overly careful, but flooded appliances can be harmful when exposed to water.

First Things First

Water can leak into everything. Move all your smaller items to deter more water damage. Level, dry areas are ideal for drying books, magazines and other paper materials. Don't forget light fixtures and other shelf pieces either. Once you've moved handheld items, books and any other dampened materials, the cleaning can begin. Fans and air conditioning move air around your home and start drying the area. Wipe and mop damp areas like countertops to make sure smaller pools of sitting water have been removed. Though you may want to try, do not use a standard home vacuum to clean water. Standard vacuums aren't equipped to clean up pools of water. When you're ready to move furniture, raise up furniture like heavy chairs and sofas using wooden and cement blocks to above them above the wet areas. Water adds weight to surfaces, carpets, and fabrics. All that additional weight makes fur, rugs and leather goods difficult to dry. So if you must move a carpet, lift with caution. Hang clothing, draperies and other fabrics away from the soaked area to dry properly. Pieces like these may not be easily saved. The same water weight that damages rugs and carpets can hurt your home's foundation. Because of this, do not go near sagging ceilings or bent floors. Areas like these have likely taken on the most water and could collapse under weight.

Paul Davis Restoration

Paul Davis contractors are experienced with flooding. But with a some assistance from homeowners, the water damage can be removed more quickly. We will return your property back to normal efficiently and quickly. Our pros are experienced and have worked with severe, moderate and small amounts of water damage in a range of home and commercial properties. Additionally, Paul Davis helps you with your insurance company to settle your claims quickly, so you can get life back to normal.