Helpful Tips
Having to deal with the aftermath of any disaster that has affected your property is most often traumatic and stressful. Paul Davis provides the following tips and information that can help the recovery process go smoother.
Contact Paul Davis for all your property damage needs. (661) 310-0884
- Obviously, it’s extremely important to be sure you and your family (and don’t forget pets) are safe and that you contact your friends and relatives to let them know you are safe.
- Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as it is possible.
- Keep a listing of all household goods or personal belongings you have thrown out and receipts for any expenses you incur in protecting your home.
- Are you sure your house is safe? Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to relocate temporarily until the cleanup and repairs are complete. (Notify your insurance company if this is the case.)
Water Damage Tips
You have suffered a water loss. While you are waiting for help to arrive, listed below are some tips to help deal with the damage:
- Be Safe: Water events can present a lot of possible safety hazards to occupants. The potential for electric shock and slips and falls are real. Remember, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
- Water Source: It is important to turn off the water. For most, the main shut-off valve is located either in your garage or utility room, or outside, next to your water meter.
- Electrical: Be sure to turn off the power to affected rooms of the home. Never operate your television or other electrical appliances while you are standing on wet flooring.
- Air Conditioning: Turn on your air conditioner to aid indrying in the summer or in more humid regions.
- Floors: Remove as much standing water as possible, using towels or a mop. (Do not use the vacuum cleaner.)
- Carpeting: Blot soaked carpeting with clean, white towels. Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet.
- Clothing/Fabrics: Transfer wet items to dry places. Do not allow draperies to remain in contact with wet floors or carpeting.
- Furniture: Move lighter pieces away from the carpeting. Place plastic bags or plastic wrap beneath the legs of bigger furniture. Wipe any residual water off of the furniture.
Fire Damage Tips
You have suffered a fire loss. While you are waiting for a member of the Paul Davis team to arrive, below are some suggestions to help handle with the situation:
- Be Safe: You should never reenter affected areas of the home until fire officials have deemed the property safe. Even when the fire is out, there are potential safety hazards to be aware of. The potential for slips and falls from the water used to diffuse the fire, and cuts and scrapes from exposed, sharp edges are real. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
- Going Back Inside: The effects of fire damage are measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a small amount of time, entry by a person can lead to extra damage. Enter ONLY if emergency personnel have cleared the property and deemed it safe to enter and only if absolutely necessary.
- Appliances/Electronics: Do not use any stereo, TV or other electrical appliances until they have been inspected by a professional. If the electricity is off, empty your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open using a rolled towel.
- Carpets: Avoid walking or tracking on carpet if at all possible. Do not use “do-it-yourself” home carpet cleaners.
- Walls/Ceilings: Do not wipe or attempt to wash ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
- Doors: Shut doors in affected rooms to localize smoke odors as much as possible.
- Food Items: Do not consume food items exposed to smoke or any canned products that have been exposed to excessive heat.
- Furnace: Change the air conditioner or furnace filter if the blower is operating. Tape two pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
- Pets: Relocate any and all pets to a clean environment until your home has been cleaned and restored.
- Plants: Clean plants with mild soap and water, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
- Windows: If possible, open windows to ventilate.
If your business or home has been damaged by fire, water, mold, storm or other disaster, Call Paul!