Helpful Tips

Dealing with the aftermath of any disaster that has affected your home is most often a traumatic situation filled with stress and uncertainty. Paul Davis offers the following tips and information that should help the recovery process go smoother.

Contact Paul Davis for all your property damage needs. (800) 951-9283

  • Obviously, it is always important to be sure you and your family (and don’t forget pets) are secure and that you contact your relatives and friends to let them know you are safe.
  • Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as you can.
  • Keep a listing of any and all household personal belongings or goods that you have discarded and receipts for any expenses you incur while protecting your property.
  • 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 done. (Notify your insurance company if this is the case.)

Water Damage Tips

You’ve suffered a water loss. While you are waiting for Paul Davis to arrive, below are some tips to help deal with the damage:

  • Be Safe: Water events can present a lot of potential safety hazards to residents. The potential for slips, falls and electric shock are very real. Also, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only perform tasks that can be done so safely.
  • Water Source: It is very 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: Turn off all power to affected rooms of the house. Never operate your TV or other electrical appliances while you are standing on wet flooring.
  • Air Conditioning: Turn on your air conditioner to aid indrying in summertime or in humid areas of the country.
  • Floors: Dispose of as much standing water as possible, using a mop or towels. (Don’t use a vacuum cleaner.)
  • Carpeting: Blot wet carpeting with clean, white towels. Remove all colored rugs or Oriental rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet.
  • Clothing/Fabrics: Transport wet items to dry areas. Do not allow draperies to stay in contact with wet carpeting or floors.
  • Furniture: Move lighter pieces off of the carpet. Place plastic wrap or plastic bags under the legs of bigger furniture. Wipe any extra water off of the furniture.

Fire Damage Tips

You’ve suffered a fire loss. While you are waiting for help to arrive, below are some suggestions to help deal with the situation:

  • Be Safe: Never reenter affected areas of the house until fire officials have deemed the scene completely safe. Even when the fire is out, there are potential safety hazards to be aware of. The potential for slips and falls from water used to extinguish the fire, and cuts and scrapes from exposed, sharp edges are very real. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
  • Going Back Inside: The aftermath of fire damage are measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a short time, entry by a person can cause more damage. Enter ONLY if emergency personnel have cleared the property and deemed it safe to enter and only if absolutely necessary.
  • Electronics/Appliances: Don’t use any TV, stereo or electronic appliances until they have been checked by a technician. If the electricity is off, empty your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open using a rolled towel.
  • Carpets: Avoid walking on carpet if at all possible. Do not use “DIY” home carpet cleaners.
  • Ceilings/Walls: Do not wipe or attempt to wash ceilings and other absorbent surfaces.
  • Doors: Shut doors in affected rooms to localize smoke odors as much as possible.
  • Food Items: Don’t eat food exposed to smoke or canned goods that have been exposed to excessive heat.
  • Furnace: Change the furnace or air conditioner filter if the blower is operating. Tape double pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
  • Pets: Transport any and all pets to a safe environment until your house has been cleaned and restored.
  • Plants: Clean plants with water and mild soap, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
  • Windows: Open windows to ventilate the area when possible.

If your home or business is damaged by water, fire, mold, storm or other disaster, Call Paul!