John's Tip of the Month

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

You just got home, and all that’s on your mind is everything you need to do to finish your day. As you step into your home you are greeted with a torrent of water rushing out the door.  Unannounced to you the Gremlins snuck in while you were away, just to ruin your day. First call SERVPRO (503) 648-8513, and then call your insurance agent. SERVPRO and your agent will work together to make it “Like it never even happened.” Now that help is on the way there are some things that can be done to help reduce your loss.

These emergency tips will assist you in taking the proper action until our crews arrive. Please follow these Do’s and Don’ts to help reduce damage, possible bodily injury and to increase the chances of successful restoration.

Things to do:

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Place the furniture on wood blocks, plates, plastic or foil to keep from direct contact to the moisture.
• Remove to a safe dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
• Hang draperies with plastic coat hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting, floors, or furniture.
• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Avoid all contact with sewage.

Things not to do:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Leave books, newspaper, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpet, floors or furniture.
• Leave Oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors, especially concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixture of the ceiling is wet.
• Spread contamination by walking areas affected by sewer.
• Tur on the HVAC system on this can spread contaminated air throughout the home.
• Use household fans to dry the structure this also can spread contaminated air throughout the home.
• Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.

Tip of the Month is provided as a courtesy of SERVPRO® by John Lawrence.

Call 971-371-0566 or email at johnl@SERVPROhfyt.com