Helpful Tips
Dealing with the aftermath of any disaster that has affected your home can be a traumatic situation filled with uncertainty and stress. Paul Davis shares the following tips and information that should help provide a smoother recovery process.
Contact Paul Davis for all your property damage needs. 3641 S 6th St, Lincoln, NE 68502 | (402) 875-6075
- Obviously, it is always important to make sure you and your family (and don’t forget your pets) are secure and that you contact your relatives and friends to inform them that you are safe.
- Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Keep a listing of any and all household personal belongings or goods you have discarded and receipts for any expenses you incur while protecting your property.
- Is your house safe? Depending on the amount of damage, you may need to relocate temporarily until the repairs and cleanup are completed. (Notify your insurance company if this is the case.)
Water Damage Tips
You have suffered a water loss. While you are waiting for us to arrive, below are helpful tips to help deal with the damage:
- Be Safe: Water events can present several potential safety hazards to occupants. The potential for slips, falls and electric shock are very real. Remember, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
- Water Source: It is important to shut off the water. For most, the main shut-off valve is located either in your garage or utility room, or outside, next to the water meter.
- Electrical: Turn off all power to affected rooms of the property. Don’t operate the TV or other electrical appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors.
- Air Conditioning: Turn your air conditioner on to assist with drying in summertime or in humid areas of the country.
- Floors: Get rid of as much standing water as possible, using towels or a mop. (Don’t use the vacuum cleaner.)
- Carpeting: Blot soaked carpet with clean, white towels. Remove all colored rugs or Oriental rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet.
- Clothing/Fabrics: Relocate wet items to a dry place. Don’t let draperies to remain in contact with wet floors or carpeting.
- Furniture: Move lighter pieces off of the carpet. Place plastic bags or plastic wrap beneath the legs of large furniture. Wipe any extra water off of the furniture.
Fire Damage Tips
You have suffered a fire loss. While you are waiting for help to arrive, below are some tips to help handle with the situation:
- Be Safe: Never reenter affected areas of the home until fire officials have deemed the home 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 scrapes and cuts from exposed, sharp edges are very real. Only perform tasks that can be completed safely.
- Going Back Inside: The effects of fire damage can be measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a short time, entry by a person can create additional damage. Enter ONLY if emergency personnel have cleared the property and deemed it safe to enter and only if absolutely necessary.
- Appliances/Electronics: Never use any stereo, TV or other electrical appliances until they have been checked by a technician. If the electricity is off, empty the contents of your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open with a rolled towel.
- Carpets: Avoid walking on carpet if possible. Do not use “DIY” home carpet cleaners.
- Ceilings/Walls: Do not wipe or attempt to wash ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
- Doors: Close doors in affected rooms to contain smoke odors as much as possible.
- Food Items: Don’t consume food items exposed to smoke or any canned items that have been subjected 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: Transfer any and all pets to a safe environment until your property has been fully cleaned and restored.
- Plants: Wash plants with mild soap and water, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
- Windows: Open windows to ventilate the area when possible.
