Water Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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After your home or business suffers water damage, make safety your primary focus:

Only enter your property after the local authorities say it’s safe to do so. Look for and avoid any electrical and "slip and fall" hazards. Be sure all repairs and other activities you do on your water damaged property are safe. Use caution when moving wet materials. Absorbing water can make materials dangerously heavy.

Read the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield recommendations below. For more details, many of our blog posts provide specifics. Two that Eastern Connecticut residents and business owners may find particularly helpful are Water Damage Restoration and Flood & Sewage Dangers Most People Don’t Know About.

Have A  Water Damage Emergency? Call (860) 461-7194

What To Do After Flooding

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT To Do After Flooding

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.