Water Damage Dos & Don’ts

If you encounter water damage in your home, we recommend calling the water damage restoration experts at ServiceMaster of Seattle to assess the situation and provide a plan that meets your needs and budget. At ServiceMaster of Seattle, we’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. While you wait for our water damage professionals to arrive, we’ve created this list of do’s and don’ts to keep you and your family safe while minimizing damage.

Dos:

• Stay out of rooms where the ceiling is sagging.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping or blotting saturated areas.
• Wipe furniture to remove moisture.
• Place aluminum foil between furniture legs and wet carpet or remove the furniture from affected area altogether.
• Lift drapes off the flooring and hand them over a curtain rod.
• Remove wet area rugs.
• Move wet furniture cushions or other upholstered items and prop them up so they can dry evenly.
• Call a professional water damage restoration company with a solid reputation. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur.

Don’ts:

• Use your vacuum to remove excess water.
• Use electrical appliances while standing on a wet flooring.
• Turn on recessed ceiling lights if the ceiling appears damp.
• Leave absorbent objects or wet fabrics on the ground or in an area that would make it difficult for them to dry properly.
• Use newspaper to absorb water on the carpet as the ink can easily transfer and stain the carpet.

It’s important to stay safe when dealing with water or flooding damage, especially water that comes from a sewage backup or natural disaster. These types of water sources can contain harmful bacteria that can make you very ill. When it comes to water damage, it is always the best choice to call in the professionals to ensure the job is done right. Improperly dried furniture or flooring can result in mold growth or other structural issues. Our Seattle restoration company can help you with your water damage woes, call today.