Dear SERVPRO - Water Damage

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Dear SERVPRO of Catonsville,

Recently, our home suffered extensive water damage due to a burst pipe.  Is there anything we could have done to prevent so much damage?

- Baltimore County Homeowner

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Dear Homeowner,

Water damage in your home is almost always an unexpected and stressful situation. In the moment, you’ll likely feel panic and devastation, wondering what steps to take and who to call for help.

Check out our list of Emergency Tips that you can use to take control of a water damage situation while you wait for help to arrive.

DO:

• Shut off the 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 of the 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 aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.

• Remove to a safe dry place any paintings, art objects, computer, documents, and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.

• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.

• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.

• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.

DON’T:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazard may exist.

• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.

• Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors to cause staining.

• 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 carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.

• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retaining water.

Have more questions about Water Damage? We’re here to help. Call us at 410-242-7370.