Helpful Tips

Dealing with the aftermath of any disaster that has directly affected your home can often be traumatic and stressful. Paul Davis provides the following tips and information that will help provide a smoother recovery process.

Contact Paul Davis for all your property damage needs. (403)342-4666

  • Obviously, it’s always important to make sure you and your family (and don’t forget pets) are secure and that you contact your relatives and friends to assure them that you are all safe.
  • Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as possible.
  • Keep a listing of any and all household personal belongings or goods that 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 cleanup and repairs are done. (Notify your insurance company if this is the case.)

Water Damage Tips

You’ve suffered a water loss. While you are waiting for help to arrive, listed below are helpful tips to help deal with the damage:

  • Be Safe: A water event can present a lot of possible safety hazards to residents. The potential for slips, falls and electric shock are real. Remember, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
  • Water Source: It is important to turn 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: Be sure to turn off all power to affected rooms of the house. Do not operate the television or other electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring.
  • Air Conditioning: Turn the air conditioner on to speed up drying during the summer or in more humid regions.
  • Floors: Get rid of as much standing water as possible, using towels or a mop. (Do not use a 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: Transport wet items to a dry place. Don't allow draperies to stay in contact with wet floors or carpeting.
  • Furniture: Move lighter pieces off of the carpet. Place plastic bags or plastic wrap under the legs of larger furniture. Wipe any excess water off of the furniture.

Fire Damage Tips

You’ve suffered a fire loss. While you are waiting for us to arrive, below are some suggestions to help handle with the damage:

  • Be Safe: Never reenter affected areas of the home until fire officials have deemed the scene safe. Even after the fire is out, there are potential safety hazards to be aware of. The potential for slips and falls from the water that was used to diffuse the fire, as well as cuts and scrapes from exposed, sharp edges are real. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
  • Going Back Inside: The effects of fire damage are measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a short time, entry by a person can lead to additional damage. Enter ONLY if emergency personnel have cleared the property and deemed it safe to enter and only if absolutely necessary.
  • Electronics/Appliances: Do not use any stereo, TV or other electrical appliances until they have been checked by a professional. If the electricity is off, empty your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open with a rolled towel.
  • Carpets: Avoid being on carpet when possible. Do not use “do-it-yourself” home carpet cleaners.
  • Walls/Ceilings: Don't wipe or attempt to wash ceilings and other absorbent surfaces.
  • Doors: Shut all doors in affected rooms to focus smoke odors as much as possible.
  • Food Items: Do not consume any food exposed to smoke or any canned products that have been subjected to excessive heat.
  • Furnace: Change the air conditioner or furnace filter if the blower is operating. Tape double pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
  • Pets: Move all pets to a safe environment until your house has been 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.

If your home or business is damaged by water, mold, fire, storm or other disaster, Call Paul!