Helpful Tips

The aftermath of a disaster that has affected your home is most often stressful and traumatic. Paul Davis offers the following tips and information that can help provide a smoother recovery process.

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

  • Obviously, it’s always important to be sure you and your family (and don’t forget pets) are safe and that you contact your relatives and friends to inform them that you are all safe.
  • Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as you possibly can.
  • Keep a listing of any household goods or personal belongings that you have discarded and receipts for any expenses you incur while protecting your home.
  • Is your house safe? Depending on the amount of damage, you may need to relocate temporarily until the cleanup and repairs 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 Paul Davis to arrive, listed below are some tips to help deal with the damage:

  • Be Safe: Water events can present a lot of possible 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 handle tasks that can be done so safely.
  • Water Source: It is very 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 your water meter.
  • Electrical: Be sure to turn off all power to affected rooms of the house. Don't operate your television or other electrical appliances while you are standing on wet carpets or floors.
  • Air Conditioning: Turn your air conditioner on to speed up drying in the summer or in regions with more humidity.
  • Floors: Dispose of as much standing water as possible, using towels or a mop. (Don't use the vacuum cleaner.)
  • Carpeting: Blot soaked carpeting with clean, white towels. Remove all colored rugs or Oriental rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet.
  • Clothing/Fabrics: Relocate wet items to dry areas. Don't let draperies to remain in contact with wet carpeting or floors.
  • Furniture: Move lighter pieces away from the carpeting. Place plastic bags or plastic wrap beneath the legs of large furniture. Wipe any residual water off of the furniture.

Fire Damage Tips

You have suffered a fire loss. While you are waiting for us to arrive, below are some suggestions to help deal with the situation:

  • Be Safe: You should never reenter affected areas of the home until fire officials have deemed the scene 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 that was used to put out the fire, and cuts and scrapes from exposed, sharp edges are very real. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
  • Going Back Inside: The effects of fire damage can be measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a short period of time, entry by a person can lead to more damage. Enter ONLY if emergency personnel have cleared the property and deemed it safe to enter and only if absolutely necessary.
  • Appliances/Electronics: Don't use any TV, stereo or other electrical appliances until they have been checked by a technician. If the electricity is turned off, empty the contents of your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open using a rolled towel.
  • Carpets: Avoid walking on carpet when possible. Do not use “DIY” home carpet cleaners.
  • Ceilings/Walls: Do not wipe or attempt to wash ceilings and other absorbent surfaces.
  • Doors: Shut all doors in affected rooms to contain smoke odors as much as possible.
  • Food Items: Don't eat food items exposed to smoke or any canned items that have been exposed to excessive heat.
  • Furnace: Change the furnace or air conditioner filter if the blower is operating. Tape two pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
  • Pets: Transport any pets to a clean environment until your house has been cleaned and restored.
  • Plants: Rinse plants with water and mild soap, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
  • Windows: Open windows to ventilate the area when possible.

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