Helpful Tips

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

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

  • Obviously, it is extremely important to be 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 safe.
  • Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as you possibly can.
  • Keep a listing of any household personal belongings or goods you have discarded and receipts for any expenses you incur in 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, below are some tips to help deal with the damage:

  • Be Safe: A water event can present a lot of potential safety hazards to residents. The potential for slips, falls and electric shock are real. Keep in mind, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only complete tasks that can be done so safely.
  • Water Source: It is 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: Turn off all power to affected areas of the house. Don't operate your TV or other electrical appliances while you are standing on wet carpets or floors.
  • Air Conditioning: Turn on your air conditioner to aid in drying in summertime or in more humid regions.
  • Floors: Get rid of as much standing water as possible, using towels or a mop. (Never use the vacuum cleaner.)
  • Carpeting: Blot wet carpeting with clean, white towels. Remove all colored rugs or Oriental rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet.
  • Clothing/Fabrics: Move wet items to dry places. Do not allow draperies to remain in contact with wet carpeting or floors.
  • Furniture: Move lighter pieces off of the carpeting. Place plastic bags or plastic wrap beneath the legs of bigger furniture. Wipe any excess water off of the furniture.

Fire Damage Tips

You’ve suffered a fire loss. While you are waiting for a member of the Paul Davis team to arrive, below are some suggestions to help deal with the damage:

  • Be Safe: You should never reenter affected areas of the home until fire officials have deemed the home 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 used to put out the fire, as well as cuts and scrapes from exposed, sharp edges are real. Only perform tasks that can be done completely safely.
  • Going Back Inside: The aftermath of fire damage are measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a short 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 stereo, TV or other electrical appliances until they have been inspected by a technician. If the electricity is off, empty your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open with a rolled towel.
  • Carpets: Avoid walking on carpet if at all possible. Do not use “DIY” home carpet cleaners.
  • Walls/Ceilings: Don't wipe or attempt to wash ceilings and other absorbent surfaces.
  • Doors: Shut doors in affected areas to localize smoke odors as much as possible.
  • Food Items: Never eat any food exposed to smoke or any canned goods 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 and all pets to a safe environment until your house has been fully restored and cleaned.
  • Plants: Clean plants with mild soap and water, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
  • Windows: Open windows to ventilate the area when possible.

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