Helpful Tips

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

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

  • Of course, it’s extremely important to make sure you and your family (and don’t forget pets) are safe 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 you can.
  • Keep a listing of all household goods or personal belongings 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 repairs and cleanup 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 occupants. The potential for slips, falls and electric shock are real. Also, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only complete tasks that can be done so 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 the power to affected rooms of the property. Never operate the TV or other electrical appliances while you are standing on wet flooring.
  • Air Conditioning: Turn the air conditioner on to assist with drying in summertime or in humid areas of the country.
  • Floors: Remove 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: Relocate wet items to dry places. Don't allow draperies to stay in contact with wet floors or carpeting.
  • Furniture: Move lighter pieces off of the carpeting. Place plastic wrap or plastic bags 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 tips to help handle with the damage:

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

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