Conducting Your Own Water Damage Restoration

In order to mitigate the damage caused by either a fire or water disaster there are a few steps you can take. These can all be done while waiting for your fire and water damage restoration experts to arrive.

Water damage - some small restoration tasks to carry out:

• Circulate the air by turning on fans so that things dry quickly.
• If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.
• Mopping and blotting will remove water.
• Wipe furniture and surfaces dry.
• Draperies and curtains that are hanging to the floor should be lifted off the ground and hung up over the drapery rod.
• Get furniture legs off the floor by placing them on blocks of wood. Wet furniture cushions should be propped up to dry.
• Rugs or other floor coverings should be removed from wet areas.
• Drawers and doors should be opened to enhance drying.
• Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location.
• Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
  

Important warnings when dealing with water damage

• Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or wet floors.
• Do not go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
• Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help. Lifting the carpet incorrectly could promote shrinkage.
• Do not wait to call for fire and water damage restoration professional help. Damage from the water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.
  

Remember, these pieces of advice, warnings and tips are all steps you can take yourself while waiting for fire and water damage restoration experts to get to your place. Often times, your insurance company will pay for the restoration work to be carried out, but this should be confirmed before work begins.

There is quite a lot of stress surrounding any kind of disaster, particularly when you home and loved ones are involved, Fire Water Damage Restoration attempts to explain some of the options that are open to you to make things a little easier.