Homeowners Do’s & Don’t for Water Damage

Do:

• Stop the water flow if possible.
• If safe to do so, turn off circuit breakers supplying electricity to wet areas and remove any small electrical devices from those areas.
• To minimize damage, avoid walking on wet carpet any more than necessary.
• Wipe furniture dry.
• Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings to non-affected area.
• Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage 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.
• If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner if possible (provided water has not entered the ducts).
• Call HammondKnoll to finish it up!

Don’t:

• Do not use an ordinary household vacuum or shop vac to remove water (you could incur an electrical shock).
• Do not go near contaminated (sewer) water.
• Do not turn on fans, heating or air conditioning units if water is sewage-related as they may spread the contamination.
• Do not use electrical appliances and outlets while in wet areas.
• Do not enter 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 turn on your heating and/or air conditioning system if water has traveled in or through the ducts.
• Do not let children or the elderly enter the affected areas.
• Do not wait to call for professional help. Damage from the water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.

HammondKnoll Water restoration & clean up is available 24 / 7 to handle your water emergency.
Call 253-472-9686 or 1-800-499-9686 day or night.