Preventing a Worse Water Damage

9/4/2020 (Permalink)

Water from above caused the ceiling damage to this White Bear Lake home.

Removing surface water can help prevent more extensive damage. However, water intrusions invade floors, ceilings and walls to find the lowest point in your home. Standing water from an overflowing bathtub or other water incident will search for pin hole crevices and cracks in your floors and walls looking for a way to travel downward. Surfaces such as wood, drywall and carpet pull water away from plain sight and into the interiors of your home. Below is what you can do as you wait for the professionals from SERVPRO to arrive:

• Shut off the water source if possible or
  contact a qualified party to stop the
  water source.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the
  building, if access to power distribution
  panel is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping or blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture
  after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery
  cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks
  between furniture and wet carpeting.
• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings,
  art objects, computers, documents and
  other materials that are valuable or sensitive
  to moisture.
• Do not enter affected areas if electrical
  outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical hazards.
• Don’t use a household vacuum to remove
  water. This could cause electrical shock or
  damage to the vacuum.