| Once you evaluate the situation of water damage | | | | Again, make sure there is no electricity running to |
| to your home, some important steps need to | | | | that area of your building or even to the entire |
| take place to make the restoration process as | | | | building itself. When dealing with flooded properties, |
| painless as possible. We have laid out a process | | | | the possibility of electrocution is great. |
| for you to follow in just such an emergency. | | | | Do not be so quick to remove all the water in |
| Water damaged homes or buildings should begin | | | | your basement. The walls of the basement could |
| by removing any water damaged items from the | | | | collapse due to the ground outside that is still |
| home like furniture, paintings, photographs, and | | | | saturated with water and the water still standing |
| etcetera and allowing them to dry out outside the | | | | in your basement could be the only thing stopping |
| home. | | | | this. |
| Squeeze as much water as possible out of couch | | | | After the water around the house has drained |
| cushions and try to leave them outside in the sun | | | | away, pump out two or three feet, mark the |
| for as little time as possible, because sun damage | | | | water level, and wait until the next day. If the |
| can also occur if they are left exposed for too | | | | water level in the basement rises, do not continue |
| long. | | | | pumping out the water. |
| If the floors of your home are covered in mud or | | | | In most cases, washing wet mud away from |
| silt, washing them with clean water is usually the | | | | objects with clean water before drying them is a |
| only solution. Do not rush the drying of the floors | | | | good idea. Unless it is an antique item of special |
| or what is called warping or buckling. | | | | significance, this is generally the way to go. |
| If you can, remove any insulation from under the | | | | If it does fall into the category of antique or |
| floor to allow air to circulate. Rapid drying of | | | | historic, consult a specialist as quickly as possible. |
| hardwood floors by using heating, air conditioning, | | | | Air circulation through the building is essential to |
| or other forced air to help dry the floors can | | | | drying it out entirely. Heaters should not be used |
| cause cupping. Completely drying them naturally | | | | and air conditioners should be used sparingly, if at |
| can take weeks or months. | | | | all. |
| Any electrical components in the house, like AC | | | | Forcing the building to dry unnaturally can possibly |
| outlets, should be replaced if the water level was | | | | cause even more damage. |
| high enough to damage them. | | | | |