What to do before help arrives with a clean water loss

2/22/2016 (Permalink)

Do:

• Shut off the source of water if possible
• Turn off the circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe to access
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and 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 legs and wet carpet

Don't:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazard may exist
• Leave books, newspaper, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors to cause staining
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors