Recently, TCI Insurance had the pleasure of participating in an informal Tips & Sips visit from Rainbow International, a local restoration and cleaning specialist. The tips provided were specific on how to reduce water damage should it occur in your home, and minimizing, or in some cases eliminating, the need for an insurance claim.
Tip #1: Stay calm. Stay safe.
Tip #2: Call a professional restoration company immediately. It could mean the difference between restoring your home quickly versus needing expensive reconstruction.
Tip #3: Make sure the water source is turned off. This will help contain the damage.
Tip #4: Turn off the breaker in the damaged area before you unplug or remove any electrical devices located on the wet carpet.
Tip #5: Place aluminum foil under the legs of any furniture in contact with wet carpet. This may help prevent furniture stains on your carpet.
Tip #6: Lift draperies away from wet carpet and pin up any upholstered furniture skirts which may get wet.
Tip #7: Remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants, and other items which may stain wet carpet.
Tip #8: DO NOT use your home vacuum, since electrical shock may result, as well as certain damage to the equipment itself. Try soaking up pooled water with a mop or towels.
Tip #9: DO NOT place newspaper in traffic areas to walk on, since newspaper ink transfers easily to the wet carpet fibers and may result in permanent staining.
Tip #10: DO NOT walk on carpet any more than necessary. This will keep the damage from spreading to unaffected areas.
Look for more tips on water damage, specifically the most common causes, and how to avoid them in the coming weeks.
Source: Rainbow International
