Dealing with the aftermath of any disaster that has affected your home can be a traumatic situation filled with uncertainty and stress. Paul Davis provides the following information and tips that should help provide a smoother recovery process.

Contact Paul Davis for all your property damage needs. (586) 792-6933

    • Obviously, it’s always important to be sure you and your family (and don’t forget pets) are secure and that you contact your relatives and friends to assure them that you are safe.
    • Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as you can.
    • Keep a listing of any and all household personal belongings or goods you have thrown out and receipts for any expenses you incur while protecting your home.
    • Is your house safe? Depending on the amount of damage, you may need to relocate temporarily until the cleanup and repairs are finished. (Notify your insurance company if this is the case.)

Water Damage Tips
You have suffered a water loss. While you are waiting for help to arrive, listed below are some tips to help deal with the damage:

      • Be Safe: A water event can present a lot of potential safety hazards to residents. The potential for slips and falls and electric shock are real. Also, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
      • Water Source: It is important to shut off the water. For most, the main shut-off valve is located either in your garage or utility room, or outside, next to the water meter.
      • Electrical: Turn off all power to affected rooms of the property. Don’t operate the TV or other electrical appliances while you are standing on wet floors or carpets.
      • Air Conditioning: Turn your air conditioner on to assist with drying during the summer or in humid areas of the country.
      • Floors: Dispose of as much standing water as possible, using a mop or towels. (Never use the vacuum cleaner.)
      • Carpeting: Blot wet carpeting with clean, white towels. Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet.
      • Clothing/Fabrics: Transport wet items to dry areas. Don’t allow draperies to remain in contact with wet floors or carpeting.
      • Furniture: Move lighter pieces away from the carpeting. Place plastic wrap or plastic bags beneath the legs of large furniture. Wipe any residual water off of the furniture.

Fire Damage Tips
You have suffered a fire loss. While you are waiting for help to arrive, below are some tips to help deal with the damage:

      • Be Safe: Never reenter affected areas of the house until fire officials have deemed the scene completely safe. Even after the fire is out, there are potential safety hazards to be aware of. The potential for slips and falls from the water that was used to extinguish the fire, and scrapes and cuts from exposed, sharp edges are real. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
      • Going Back Inside: The effects of fire damage can be measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a short period of time, entry by a person can create more damage. Enter ONLY if emergency personnel have cleared the property and deemed it safe to enter and only if absolutely necessary.
      • Appliances/Electronics: Don’t any TV, stereo or electronic appliances until they have been checked by a technician. If the electricity is turned off, empty the contents of your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open with a rolled towel.
      • Carpets: Avoid walking or tracking on carpet when possible. Do not use “DIY” home carpet cleaners.
      • Walls/Ceilings: Don’t attempt to wipe or wash ceilings and other absorbent surfaces.
      • Doors: Shut doors in affected rooms to restrict smoke odors as much as possible.
      • Food Items: Never consume food exposed to smoke or canned items that have been exposed to excessive heat.
      • Furnace: Change the furnace or air conditioner filter if the blower is operating. Tape two pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
      • Pets: Move any and all pets to a safe environment until your property has been fully cleaned and restored.
      • Plants: Rinse plants with water and mild soap, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
      • Windows: Open windows to ventilate the area when possible.

If your home or business is damaged by water, fire, mold, storm or other disaster, Call Paul!