| Follow these helpful tips right away to prevent further damage from occurring: |
| 1. | Call a professional- Don't wait to call for help. Damage from water occurs rapidly and sometimes the difference between restoration and replacement is only a few hours. |
| 2. | Remove as much water as possible by wiping or mopping. |
| 3. | Remove any floor rugs or floor covering that are in the affected area. |
| 4. | Remove any belongings such as art, photos, paperwork or books to a dry location. |
| 5. | Wipe down furniture and objects that are wet. |
| 6. | Remove wet linens and fabrics and dry them unless they require special care. Many items such as furs and leather goods can be restored, but should be assessed and cared for by a restoration or dry cleaning professional. |
| 7. | Use the air conditioning in the warm seasons and the heat in the cool seasons to keep the temperature at a comfortable level that is not extremesome. This will help the drying process. |
| 8. | Use fans to circulate the air unless the fan or fans are wet or are directly affected by the damage. |
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| A few important reminders of things not to do: |
| 1. | Don't use electrical items while on wet floors or that are wet or damp. |
| 2. | Don't go to areas that have standing water if the electricity is on. |
| 3. | Don't use vacuums or extractors that are not designed to remove water. |
| 4. | Don't dispose of items unless you are sure you no longer want them. Many times our professionals can restore items that look beyond repair such as books, art, clothes, furniture, electronics, documents and more. |
| 5. | Don't assume an affected area is dry because it looks or feels dry. Without the aid and use of moisture meters to determine moisture content, future damage could occur not only to contents, but drywall, wood, flooring and many other costly items. Bacterial or microbial growth can start very quickly if the affected areas aren't dried and cleaned properly. |
