Helpful Tips

The aftermath of a disaster that has directly affected your residence can be stressful and traumatic. Paul Davis provides the following tips and information that can help provide a smoother recovery process.

Contact Paul Davis for all your property damage needs. (207) 827-4205

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

Water Damage Tips

You’ve suffered a water loss. While you are waiting for help to arrive, below are helpful tips to help deal with the damage:

  • Be Safe: A water event can present several potential safety hazards to occupants. The potential for slips, falls and electric shock are very real. Keep in mind, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only complete tasks that can be done safely.
  • Water Source: It is very important to turn 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: Be sure to turn off all power to affected areas of the property. Do not operate the television or other electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring.
  • Air Conditioning: Turn on your air conditioner to assist drying in summertime or in more humid regions.
  • Floors: Get rid of as much standing water as possible, using a mop or towels. (Don’t use the vacuum cleaner.)
  • Carpeting: Blot soaked carpeting with clean, white towels. Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet.
  • Clothing/Fabrics: Relocate wet items to a dry area. Do not let draperies to stay in contact with wet carpeting or floors.
  • Furniture: Move lighter pieces off of the carpeting. Place plastic wrap or plastic bags under the legs of larger furniture. Wipe any excess water off of the furniture.

Fire Damage Tips

You’ve suffered a fire loss. While you are waiting for a member of the Paul Davis team to arrive, below are some suggestions to help handle with the damage:

  • Be Safe: You should never reenter affected areas of the home until fire officials have deemed the home 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, as well as cuts and scrapes from exposed, sharp edges are very real. Only perform tasks that can be done safely.
  • Going Back Inside: The aftermath of fire damage are measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a short time, entry by a person can cause more damage. Enter ONLY if emergency personnel have cleared the property and deemed it safe to enter and only if absolutely necessary.
  • Electronics/Appliances: Never use any stereo, TV or other electrical appliances until they have been inspected by a technician. If the electricity is turned off, empty your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open using a rolled towel.
  • Carpets: Avoid being on carpet when possible. Do not use “DIY” home carpet cleaners.
  • Ceilings/Walls: Do not wipe or attempt to wash ceilings and other absorbent surfaces.
  • Doors: Shut all doors in affected areas to confine smoke odors as much as possible.
  • Food Items: Don’t eat food exposed to smoke or canned items that have been subjected to excessive heat.
  • Furnace: Change the furnace or air conditioner filter if the blower is operating. Tape double pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
  • Pets: Relocate all pets to a safe environment until your property has been 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 business or home has been damaged by storm, fire, mold, water or other disaster, Call Paul!