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

Contact Paul Davis for all your property damage needs. (570) 402-2300

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

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

      • Be Safe: Water events can present many potential safety hazards to residents. The potential for slips, falls and electric shock are real. Also, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only complete tasks that can be done so safely.
      • Water Source: It is very 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 your water meter.
      • Electrical: Turn off the power to affected rooms of the house. Don’t operate your television or other electrical appliances while standing on wet floors or carpets.
      • Air Conditioning: Turn the air conditioner on to speed up drying during the summer or in humid areas of the country.
      • Floors: Get rid of as much standing water as possible, using towels or a mop. (Do not 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: Move wet items to dry areas. Do not allow draperies to remain 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 extra water off of the furniture.

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

      • Be Safe: Never reenter affected areas of the home until fire officials have deemed the scene completely safe. Even when the fire is out, there are potential safety hazards to be aware of. The potential for slips and falls from the water used to diffuse the fire, and scrapes and cuts from exposed, sharp edges are real. Only perform tasks that can be done completely safely.
      • Going Back Inside: The effects of fire damage are measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a short time, entry by a person can lead to additional 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 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 walking or tracking on carpet if possible. Do not use “do-it-yourself” home carpet cleaners.
      • Ceilings/Walls: Do not attempt to wash or wipe ceilings and other absorbent surfaces.
      • Doors: Shut doors in affected rooms to focus smoke odors as much as possible.
      • Food Items: Do not eat any food exposed to smoke or any canned goods that have been exposed to excessive heat.
      • Furnace: Change the air conditioner or furnace filter if the blower is operating. Tape two pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
      • Pets: Transfer any pets to a safe environment until your house has been fully cleaned and restored.
      • Plants: Rinse plants with mild soap and water, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
      • Windows: If possible, open windows to ventilate.

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