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

Contact Paul Davis for all your property damage needs. (951) 444-8794

  • Obviously, it is extremely important to make sure you and your family (and don’t forget your pets) are safe and that you contact your friends and relatives to let them know you are safe.
  • Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as possible.
  • Keep a listing of any household personal belongings or goods that you have thrown out and receipts for any expenses you incur in protecting your home.
  • Is your house safe? Depending on the extent of the 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’ve suffered a water loss. While you are waiting for Paul Davis to arrive, listed below are helpful tips to help deal with the damage:

  • Be Safe: A water event 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 perform tasks that can be done safely.
  • Water Source: It is 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 your water meter.
  • Electrical: Be sure to turn off the power to affected areas of the property. Do not operate your television or other electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring.
  • Air Conditioning: Turn your 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 a mop or towels. (Never use a vacuum cleaner.)
  • Carpeting: Blot soaked carpeting with clean, white towels. Remove all colored rugs or Oriental rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet.
  • Clothing/Fabrics: Move wet items to a dry place. Don’t let draperies to remain in contact with wet floors or carpeting.
  • Furniture: Move lighter pieces away from the carpeting. Place plastic wrap or plastic bags under the legs of large furniture. Wipe any residual 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 deal with the situation:

  • Be Safe: Never reenter affected areas of the house until fire officials have deemed the property completely safe. Even after the fire is out, there are potential safety hazards to be aware of. The potential for slips and falls from water used to put out the fire, as well as scrapes and cuts from exposed, sharp edges are real. Only perform tasks that can be completed safely.
  • Going Back Inside: The effects of fire damage are measured down to microscopic levels. Even for a small amount of time, entry by a person can create extra 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 checked by a technician. If the electricity is turned off, empty the contents of your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open using a rolled towel.
  • Carpets: Avoid walking on carpet if at all possible. Do not use “DIY” home carpet cleaners.
  • Walls/Ceilings: Don’t attempt to wash or wipe ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
  • Doors: Close doors in affected areas to contain 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 air conditioner or furnace filter if the blower is operating. Tape double pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
  • Pets: Relocate any and all pets to a safe environment until your property has been cleaned and restored.
  • Plants: Wash plants with mild soap and water, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
  • Windows: If possible, open windows to ventilate.

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