Helpful Tips

The aftermath of any disaster that has directly affected your house is most often traumatic and stressful. Paul Davis offers the following tips and information that should help provide a smoother recovery process.

Contact Paul Davis for all your property damage needs. (636) 479-7637

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

Water Damage Tips

You have 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 a lot of possible safety hazards to residents. The potential for slips and falls and electric shock are real. Keep in mind, items soaked with water can be very heavy. Only perform tasks that can be done so 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 the water meter.
  • Electrical: Turn off the power to affected rooms of the house. Do not operate the TV or other electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring.
  • Air Conditioning: Turn the air conditioner on to speed updrying in the summer or in humid areas of the country.
  • Floors: Remove as much standing water as possible, using towels or a mop. (Don’t use a vacuum cleaner.)
  • Carpeting: Blot soaked carpet 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 let draperies to stay 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 larger furniture. Wipe any extra water off of the furniture.

Fire Damage Tips

You have suffered a fire loss. While you are waiting for us to arrive, below are some helpful tips to help deal with the situation:

  • 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 used to put out the fire, and cuts and scrapes 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 time, entry by a person can lead to extra damage. Enter ONLY if emergency personnel have cleared the property and deemed it safe to enter and only if absolutely necessary.
  • Appliances/Electronics: Never use any stereo, TV or other electrical appliances until they have been inspected by a technician. If the electricity is off, empty your refrigerator/freezer completely and prop the doors open using a rolled towel.
  • Carpets: Avoid walking 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 all doors in affected rooms to contain smoke odors as much as possible.
  • Food Items: Don’t consume food items 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: Move all pets to a clean environment until your house has been completely restored and cleaned.
  • Plants: Wash plants with mild soap and water, cleaning both sides of the leaves.
  • Windows: If possible, open windows to ventilate.

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