WHAT TO DO WHILE YOU WAIT FOR SERVPRO AFTER WATER DAMAGE OCCURS

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

Here's what to do when water damage occurs.

SERVPRO will be on the scene quickly after a water damage event, but while you are waiting for them to arrive, there are some things that you can do to prepare for the cleanup. 

Here is your to-do list:

• Safety assessment. This is the first order of business: making sure that affected areas are safe for anyone who may come into contact with them. If flooring has been affected, for example, you will want to ensure that it is safe to walk on in order to avoid slips, trips, and falls or possible collapse. Look for exposed wiring, sharp edges, and sharp objects, too. Make sure all the people who are in the home or business are safe and accounted for, and see to any needs that may come up. 

• Take stock of the damage. Get your camera or smartphone out and take pictures of all the damaged areas and belongings. This will be helpful to have on hand for your insurance person. Make a folder just for the water damage event, and keep all the photos there. If you need to, you can add descriptive notes as to what the area looked like before the event occurred, as well as any helpful notations that may seem important. 
• Insurance. Contact your agent and let them know what has happened. Ask them what they require to make their assessment, and get started on providing them with whatever they ask for. Obtain a copy of your policy and make sure you have all the pages it should include. If the damage is extensive or if there have been injuries and you anticipate a claim being filed, contact an attorney who specializes in these kinds of events. 
• Dry it up. If you have safe premises, it will be a good idea to start the drying process if the event is not too big for you alone. Sweep water away from corners, for example, and mop up standing water. Move any affected machinery or furniture away from the areas that will be focused on if you can do so safely. 

The SERVPRO of Belle Meade / West Nashville team is a team of water damage cleanup experts. We handle fire damage and mold remediation, too.