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The following Emergency
Tips were complied by members and staff of the National Institute of
Disaster Restoration, based on their wide experience with various
types of damage. It is not likely that your situation will
require all of these procedures. so apply those which common sense
indicates are appropriate.
Water Damage
Water damage arises
from fire damage, broken pipes, blocked drains, malfunctioning
appliances, storms and
other causes. The appropriate
treatment depends on the nature of the damage. Some water carries
contaminants and should be considered hazardous (see Sewage and
Flood Damage).
Whatever the , origin, the prospects for restoration
depend largely on the speed with which your building and personal
property can be dried. Even clean water can generate mildew and
other bacterial growth if neglected.
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Ventilate wet areas. Turn on air conditioning for
accelerated drying in summer; in winter alternate cycles of
opened windows and heating.
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Remove
standing water from flat surfaces by sponging and blotting.
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Take up
saturated rugs and carpets when hardwood floors are at risk.
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Stay out
of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
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Transport
computers to a dry environment, remove cases and blow dry with
low pressure air.
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Remove
lamps, telephones and decorative items from wet furniture tops.
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Open
drawers and cabinet doors for interior drying, but do not force
open stuck drawers or doors.
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Freeze
valuable books and documents to retard mildew growth until
drying can be performed.
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Place aluminum foil squares, china saucers or
wood blocks under furniture legs to avoid carpet staining.
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Operate TVs, vacuums or other appliances while
standing on wet carpet or floors, especially not on wet concrete
floors. Serious injury may result.
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Use heat
to dry closed building interiors; mildew and expanded moisture
damage may result.
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Leave wet fabrics in place; space them apart and
dry as soon as possible
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