Frequently Asked Questions

After the Flood, Water Damage, or Fire

Water Damage: What Actions Can I Take?

• Shut Down Affected Utilities
1. Water Source: Stop the source of the water. Turn off your outside water main, or call a plumber or other qualified tradesman to stop the source of water flow. Contact your local utilities department if you can’t find how to turn off the water main.
2. Electrical: Disconnect all power to affected areas. Do not operate your TVs or other electrical appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors (especially if concrete). Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water.

• Remove as Much Standing Water as Possible
1. Floors: Remove as much standing water as possible by squeegee, mopping or blotting.
2. Carpeting: Blot wet carpet with clean white towels. Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet. Place a fan so air flows over the carpet, speeding the drying process.
3. Ceilings: Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water. Place a plastic (not metal) bucket under the leak. Do not turn on ceiling light fixtures or fan if the ceiling is wet.

• Move Wet Items to Dry Areas
1. Clothing/Fabrics: Move wet items to a dry place. Do not allow draperies to remain in contact with wet floors or carpeting. Open and empty drawers and cabinets for complete drying. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
2. Furniture: Move lighter pieces off of the carpeting. Place plastic wrap or plastic bags beneath the legs of larger furniture. Wipe any residual water off of the furniture.
3. Art Objects/Paintings: Remove valuable painting and pictures from wet walls. Transfer all objects to a dry safe place.
4. Upholstery: Remove and prop up wet upholstered cushions for even drying. Check for possible bleeding of colors.
5. Luggage: Open suitcases and luggage to dry in sunlight if possible.
6. Books/Magazines: Do not leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors. High value books should be given to a professional for proper drying and restoration as soon as possible.

• Ventilate Affected Areas
1. Air Conditioning: Turn on your air conditioner (no lower than 72 degrees) to speed drying in the summer, or more humid regions.
2. Open windows and doors when possible.

After the Fire: What Should I Do?

• DO NOT
1. Walk on damaged carpet or sit on upholstered furniture unless absolutely necessary.
2. Wipe or wash walls or other absorbent or porous surfaces.
3. Consume any food items exposed to smoke or excessive heat.
4. Consume food or drink product that have been in a fire damaged environment.
5. Use any electronics or appliances until they have been cleaned or checked.

• DO
1. Change the furnace filter if the blower is operating.
2. Inventory and destroy all medications and prescriptions.  If you are actively taking your medication make sure to have a doctor or quick care provide a new prescription immediately. 
3. Ventilate affected areas by openning windows and doors when possible.

What do I need to know?

• Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, and mold. These can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the water damage. Call today for an expert to contain, inspect for, and terminate microorganisms.


• Sewage and storm water contamination must be contained. Call today to fix the problem, clean the sewage, AND disinfect and sanitize your home and belongings.


• Water can seep into your walls, floors, and belongings.
  • Complete structural drying is an excellent method of drying, reducing risk of mold, and restoring your property to normal as quickly as possible.
  • Wood floors and finished flooring can swell and eventually become damaged if not properly dried. Patience is required as finished flooring and floor systems do not react and dry out overnight, sometimes taking weeks for the flooring to flatten and/or stabilize.
  • Drying water damaged kitchen cabinets is easier and more cost-effective than replacing them.
  Call today for dehumidification and complete drying services- structure, carpet & area rugs, hardwood floors, walls, furniture, kitchen cabinets.


• Like water, fire & smoke damage can often be concealed from the visible eye. Smoke comes in four basic varieties:
  • Dry Smoke results from a fast burning high temperature fire.
  • Protein Smoke has an extreme pungent odor but is virtually invisible.
  • Wet Smoke is described as resulting from a low heat fire.
  • Fuel Oil Soot Smoke results from furnace currents.
  Call today for a professional to evaluate the smoke and fire damage, target the type of smoke that has saturated the structure, and identify what type of restoration or replacement is necessary.

What to do & what you should know after water damage or fire damage:

Water Damage: What Actions Can I Take?

After the Fire: What Should I Do?

What you need to know...

Useful Resources

Types of Services

• Drying
• Water Removal
• Cleanup
• Dehumidification
• Odor & Mildew Control
• Mold Remediation
• Fire & Smoke Remediation
• Carpet Repair & Stretching
• More Services...

Other Useful Resources

• Flood Insurance- What's Covered?


• Water Damage- Home Insurance Scenarios


• Am I Covered? Common Questions Asked by Homeowners about Insurance


• Recommendations to Help You Recover From a Flood


• Fire Damage Clean Up


• Sewage Spill Clean Up