What to Do in the Event of Water Damage from Sandy

Water damage is progressive and items that could be restored within the first 48 hours of the water damage may not be restored if emergency response is delayed. Although you might be tempted to use a shop vacuum or call a company that only has equipment to dry carpet, you should consider that water will wick up walls and travel under base molding and sill plates. It will penetrate through floor coverings into sub-floors, even causing water damage in rooms below.
Structures that are not dried out quickly and properly can become a food source for mold growth, which may require professional mold removal. We understand how important it is to react quickly in the unfortunate event of water damage, you can rely on Rainbow International to provide emergency response and quick professional service 24-hours a day.
In the event of water damage, do the following:
• Stay calm!
• Turn off the breaker in the damaged area before you unplug or remove any electrical devices located on the wet carpet.
• Place aluminum foil under the legs of any furniture, which is in contact with wet carpet. This might help prevent furniture stains on your carpet.
• Lift draperies away from wet carpet.
• Pin up upholstered furniture skirts which may get wet.
• Remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants, and other items, which may stain wet carpet.
Do not attempt the following:
• Don’t use your home vacuum, since electrical shock may result, as well as certain damage to the equipment itself.
• Don’t place newspaper in traffic areas to walk on, since newspaper ink transfers easily to the wet carpet fibers and may result in permanent staining.
• Don’t walk on carpet any more than necessary. This will keep the damage from spreading to unaffected areas.
Tips from Rainbow International of Cape May County. Rainbow International of Cape May County can be reached at (609) 624-2244. http://www.rainbowintl.com/Avalon.