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Immediate Actions to Take After Water Damage and What Not to Do

Water Damage Cleanup

Discovering water damage in your home or business can be a stressful experience. Immediate action is crucial to minimize the severity of the damage and prevent further issues. Here are some essential steps to take immediately after discovering water damage:

What to Do:

1. **Turn off the water source:** Locate the source of the leak or flood and shut off the water supply as soon as possible.
2. **Remove standing water:** Use a pump, mop, or towels to remove any standing water. Open windows and doors to ventilate the area.
3. **Contact a professional water damage cleanup company:** Call a reputable water damage cleanup service to assess the extent of the damage and begin the cleanup process promptly.
4. **Take photos and document the damage:** Document the extent of the damage with photos and videos. This will help support your insurance claim.

What Not to Do:

1. **Do not enter flooded areas if water is deep or has electrical wires:** It is dangerous to enter flooded areas if the water is deep or there are exposed electrical wires. Contact a professional for assistance.
2. **Do not use electrical appliances in wet areas:** Never use electrical appliances or touch electrical outlets in areas where water is present.
3. **Do not remove wet carpeting or flooring yourself:** Removing wet carpeting or flooring can further damage the flooring and subflooring. Leave this task to a professional.
4. **Do not attempt to dry the area with heat:** Using heat sources such as hair dryers or space heaters to dry the area can increase the risk of mold growth.