3 Point Restoration

Education - Water Damage

Fact:
Water damage is both hazardous to your health and dangerous for your home or business, you must act quickly to prevent other damage. You can minimize the damage, reduce restoration costs and prevent the growth of mold and other fungal contaminants.

 

What to do first:

• Protect your property, putting your safety first. Water damage can cause structural issues, electrical damage and biological hazards. View the 3 POINT WATER SAFETY RULES first and follow them.

• Secure your personal property and prevent further damage,

• Contact us at 3 POINT EMERGANCY, for one hour assistance to secure your home and personal effects. A 3 POINT DISASTER RECOVERY SPECIALIST will assist you through the entire process and stay by your side until your home is fully restored.

 

3 POINT WATER SAFTEY RULES

SAFTEY FIRST:

Dangers are not over even when the water goes down. Do not endanger yourself or your family after a water intrusion or disaster, no mater how small. Keep children and pets away. Try to protect yourself and your family from stress, fatigue, and water-related health hazards.

 

The following precautions will help neutralize the common water-related hazards, insuring a safe recovery process:

 

Use Protective Gear

Protect yourself before you enter the area:

 

Disposable plastic gloves will protect you from bacteria while working with water damage

 

Always use a Respirator with the correct filter; a HEPA filter is a 3 POINT favorite
Protective eyewear is a must

 

Disposable coveralls is a good way to protect you clothing and skin.

Rubber boots or foot coverings

 

*** Be sure to use disinfectants to wash hands before eating.

 

Structural Stability

If you are not certain the building is safe or if you have any question regarding personal safety, stay out and have a 3 POINT PROJECT COORDINATOR make an DAMAGE ASSESMENT. Do not enter if the ceiling is sagging due to water buildup or if walls have collapsed.

 

If the building is determined safe, walk in carefully and inspect indoor stability. Do not enter any deep standing water.

 

If your home is determined not to be safe or habitable during the restoration process, you may need to seek temporary housing with friends or family. During this process it is important to keep every receipt for money you spend associated with the fire loss, most insurance carriers have coverage for loss of use and either restoration pr replacement of personal property.

 

Contact a 3 POINT PROJECT COORDINATOR with help thought the entire process, we can even help you file a claim, assist with short term rentals, moving and storage and complete restoration services.

 

Cut Off the Power Supply

Always assume all power lines are active and functioning. You must turn off the power to your unit, the main circuit breaker panel will have a either a main circuit or simply turn off all the breakers, even if the neighborhood power appears to be down. The panel is usually installed in the garage, utility room, basement, or outdoors on the side of the home. In condominiums it is usually found in the kitchen or laundry area.

 

Do not remove excess water using regular household vacuums. Avoid using any electrical appliances especially while standing on wet carpets or floors.

 

If you choose to use a generator for temporary electricity supply, beware the generator's engine releases carbon monoxide that is extremely hazardous to health.

 

Electricity and water do not mix, contact the 3 POINT EMERGANCY TEAM to help, it could save your life.

 

Turn Off the Water Supply

Turn off the main water supply, when you turn it clockwise it should turn off or shut the valve. The main water valve is usually located in the basement, near the water meter, or outside the building. If you live in a condo contact the Building manager for assistance. If you cannot complete this task yourself, contact the 3 POINT ENERGANCY TEAM immediately.

 

Protecting your property

After eliminating any potential hazards you should take steps to protect and secure your property and personal belongings from further damage. This is also a good time to document any personal property damage that may have occurred, a 3 POINT PROJECT COORDINATOR can help you with this.

 

It is important to ventilate your property. However, security is important. Alarms and security systems may not work properly after a flood, so you must secure your property as best a possible from unwanted enrty.

 

Small Damage to Property

Use an approved wet/dry vac to clean up standing water, plastic sheets or tarps can be used to protect personal property against additional water damage. Beware, enclosed furniture and clothing will be susceptible to fungal growth within 24 hours, so immediately contact the 3 POINT EMERGANCY TEAM to assist with a long term solution.

 

Try to salvage your belongings by relocating them to a dry and ventilated part of your home; this will make the drying time more efficient. Contact a 3 POINT PROJECT COORDINATOR for assistance in documenting the loss and protecting you from further damage.

 

If you do not feel safe handling this job yourself, contact your 3 POINT TEAM for professional help.

 

Large Damaged to Property

If your property has been damaged to severely to secure it from looters, it is time to remove any valuables to a secured storage facility, such as the home of a friend or a storage unit.

 

While small items can easily be moved and/or stored with you, your 3 POINT TEAM can assist in securing the larger furniture and keepsake items to a secure storage facility close to your home. This will protect the larger items such as furniture and appliances, you may also want to consider a partial or complete move out.

 

Valuables will include:

 

Expense Reimbursement

 

During this process it is important to keep every receipt for money you spend associated with the water loss, most insurance carriers have coverage for loss of use and restoration or replacement of personal property.

 

Contact a 3 POINT PROJECT COORDINATOR with help thought the entire process, we can even help you file a claim, assist with short term rentals, moving and storage and complete restoration services.

 


 

 

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