Flood Tips While Waiting for Help
What to do right now to protect your home and family while help is on the way.
Get Answers Before Help Arrives
After 20+ years of taking emergency calls, we understand the panic and fear that comes with discovering water in your home. Your mind races. You do not know what to do first. You worry about your belongings, your floors, your walls, whether insurance will cover it, and how long this will take to fix.
Take a breath. Help is on the way. Below are practical steps you can take right now to minimize the damage while you wait for our team to arrive.
First step: Call All Dry immediately at (303) 376-4179. We respond within 60-90 minutes.
Do's
Steps you can safely take to minimize damage while waiting for help.
Shut off the water source if you can identify it and safely reach it. Turn off the main water supply if necessary.
Go to the highest level of your home if water is rising. Stay safe above the water line.
Move items to higher ground or cover them with plastic sheeting. Get valuables, documents, and electronics off the floor.
Mop and wet-vac as much water as you can. Every gallon you remove now reduces the total damage.
Open windows to improve air circulation and help reduce moisture levels.
Turn on fans and AC if it is hot outside. Increased air movement helps slow moisture absorption into building materials.
Open cabinets and drawers in affected areas so air can circulate inside them.
Turn off electricity to affected areas at the breaker box, unless doing so requires you to walk through standing water. Safety first.
Photograph the damage for your insurance claim. Take photos and videos of all affected areas before you start cleaning up.
Bring wet clothes outside to dry. Throw out any fabric that has been contaminated by sewage. It cannot be safely cleaned.
Call your insurance company to report the damage and start the claims process.
Don'ts
Avoid these common mistakes that can make the situation worse or put you at risk.
Do NOT use a household vacuum to remove water. Regular vacuums are not designed for water and can cause electric shock. Only use a wet/dry shop vacuum if you have one.
Do NOT use appliances while standing on wet floors. The combination of water and electricity is extremely dangerous.
Do NOT use ceiling light fixtures if the ceiling is wet. Water can conduct electricity through light fixtures and cause shock or fire.
Leave the area immediately if you smell gas. Do not turn on or off any electrical switches. Call your gas company and 911 from a safe location.
Do NOT turn on your HVAC system unless you are confident there is no mold or bacteria present. HVAC systems can spread contaminants throughout your entire home.
"Joey and the team at All Dry are professional, reliable and fair. If you are in a bind with water or fire damage, All Dry is the only company to call."
Matthew Berkus
Need Help Right Now?
Our IICRC-certified team responds within 60-90 minutes across the Denver metro area. Call now and we will be on our way.