Water flooding? Fire just out? Storm just hit?

While you wait for us — these steps reduce your damage

For active water damage

1. Shut off the water main. Usually in the basement or crawl space where the water line enters. If it's a slab home, it may be at the front-foundation cleanout or at the meter.
2. Shut off electricity to the affected area at the breaker panel. Water and electricity are a shock and fire hazard.
3. Move what you can to dry ground. Wood furniture on wet carpet will stain and warp within hours.
4. Don't try to vacuum or extract — household vacuums aren't rated for water and will destroy themselves.
5. Take photos. Every affected area, every damaged item.

For active fire / immediately post-fire

1. Do not enter the property until fire department clears it. Smoldering structures can re-ignite. Smoke contains toxic gases.
2. Don't touch or wipe soot. Soot is acidic and your fingers will smear it into porous surfaces, making damage permanent.
3. Don't run HVAC. The HVAC system spreads smoke and soot to rooms that weren't affected by the fire.
4. Do not throw anything away yet. Wait until insurance documentation is complete.
5. Call us. We'll secure the property and begin the documentation process.

For storm damage

1. Stay away from downed power lines. Assume every wire is live. Call the utility.
2. If your roof is open and it's raining, place buckets and tarps over indoor items if you can do so safely. Don't try to climb on the roof yourself.
3. Document everything with photos before moving or removing anything.
4. Do not sign anything with door-knocking "storm chasers." They appear after every event, take deposits, and disappear. Call us first.

For sewage backup

1. DO NOT walk through it. Category 3 black water contains biological hazards.
2. Keep children and pets out of the affected area.
3. If the toilet is overflowing, shut the water supply at the valve behind the toilet base.
4. Don't try to clean it yourself. DIY cleanup of sewage almost always makes things worse.
5. Call us. We arrive in full PPE with proper extraction equipment.