When it comes to water damage or flooding disaster, your building may look like a swamp. Your carpet, upholstery, hard flooring and structural components may appear to be ruined. Restoring your property after water damage can be a challenge.

Here are a few basic tips to help you out, with the common concerns of mold and fungal activity we recommend hiring a professional, to assist you. All the time, we hear stories of photographs and other valuables that were thrown away because the people had no idea that these items were, in fact, salvageable.

• Stay away from contaminated water
• Electrical hazards are a huge concern, do not turn on wet wiring
• Open up doors and windows to create air flow
• Move furniture or raise on blocks to prevent moisture absorption and staining
• Hang dry or launder wet clothes immediately - if you wait it can get moldy and you will need to discard the item
• Wash your hands before eating after flood clean up work, there can be many different type of pathogens in the water
• Call in a trained and certified restoration professional to help you
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Here is a list of DOs if you have smoke or fire damage.  You can and should do most of these even before a fire restoration company shows up.

• Remove pets to a clean environment, including changing water in fish tanks.
• Provide alternate power sources to freezers and refrigerators. If this is not possible, empty freezers & refrigerators and prop doors open with a rolled up newspaper or towel. 
• Introduce fresh air to the contaminated environment by opening windows. 
• If the furnace is still operating, change the filter. 
• Wash plants with water on both sides of the leaves. Also, remove the top 1/2 to 1" of soil. 
• Vacuum or blow off loose smoke particles from upholstery, draperies and carpets. 
• Pour anti-freeze in toilet bowls, sinks and tubs to prevent freezing if the heat is off in the winter. 
• If the heating system is off in the winter, drain the heating system if applicable. 
• Clean arborite counter-tops and linoleum floors. 
• Clean and protect bathroom faucets, tub fittings, chrome towel bars, and trims on kitchen appliances.

Also it is possible to do more harm to your home during a smoke or fire loss.  Here is a list of the DON'Ts to follow.

• Use computers, appliances, TVs, VCRs or stereos until they have been cleaned and tested. 
• Use food items that have been exposed to soot or canned goods that have been subjected to excessive heat. 
• Use upholstered sofas and chairs etc. 
• Attempt to wash walls, ceilings, unsealed wood, bricks or other absorbent surfaces. 
• Launder clothes or dry clean garments that have a strong smoke odor. Improper cleaning may set smoke or odors.