Belongings After Water Damage: What Happens
When water gets into a house, it does not stop at the walls and floors. It soaks furniture, clothes, books, electronics and papers, and the question of what happens to those belongings is often the first thing a homeowner asks after the water is out.
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This guide explains what happens to wet belongings in general terms. Whether contents restoration is offered is something the operator should confirm, and it should not be assumed.
What happens to wet belongings in general terms
Wet belongings are usually moved out of the affected rooms so the building can be dried, and they are sorted into what can be dried and cleaned, what needs specialist attention, and what cannot be saved. The sorting depends on the material, the category of water, and how long the item was wet.
Belongings soaked by contaminated water, such as floodwater or sewage, are treated differently from those soaked by clean water, and some items that touched contaminated water cannot be safely cleaned.
Move belongings away from water if safe
If you can do so safely and without stepping into standing water, move small valuables, papers and electronics to a dry room. Lift furniture legs onto blocks where you can, and carry rugs and soft furnishings out of the wet area.
Do not try to move heavy furniture through water, and do not handle items that have been in contact with sewage or floodwater. Leave those for the professional crew, who have the right protection.
Contents scope
Whether contents restoration, the cleaning and drying of belongings, is offered is something the operator should confirm. It should not be published as offered until it is confirmed, and the scope of what is covered can vary a great deal from one operator to another.
Ask the question directly before the job starts, so you know whether your belongings will be dealt with as part of the restoration or whether you need to arrange it separately. Our page on water damage restoration explains the wider process in general terms.
What to do with damaged items
Take photos of damaged belongings before they are moved or thrown away, and keep a simple list with a short description of each item. These records are useful for any insurance claim, and they are easier to gather now than to reconstruct later.
In the Capital Region, water damage help in Albany can advise on the next steps for a wet home, and emergency water removal covers the first stage of getting the water out. Do not throw away damaged items until you have documented them.
Key Takeaways
- Wet belongings are usually moved out of the affected rooms so the building can be dried, and they are sorted into what can be dried and cleaned, what needs specialist attention, and what cannot be saved.
- If you can do so safely and without stepping into standing water, move small valuables, papers and electronics to a dry room.
- Whether contents restoration, the cleaning and drying of belongings, is offered is something the operator should confirm.
- Take photos of damaged belongings before they are moved or thrown away, and keep a simple list with a short description of each item.
Ready for the Next Step?
Call to arrange a water damage visit in New York. Describe what you found and we will talk through the next step.
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