As we all know, one of the worst types of damage that we may encounter in our day to day living is water damage. When water damage wreaks havoc in our place, our daily routine is interrupted. In many instances our kids can't go to school, we can't go to work, or even do the mundane tasks that need to be done. Furthermore, our personal belongings, important documents, and valuable possessions may be subject to its destructive capabilities.

Dealing with water damage in our house can be a major headache but if we can somehow manage the damage straight away and using the right methods, we can go on with our normal lives much faster and with less hassle. Here are some simple guidelines to remember:

The Do's

1. If the outside temperature is above 60 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available. These will bring the humidity down and allow things to dry at a much faster rate.

2. Use fans to circulate the air and assist in drying. These can be placed particularly in rooms where not much sun can get inside.

3. Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.

4. Wipe furniture dry. If necessary, have pieces furniture dry outdoors under the heat of the sun.

5. Lift draperies off the carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.

6. Prop up wet furniture cushions and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.

7. Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings. Apply the necessary drying and cleaning techniques for these so as to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

8. Open furniture drawers, closet doors, and luggage to enhance drying.

9. Move photos, paintings, and art objects to a safe, dry location. Apply the appropriate restoration techniques on these or call a professional for help.

10. Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.

11. Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry. Or you may also use dehumidifiers which can dry off these books slowly without having to remove them from the shelves.

12. If water damage takes place during a cool season, leave the heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner if available.

The Don'ts

1. Do not use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water. Heavy duty vacuums are available for this type of clean up.

2. Do not use any electrical appliances while standing on a wet carpet or wet floors.

3. Do not go into rooms with stagnating water if the electricity is still on.

4. Do not lift tacked down carpet without assistance from and expert as lifting carpet incorrectly could result to shrinkage.

5. Do not waste time in calling for professional help if it is needed. Water damage can pose serious health hazards if not acted on immediately.

The above water damage do's and don'ts are fairly simple and can be performed with presence of mind and a good head on one's shoulders. Since water damage incidents can just happen in our daily lives without any warning, common sense and quick action should prevail at all times.