503restoration.com: fire and water damage help for the Portland metro, Salem and the Willamette Valley
1. Safety first
- Fire or gas smell: get out and call 911. Go back in only when the fire department says it's safe.
- Standing water near outlets, cords or appliances: stay out. Turn off power at the breaker only from a dry spot.
- Sagging ceiling: keep everyone out of the room.
- Sewage: keep kids and pets away. The EPA says contaminated water is a job for professionals (EPA).
2. Stop the damage
- Water: close the fixture valve or the main shutoff. Open faucets to drain the lines.
- Portland meter-side break or a shutoff you can't close: Portland Water Bureau 24-hour line, 503-823-4874, option 1 (Portland Water Bureau).
- Fire: board up broken windows and doors and tarp roof openings.
- Keep the furnace and air conditioning off after a fire or heavy smoke.
3. Document before anything moves
- Video walk-through of every affected room, starting outside.
- Wide photos of each room, then close-ups of damage and serial numbers on appliances and electronics.
- Photograph the source: the burst pipe, failed hose, roof hole or burn point.
- Keep failed parts if you can, like a split supply line.
- Save every receipt: tarps, fans, hotel, meals, pet boarding.
4. Make the calls
- Your insurer: report the claim. Write down the claim number and adjuster's name.
- A restoration crew to start mitigation. You can request one here.
- A plumber or electrician if the source needs repair.
- Your landlord or property manager, if you rent.
5. Protect what you can
- Lift rugs, electronics, papers and photos off wet floors.
- Put foil or wood blocks under furniture legs.
- Open windows if the weather is dry. Close them if it's raining.
- Throw out food exposed to heat, smoke or chemicals (Red Cross).
- Handling ash? Wear an N95. Cloth masks and bandanas don't filter fine ash (Oregon DEQ/OHA).
Don't
- Don't use a household vacuum on water.
- Don't use a leaf blower or dry-sweep ash (EPA).
- Don't scrub soot off walls, carpet or upholstery.
- Don't make permanent repairs before your insurer inspects (Oregon DFR). Drying and board-up are fine.
- Don't wait days to start drying. The EPA's window to dry materials before mold usually grows is 24 to 48 hours (EPA).