Resource
Protecting Belongings After Water Damage
Early handling decisions that determine what can be recovered later.
Separate wet from dry immediately
Anything still dry should leave the affected space entirely. Items left in a humid room continue absorbing moisture even when they never touched water.
Paper and photographs are urgent
Documents and photographs deteriorate quickly and can fuse together as they dry unevenly. Separating sheets and keeping them cool slows the damage until they can be handled properly.
Do not power wet electronics
A device that appears dry on the outside may hold moisture on its boards. Powering it on usually converts a recoverable item into a total loss.
Furniture and soft goods
Lift furniture off wet flooring to stop staining and wicking. Upholstery and textiles hold odour, so early cleaning gives better results than waiting.
Record as you go
Photograph items before moving them and keep a simple list. That inventory is useful for both restoration decisions and any insurance discussion.
This guide is general information for Scarborough property owners and occupants. Conditions at your property should be assessed individually.