[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":86},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-flood-fire-damage-first-steps-en-US":3},{"guide":4,"related":65},{"title":5,"seoTitle":6,"description":7,"summary":8,"sections":9,"faq":30,"cta":37,"date":39,"updated":40,"service":41,"order":42,"sources":43,"slug":63,"locale":64},"First steps after a flood or fire for NYC and Long Island property owners","Flood or Fire Damage: First Steps","What to do in the first days after water or fire damage: safety, power, documentation for insurance, drying and choosing what to rebuild.","Secure the property, document all damage before anything is discarded, notify your insurer and begin drying within 24 to 48 hours. Wiring that was exposed to water should be checked by a licensed electrician before power is restored.",[10,18,22,26],{"heading":11,"list":12},"The first 24 hours",[13,14,15,16,17],"[Stay out if there is structural damage](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ready.gov\u002Fhome-fires), standing water near outlets or a gas smell","[Keep the power off to affected areas](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psegliny.com\u002Fen\u002FSafetyAndReliability\u002Fstormsafety\u002Ffloodsafety) until an electrician checks them","[Photograph and video every room](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.floodsmart.gov\u002Frecover\u002Fdocument-damage) and damaged item before cleanup","Call your insurance company and write down the claim number","Prevent further water entry by tarping the roof and boarding up openings",{"heading":19,"paragraphs":20},"Drying and demolition",[21],"Wet drywall, insulation and carpet usually must be [removed promptly to prevent mold](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.epa.gov\u002Fmold\u002Fbrief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home). Moisture readings show what can stay. Prompt drying limits the scope of the repair.",{"heading":23,"paragraphs":24},"Working with insurance",[25],"Your adjuster determines what the policy covers. A clear written scope, [photos and line-item estimates](\u002Fguides\u002Fflood-fire-damage-tax-records) support that review. Flood damage is usually [covered only by flood insurance](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.floodsmart.gov\u002Fknow-your-risk\u002Fwhat-is-a-flood), not by a standard homeowner's policy.",{"heading":27,"paragraphs":28},"Rebuilding to limit future damage",[29],"In basements and garden levels, moisture-resistant drywall, vinyl plank flooring and raised outlets cost little extra and reduce damage next time.",[31,34],{"q":32,"a":33},"Can I turn the power back on myself?","Not if outlets, panels or wiring were exposed to water. A licensed electrician should inspect them first, and in NYC some repairs also require a permit and inspection.",{"q":35,"a":36},"Do you deal with the insurance company?","We document the damage and give your adjuster the scope and estimates. We are not public adjusters and cannot negotiate your claim.",{"text":38},"Send photographs of the damage, the date of the loss and your insurance claim number. You receive, at no charge, a written scope and estimate that [separates emergency work from rebuilding](\u002Fservices\u002Frestoration), ready to give to your adjuster.","2026-10-24","2026-10-25","restoration",12,[44,48,52,55,59],{"title":45,"url":46,"publisher":47},"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.epa.gov\u002Fmold\u002Fbrief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home","U.S. Environmental Protection Agency",{"title":49,"url":50,"publisher":51},"What is a Flood?","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.floodsmart.gov\u002Fknow-your-risk\u002Fwhat-is-a-flood","FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program",{"title":53,"url":54,"publisher":51},"Document Your Damage","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.floodsmart.gov\u002Frecover\u002Fdocument-damage",{"title":56,"url":57,"publisher":58},"Flood Safety","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psegliny.com\u002Fen\u002FSafetyAndReliability\u002Fstormsafety\u002Ffloodsafety","PSEG Long Island",{"title":60,"url":61,"publisher":62},"Home Fires","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ready.gov\u002Fhome-fires","Ready.gov (FEMA)","flood-fire-damage-first-steps","en-US",[66,71,76,81],{"slug":67,"title":68,"description":69,"service":41,"date":40,"updated":70},"flood-fire-damage-tax-records","Tax Records to Keep After Flood or Fire Damage","Records NYC and Long Island owners should keep after flood or fire damage, the 2026 rule for state-declared disasters, and how rental property differs.","2026-10-26",{"slug":72,"title":73,"description":74,"service":75,"date":39,"updated":40},"rental-turnover-cost-tips","Reducing turnover and maintenance costs on rental units","Practical ways for NYC and Long Island landlords to shorten vacancy and spend less on each turnover: standard finishes, durable materials and planned maintenance.","rental",{"slug":77,"title":78,"description":79,"service":80,"date":39,"updated":70},"building-maintenance-checklist","A maintenance checklist for small building owners in NYC","Seasonal and yearly maintenance for small multifamily and mixed-use buildings in New York City, plus the inspections that apply to many of them.","maintenance",{"slug":82,"title":83,"description":84,"service":85,"date":40,"updated":70},"nyc-local-law-92-94-roof-replacement","Replacing a NYC Roof Under Local Laws 92 and 94","When a NYC roof replacement must add solar or a green roof under Local Laws 92 and 94, which jobs are exempt, and how to file both as one project.","roofing",1793066401315]