Water Damage
Damage caused by water is one of the largest sources of insurance claims, and if the repair job is not done correctly, the headache caused can be never-ending. Water must be rapidly dried from all affected areas—otherwise, your wood could warp and swell, electrical parts could short and cause fires, metals could rust, and remaining moisture could lead to deadly mold infestations.
At SERVICE PRO RESTORATION INC, we understand the importance of quickly and efficiently drying and repairing all damage caused by water. We are certified water restoration experts with years of experience and can quickly evaluate the source and damage caused by the water. We utilize our state-of-the-art equipment to dry the wet areas, clean and sanitize all affected areas, and finally, repair and restore your home to normal. Throughout the process, we measure the moisture and humidity levels so that we are sure your home is dry and mold-free. We have worked with all major insurance companies to quickly return water-damaged homes to pre-loss condition.
SERVICE PRO RESTORATION INC, will document the materials which were affected by the water damage and refer to industry standard pricing guides in order to determine the proper value of the residence’s materials lost and their replacement cost.
Water restoration services that we offer include the inspection of the affected area(s) with water sensing equipment such as probes and other infrared tools in order to determine the source of the damage, and possible extent of area affected. Water restoration services would then be rendered to the residence in order to dry the structure, sanitize any affected or cross-contaminated areas, and deodorize all affected areas and materials. After the labor is completed, water damage equipment including, but not limited to, air movers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, wood floor drying systems, and subfloor drying equipment is left in the residence. After a period of two to three days and the labor is completed, a reevaluation of the residence is taken to monitor the drying process, and any equipment not further needed is removed as to keep the charges under control.
Step 1–Shut off the Water Quickly
If you notice water on the floor of your home, you need to act quickly and shut off the main water supply. If you do not act quickly and allow the water to go into additional areas of the house, the insurance company will not look favorably upon this claim. You need to do everything within your power to limit the damage in the house.
Step 2–Take Pictures
With a digital camera, you need to take as many pictures as you can of the damage. Your digital camera will allow you to document proof of all of the damage to your house. If there is ever a question as to what will be covered, you can simply pull out the camera and look at the evidence. Pictures have helped many homeowners avoid getting their claims denied.
Step 3–Document Damage
In addition to taking pictures of the damage, you need to document any notes that you might have in a notebook. Any thoughts that are occurring to you about the damage, you need to write them down before they are forgotten. Many homeowners forget to talk to the insurance adjuster about certain aspects of the claim. Then later on, the adjuster thinks that the insured is trying to add things on to the total bill. It is better to go over everything on the front end and that way, no one will feel like you are trying to take advantage of them.
Step 4–Call Water Mitigation Company
When working with an insurance company, you should consider calling a professional water mitigation team out to your house. Many people try to take on the task of drying out the house themselves. While you have every right to do this, in most cases it will be in your best interest to let the professionals handle this aspect of it. If you want to do some of the remodel work yourself, there is nothing wrong with this. However, if you take on the job of drying out the house, it could cause you problems in the future.
Many homeowners do not know how to thoroughly dry out a house and check for moisture. If you do not get the house completely dry, mold will inevitably start to form. Many insurance companies will not cover mold damage if you do not properly dry out the site to begin with.
Water mitigation teams have sophisticated equipment that they use in order to check for moisture and eliminate it. Most individuals do not have access to this type of equipment or the knowledge that is required to use it. If you want to increase the odds of getting your claim approved, leave this part of the pros.