Water Damage Restoration - Take Pertinent Measures

Property damaged by flooding water requires immediate response and proper mitigation in order to prevent secondary damage that ruins the contents of the building. You should hire a professional service that deploys appropriate methods to reduce the impact and restore the property.

Whether there has been a flood, a leaking roof or a burst pipe in your property, you should have it cleaned right away. Damage caused by flood is different from the one caused by broken pipes or overflowing sinks as floodwater is contaminated. Hence, the problem requires a professional approach for drying as well as sanitizing the property. Though the process of restoration varies for each situation, you should take immediate action whether the damage is too much or not. Time is of the utmost importance when it comes to proper mitigation. You should consider all of the aspects in order to limit the damage.

Hire Professional Service

A property that has been collaterally damaged due to a flood needs to be restored right away. If you think that it's just water and you can remove it, you are probably right but there are several other things that need to be taken care of. Apart from removing the water, the property and its contents need to be dried and all of it should be done within the least time possible. The longer you take, the graver the damage and more the expenses. Therefore, leaving it to a professional is a better idea than to attempt it yourself.

For the mitigation process, a professional service has technically advanced equipment like dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, wet-dry vacuum units, high powered drying fans, wood floor drying equipment and other tools. Along with the proper apparatus, they have years of experience in carrying out the mitigation process. From a thorough cleanup of water from your property to the sanitizing of the place, a professional will do it all.

Assessment Of The Damage

The first thing a water damage restoration professional does is assess the damaged area and identify the cause of flood. Whether it's a burst in the water pipe or rain water blown inside by the wind, the reason has to be identified in order to prevent it from happening in the future. When the root of damage is determined, they assess the damaged property and decide on the services that will be required for the restoration. These services also have water detection equipment that assist in identifying the wet contents of the room.

Content Manipulation And Restoration

Many home items also need proper attention. These items include furniture, electronic items, books and many other things that are commonly found inside the house. Some or probably all of these materials can be affected by the flood. Content manipulation is often referred to moving of the contents that have been damaged by water. During the process, these contents are analyzed whether they can be salvaged or not. The ones that can be restored are dried, sanitized and deodorized whereas others are discarded. Sometimes the expenses of salvaging some items are estimated to exceed their current values, so it is preferred to discard them.

Mold Remediation

Removing the water and drying the property is not enough, the place needs to be dehumidified properly. Even small traces of moisture inside rooms will lead to the growth of molds in several places. When it comes to mold remediation, professional decisions must be considered. The affected area needs to be treated with appropriate techniques and adequate tools which can only be carried out by professionals. Exposure to the mold causes health hazards to the occupants, so it should be taken care of immediately. From preventing the mildew growth to the restoration of the property, you should call in the water damage restoration services that carry out the procedure focusing on safety standards.

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Basics About Hiring Home Damage Restoration Company

By the time you're in the market for a home damage restoration company, chances are pretty good that the worst has already happened, and you're now looking for the best way to cope with the disaster and salvage as much as you can of your house and personal possessions.

These companies are often your first call after your home has been damaged by flood, hurricane, tornado, fire, or smoke. In most cases, the quicker you're able to get someone out to survey the damage, the better the chances that your house will be more easily and successfully restored to its former condition.

After an accident or another tragic event, most people are in a state of shock and have no idea how best to even begin coping with the destruction left in the wake of the tragedy. A reputable home restoration company is not just out to make a profit from your family's misfortune, and should always be there, fighting for your interests.

Quality service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is able to get to the scene of the damage fairly quickly. Once there, the company will take photographs and speak to you about the best course of repair. They'll advise you what needs to be done, how quickly it needs to be done, and how much the restoration is going to cost you.

Since it's not only the fact of the devastation to a family's home that causes anxiety and a sense of loss but the stress of figuring out how to pay for the repairs, a restoring company will work with you to file your insurance claim and get it approved quickly. The specialists who work for the company see loss and damage every day, and they have experience working with the system to help get their clients the results they need, figuring out how best to cope with the difficulties in the meantime.

Although most people don't have the time or presence of mind to shop around for a home restoration company in the wake of major damage, it's important to remember that all companies are not created equally.

Choosing one that is a preferred vendor, works with virtually all insurance companies, offers a payment plan, and has all the relevant industry certifications is essential for success. If you're a homeowner, your best bet is to do your research and choose a restoration company you'd trust if the worst should ever happen. Hopefully, it's a call you never need to make, but if you do, you're prepared and able to start rebuilding from the first moment.

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Happy Holidays!

May the holiday season end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Restoration Contractors - How to Choose the Right Restoration Contractor

Restoration Contractors are specialists in the repair of buildings damaged by perils such as fire, windstorm, flood, water damage, hurricane and tornadoes. They are also specialists in the repair and cleaning of personal property from homes and businesses.

These kinds of cleaning processes and repairs require specialized equipment and knowledge that a normal General Contractor will not have. In addition, the restoration contractor uses estimating software that is acceptable to the insurance companies in the calculation of the repair estimate.

Many times, a claims adjuster who represents the insurance company will bring his favorite contractor with him when he inspects your damages. This is not necessarily bad, but can easily become a conflict of interest for the contractor.

I recommend that you, the policyholder and owner of the property, find a restoration contractor of your own to write your damage repair estimate. Customarily, the contractor will write this estimate at no charge, hoping that he will get the repair job. But even if it cost you a couple hundred dollars for the estimate, it could mean the difference in thousands of dollars of repairs.

But, how does a policyholder with damages locate a reputable restoration contractor?

1. Using your computer search engine, look for "Restoration Contractor" or "Disaster Repair" and your zip code or state.

2. Note which contractors in your area are advertising on TV and radio in your area. A big advertiser is usually having some success. Some national companies, like Servpro, advertise heavily and will have offices nearby.

3. Ask friends and business associates for a referral.

Once you have located two or three contractors in your area, interview them with these questions:

1. How many years have you been a Restoration Contractor?

2. Do you have a specialty, like homes or commercial losses?

3. Can you provide a list of at least ten satisfied customers with phone numbers?

4. Do you have documentation of your success in insurance settlements?

5. Have you ever had a complaint filed against you with the Department of Insurance or the state Office of Consumer Affairs?

6. Please explain your fees and how you are paid.

7. Please provide a copy of your repair contract.

Based upon the information you glean from your interviews, you can make a choice of the best Personal Injury Attorney to consult.

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3 Insurance Rules After Disaster Hits Your Home

I. Avoiding Insurance Disaster.

It seems like whenever catastrophe strikes, insurance problems rear their ugly head. It might be your home isn't sufficiently covered to pay for repairing the damage. Or, you might be the victim of unfair adjusting practices, such as a carrier that would rather fight than pay its fair share.

In a disaster such fire, flood or earthquake, you might not even know who your insurance company is, since your policies and other important documents may well be cold ash or soggy trash.

If you suffer a disaster and have to make a claim on your insurance, keep these three principles in mind:

II. Get a Copy of Your Policy and read It.

Insurance always begins with a written contract. So, the first thing that needs to be done when getting ready to make a claim is to get a copy of every policy that might possibly provide coverage for your damaged property and read them all from front to back.

If you don't have the policy forms because they were lost, destroyed or are otherwise unavailable, you'll have to get policy reconstructions from the insurance company. Requests can be made to your agent or directly to the insurance company's policy services department. If you don't remember who your insurance company is, you'll need to do a little detective work. Start with your checking account. A review of your banking records may well lead you to every insurer that might provide coverage for the damaged property.

III. Check your coverages.

Your insurance policy provides coverage for certain types of loss, and excludes coverage for others. That's why it's important to get a copy of the contract right at the beginning.

One issue that frequently arises following a catastrophic loss is the damaged property was not adequately insured in the first place. Where an agent or broker provided you with professional advice on the appropriate coverage or bound coverage based upon their own professional expertise, there may be a claim for professional negligence where the property isn't properly protected.

IV. Watch out for Time Limits

Property insurance contracts generally have their own time limits, called "statute of limitations," built in, and the period in which to file suit to enforce the contract is generally less than the period that applies to a plain vanilla written contract.

When in doubt, consult a legal professional about what time limits will apply to your claim. Be proactive. Once you have loss, there is a clock ticking somewhere that might limit your ability to recover policy benefits.

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Tips on Hiring a Contractor After a Flood Disaster

What type of contractor do I need to repair my flooded home?

If your home has been damaged by a flood, you may need to hire the services of professionals to mitigate the damages, handle any damaged personal property, or perform repairs. Typically, contractors who specialize in flood mitigation and repair are most familiar with the techniques and processes that this type of work requires. Contractors who specialize in flood damage remediation or "flood restoration contractors" understand the proper procedures necessary to restore and/or dry out a home or building and its contents. Some of the specialized equipment they may include: truck mounted and portable vacuums or water extractors, high-velocity air movers, dehumidifiers, and moisture meters to monitor the drying process.

Residential home re-modelers or custom home builders may not have the experience that flood restoration contractors have in this field and may not have the expertise to properly mitigate the damage and/or prevent increased levels of microbial growth (mold). If mold becomes a concern, you may need to hire a certified industrial hygienist to test for mold and provide a restoration protocol or guidelines to mitigate any mold issues. Keep in mind that if you have insurance, your homeowners' insurance policy may have very little or no coverage for mold remediation, so contact your insurance company to find out if you have coverage and what your limits are. Mold remediation can be very expensive!

Usually, after a flood, the restoration process will have three main components:

1. The first is the structural drying phase. This is where the water and moisture are removed along with any materials that cannot be saved such as warped or damaged flooring, baseboard, wet drywall, etc.
2. The second component is the handling of any personal property. This may entail packing up all of the contents of the home including clothing, furniture, or other items and storing and/or restoring them offsite until the structural repairs are completed. This phase also may require the creation of an inventory to document or list any personal property that may have been damaged beyond repair and that needs to be replaced.
3. The third phase in the restoration project is the structural repair. This entails the restoration of building elements that need to be repaired or replaced, including insulation, drywall, baseboards, cabinetry, flooring, painting, etc. In some cases, a single restoration contractor may offer to perform all three phases or you may want to choose one company to handle the drying while other companies handle the contents and structural repair.

Before you sign a contract for flood remediation services, consider the following:
 

• Read every word of the contract and be sure you understand the terms and conditions.
• Review any fee schedule that details what the charges will be for labor and equipment.
• Get an estimate of what the drying process may cost before any work begins. Any costs or charges that your insurance company does not cover or pay for, you may be held personally responsible to pay.
• Obtain copies of certificates of general liability and workers compensation insurance and be sure the policies are current and in force.
• Obtain copies of any Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) if the contractor intends to use any chemicals, anti-microbial agents, or other substances in your home that could cause adverse health effects.
• Check references and affiliations with trade organizations and the Better Business Bureau.
• Photograph and document your home, its contents, and the extent of any damages prior to anything being done or moved.

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Water Damage Clean Up - Not Just From Storms

When most people think of water damage in a home or business, scenes of area-wide flooding showing continuously on 24-hour news channels is likely to come to mind. But actually, a small percentage of water damage losses are related to storms or flooding.

It's true that these losses get more publicity because they happen in bunches and tend to be more severe, but it is much more likely that if you suffer a water damage loss it will be from a plumbing problem. That's the good news, because there is nothing you can do to prevent storms, and little you can do to prevent storm damage, but there are things you can do to prevent water damage from plumbing problems.

Water Damage from Plumbing Mishaps

The most severe incidents usually occur in a home or business when there is a water line break and no one is there. This is a common occurrence at businesses, where a broken water supply line can spew out water all night or all weekend before it is discovered. The culprits include: blown fittings on water heaters located above the office areas; automatic coffee machines that malfunction and continue filling and overflowing the pot all night; broken lines to a sink, toilet, or ice maker; malfunctioning fire sprinkler systems; and even water main breaks in the ceiling.

In homes, similar problems with supply lines are common, but other common occurrences in are: the hot or cold water hose to the washing machine rupturing; dishwashers and washing machines continuing to fill and overflow when the float ball malfunctions; toilets that are flushed, stop up and continue to run; and bathtubs that are being filled and are forgotten.

Preventive Measures

As you can see from all of these examples, the easiest thing you can do to limit or prevent water damage in your home or business is to turn off the main water line when you will be away for an extended time. Some of worst days for water damage losses are right after major holidays or popular vacation times when people are returning home. That's when they discover that water has been leaking for who knows how long, and when the damage is severe and the cleanup and repairs extensive. How long you are willing to be gone without turning off the water to your home or business depends on how big of a risk you are willing to take.

But even simpler and smaller steps than turning off the water main to your home can be taken to avoid common water damage situations. For instance, don't leave your home with the dishwasher or washing machine running, or with a toilet that hasn't stopped running. Also, if you are going to be gone for more than a day, at least turn off the hot and cold water to your washing machine. That in itself will eliminate a common cause of water damage.

And one last thing, if the water service to your home is ever interrupted, make sure to turn off every faucet and shower that was on when the water went off. Severe water damage can occur when faucets and showers are inadvertently left on and the water service is restored while the homeowner is gone. So you can see that many water damage losses, and the grief that goes with them, are very preventable if you are willing to take a few simple precautions.

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Christmas Tree Fire: Watered Tree vs. Dry Tree

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 200 home fires each year start with a Christmas tree. In this video, NIST fire researchers demonstrate what could happen if a fire starts in a watered Christmas tree vs. a dry Christmas tree.

Fire Damage Cleanup - 4 Reasons the Professionals Should Handle It

Fire damage cleanup is never an easy job to get completed and a lot of people like to attempt it themselves. This shouldn't be done if you don't know how to do it right, but instead should be left up to the professionals that know what they are doing.

There are many reasons why cleanup should be left to the professionals. Knowing what the reasons are will allow you to see why the professionals are the ones that should do the cleanup.

Here are the main reasons you must understand.

One: Fire cleanup can be dangerous - Most people don't realize that after the fire has been put out, there is still danger in your home. Most times the fire will cause damage you can see, but it can also cause damage that you can't see.

This could include foundation damage to your house. If you make one wrong step in your home without understanding the remaining dangers, then you can end up with your home falling down and you getting hurt or worse.

The professionals know what danger and damage signs to look for because they have experience with cleaning up after fires. They also know how to avoid the fumes and smoke that linger in your home after a fire that you may not know to avoid.

Two: Run the risk of causing further damage - If you are inexperienced with fire cleanup, then you have a very real risk of causing further damage. This can do you and your home more harm than good.

The professionals have the knowledge to prevent further damage and will get the job done right in a timely manner so you can resume your life as quickly as you can.

Three: Physical and emotional instability - Fire in your house can be very physically and emotionally hard for anyone to deal with.

Cleanup on your own house and belongings is more than some people can handle because it is very hard to deal with the mess left behind.

You can easily avoid this by letting the professionals handle the cleanup for you. They will do the job right so that the fire can be become a part of your past as fast as possible.

Four: The professionals have the equipment to restore your property instead of having to replace everything. This will allow you to save some money and make sure that any traces from the fire are gotten rid of.

Now that you understand why fire damage cleanup is best left to the professionals, you need to decide for yourself if this is the right thing for your cleanup. Just remember that anyone that doesn't have experience with this will have to learn how to do it before it can be done, so if you want it done right and without delay, then hire the professionals for it.

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What To Do When Catastrophic Flooding Strikes

IICRC First Vice President Kevin Pearson, who lives and owns a business in the Houston-metro area, offers tips for home and business owners on what they can do immediately after experiencing a flood.