Top Reasons for Calling in a Storm Damage Specialist
February 26, 2010
Well the worst is over. The storm has come and gone and now it’s time to deal with the storm damage. Think it’s possible to deal with it alone? Sure, if the damage is minimal and there’s just a few small branches to clear out of the front yard. People often try to do the cleaning up operations on their own, mostly to save money. Some may not want complete strangers trampling through their private belongings. Many realize this is a mistake after they’ve already spent a lot of money, and they end up having to hire a storm damage specialist anyway. There are many reasons why this should be done up front.
Assessment:
Storm damage often consists of a lot of other types of damage, including the effects of water getting into the home. This can affect the foundation of the building as well as lead to black mold growing in the nooks and crannies. People often go with the most obvious repairs but neglect little things that they might not know much about or fail to notice. A storm damage specialist knows what to look for when dealing with a restoration project. They are better able to judge what needs to be tackled first.
Moisture Removal:
Storms can lead to water entering the home through leaking or broken windows or through the backing up of drainage systems. Small amounts of water can be mopped up but large scale flooding might have to be pumped out. Even after this, one will be dealing with a significant amount of water damage. Items such as carpets might need to be removed and replaced. The whole area will need to be properly dried. Storm damage specialists have the necessary equipment to do this in the shortest possible time.
Sanitation:
It’s a sad and somewhat stomach turning fact that storm damage often includes backed up sewer lines. This is one of the reasons why one shouldn’t venture into a flooded home to start cleaning up. Not only can this cause skin irritations but such water can carry a host of diseases. Storm damage specialists are often trained to deal with septic systems and can disinfect the home so that it’s safe for the homeowner to take residence again.
It may seem like a pain to have to hire someone to do things that one is sure can be done by oneself, but why take the chance on making things worse? A reputable storm damage specialist has the expertise and skill to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Proper Assessment of Fire Damage
February 23, 2010
Once the initial horror of dealing with a house fire has passed, it’s time to assess the fire damage. This is important because it’s needed by the insurance company so that they can evaluate one’s claim and determine how much one is going to be compensated. In most cases they will send out an agent to do the assessment but sometimes the burden falls on the homeowner. There are two choices: have it done by a professional or do it oneself. If one chooses the latter, there are some specific things to look out for.
Structural Damage:
Start by inspecting the outside of the home. Visually document any damage seen, from collapsed parts of the roof to simple wall staining. This will help in figuring out exactly what repair work has to be done. Once it is safe to enter the building, make a check of the interior for:
• Roof damage
• Burnt insulation
• Burnt vents or ducts
• Foundation damage in basements
• Cracking of bathtubs and toilets
Assessing Personal Items:
In order to properly assess what personal items were affected by the fire one must first have a clear idea of one’s valuable possessions. Some people make a list and keep it ready just in case. This is an option but make sure it’s kept in secure place, such as a fire safe, along with any relevant receipts. One might have to prove ownership. It is important to be as thorough as possible when detailing fire damage. It’s a good idea to take pictures of items which may need to be discarded for safety reasons.
End of Assessment:
Assessing fire damage isn’t done only for one’s personal benefit. It’s also done for the insurance company. They must have an idea of what was lost in order to provide adequate coverage. Forward the results of the assessment to the insurance agent as soon as it is completed so the processing of one’s claim can move forward swiftly.
Of course, the majority of homeowners have never been through a fire and are therefore not really qualified to make a proper assessment of the fire damage. There are many things which might be missed, especially when it comes to the structure of the home. This is vital since repairs made over an unstable foundation will ultimately fail. It is best to assess the fire damage along with a trained restoration specialist. They will be better able to catalogue structural weaknesses while one goes through personal effects.
Water Damage and The Types of Insurance Coverage
February 19, 2010
Mother Nature’s wrath is often very unpredictable. Often times following a heavy rainstorm, fast rising flood waters can ensue and when out of control-severe flooding can occur in homes in the affected area. Being a victim of faulty plumbing can also cause excessive amounts of water to enter your home-leaving behind a huge mess. Having your home damaged by excessive water is always very stressful and upsetting. You need to know what to do and doing it quickly can save you many problems in the future.
The first thing of course is to be sure your family is safe. Next you should do what you can to prevent further damage to your home and belongings as this will become more important later when you are settling things with your insurer. It is important that you call your insurance company quickly after water damage so that the claim process can begin. Starting with that first phone call, be sure to jot down everything. Keep a record of who it was you spoke to and what they said. These notes can come in very handy later if a conflict arises. The insurance adjustor should get in touch with you quickly after you made the first call. The adjustor is the person who will be working closely with you so again, be sure to record what was said for future reference.
There are basically two types of insurance policies that are designed for protecting homeowners against water damage-flood insurance and homeowners insurance. It is important they you know the difference so that you can ensure that your home is adequately covered. Flood insurance provides coverage for the damage caused by a flood-up to the stated policy limit. For the most part, water damage caused by water that has been on the ground before entering your home is considered flood damage. When a river overflows its banks and rushes into your home, or when a heavy rain has not been absorbed quickly enough by the ground and water enters your home-these are both examples of flood damage. You must have flood insurance for this type of damage because general homeowners insurance does not provide coverage for flood damage.
Your homeowners insurance will cover water damage if the damage is done to your house before the water comes into contact with the ground. For example, if a thunderstorm occurs and a falling tree branch breaks a window on your home, allowing heavy rain to enter your home, you will be covered under your homeowners policy. You will also be covered under your homeowners policy if a broken water pipe spills water into your home or if a hard rain soaks through your roof, causing water to seep into your attic or ceiling. It is important that you understand the differences between the two types of insurance coverage so that you can be compensated fully.
Fire damage can create significant property damage
February 17, 2010
Dealing with Fire Damage
Fires can be a thing of great beauty, or they can be one of the most destructive forces in the natural world. It consumes everything and few things can cause such devastating losses as fire damage. Industrial fires tend to get more coverage because they are uncommon, and some can be quite huge, but home fires happen at an all too alarming rate. Anything can cause a fire:
• Malfunctioning appliances or electrical equipment
• Unattended fireplaces
• Forgetting the stove, or the iron, on
• Children playing with matches
• Dropping a cigarette on the carpet
The list is practically endless and while it pays to be aware, don’t allow that vigilance to lead to a false sense of security. Every home should have smoke detectors properly installed and monitored regularly. An escape route should be outlined and practiced in advance. While this can lessen the fire damage in terms of loss of lives, there is often no way of saving all of one’s treasured possessions.
If this happens it can be very difficult to keep functioning and know what to do. Hopefully one is in possession of fire damage insurance. Call the insurance company and let them know what has happened. It may take some time before one’s case is settled though since the insurance company will want to know:
Cause:
Arson is a big deal and every insurance company will want to ensure that the homeowner didn’t destroy their own house for money. They can only know this when the Fire Department has released its findings.
Value:
Homeowners typically have the option of insuring not only the house but valuable possessions within it as well. It is important that a list of items be presented to the insurance company as soon as possible, but don’t rush over it and end up forgetting things.
Repairs:
Scams exist everywhere and it is not inconceivable that a restoration company could be convinced to enhance an estimate for a cut in the profits. As such, most insurance companies have an approved list of contractors that they have found to be reputable. One will need to inform them of their proposed choice so that it can be compared to that list.
It makes sense to take the time to look for a good home restoration company, even though the temptation might be to rush things. There will be a lot of areas which need to be examined, from the electrical wiring to the structure of the home. Walls may have to be re-done. Even furniture will need to be cleaned. It’s a great deal of work but a reliable restoration service can help get things back to normal as soon as possible
Homeowners should respond quickly to unexpected floods
February 9, 2010
Homeowners who have had their homes damaged by flood waters know all too well the extensive damage that is left behind. Dealing with the aftermath of a flood is nothing short of devastating. Flood damage occurs regularly all across the United States and can be a result of faulty pipes, clogged drains, malfunctioning appliances as well as inclement weather such as heavy rainstorms and hurricanes. No matter what has caused the flooding, the prospect for restoration depends on how fast the property can be cleaned up and dried.
Cleaning up after a flood and removing flood water is very difficult and extremely time consuming. You should be sure to contact your insurance company as soon as you discover the water damage to your property. If you have coverage for flood damage, then great! Your insurance company could have a cleanup company that they work with or they may be able to recommend one to you. It is very important to be safe after suffering water damage. Be sure that the electricity is turned off at the source as soon as you have discovered the flood.
It is imperative that the flood water be cleaned up as quickly as possible so that mildew and mold do not begin to grow. Most cleanup companies arrive within a few short hours of being called but while you are waiting for professional help, you can begin the cleanup by removing furniture and other small items from the area. If you have a pump available, then start pumping out any standing water while you wait. Flood cleanup companies use powerful wet vacuums that suck water out of buildings as well as use large dehumidifiers and driers to ensure the area becomes thoroughly dried after the water has been removed. If there is wet carpeting on the floor that covers hardwood flooring, it is recommended to remove the carpeting so that the floors can be completely dried.
Water damage poses health hazards that can be particularly harmful to people with asthma or other breathing difficulties. It also damages furniture, stains floors and walls and often results in foul odors. If furniture has become water damaged, it is very important that it be cleaned appropriately and then allowed to dry. Discard any furniture that cannot be salvaged. Remember that water seeps and it can very easily become trapped behind baseboards and walls which will inevitably lead to mildew and mold growth
