Water damage is a leading cause of home insurance claims. Water wreaks havoc on your personal belongings and property. Leaky roofs, leaky pipes, burst pipes, missing shingles, water heaters, blocked drains, sewer back-ups, and natural disasters such as severe storms and floods cause the majority of this water damage in homeowners.
What are the essential steps to take before filing a claim with your insurance company?
Water Extraction and the Restoration Process
- Water Extraction
Before filing an insurance claim, make an appointment with a water damage restoration company. They will send you a water damage restoration technician to assist you with the extraction and restoration of the water. The water extraction process removes any standing water that could cause structural damage.
Before any minor repairs or structural damage assessments, standing water must be drained. The three types of water must be considered during the water removal process. Water in category two contains contaminants that can cause illness, while water in category three contains harmful agents.
You cannot extract water from fecal matter on your own. If the wrong people handle the water extraction, feces could pose a health risk. Professionals could confirm hoses to be used chemical or fecal matter come into with clean water. Water damage restoration companies should handle the extraction of chemical or fecal matter.
- Water Damage Restoration Process
The restoration process begins after the water has been removed. Leaks in the bathroom, mold growth, and fire sprinklers at work are some examples of property disasters that require professional water mitigation. Water mitigation is done prior to water damage restoration. Water damage restoration companies should be contacted because they will work with your insurance company to help you file a claim.
The water damage restoration technician has detectors that detect hoses that are causing leaks and broken pipes. They provide the following water damage restoration services:
- They have professional tools for water damage restoration, which includes removing standing water from wet areas and assisting in the drying process.
- Remediation of mold. They keep mold from spreading from one room to the next. They have air scrubbers, which are critical because they filter mold spores in the air.
- Removal of drywalls, wall hangings, and floorboards to prevent mold growth and speed up the drying process. Structural repairs like ceiling repairs and plumbing problems such as burst pipes and broken pipes.
- They provide standing water cleanup in wet areas as well as water damage prevention. They have moisture detection machines. They provide sewer backup and clean-up services, as well as resolve minor issues that could lead to major damage in the future.
Floods and severe storms are natural disasters that are difficult to control. Yard grading could help reduce flood damage in flood-prone areas. Improved yard grading will help prevent flood damage in flood-prone areas.
Damage Restoration and Water Damage Restoration Cost
Water damage restoration costs are included in a restoration plan. The cost of water removal and restoration of the affected area is included in the cost of damage restoration. Both water extraction and water damage restoration will cost a significant amount of money.
The cost of restoration is determined by the flooring type, material, type of water, and extent of the damage. The higher the restoration cost per square foot, the more expensive the flooring types. The cost per square foot depends on the water type and the length of the impact on the affected areas.
A monthly inspection of plumbing fixtures would help to reduce water damage caused by a plumbing issue.
Wet spots in your yard could cause flooding. Aerating your lawn reduces wet spots by allowing water to move more quickly through the soil. If you are unable to control the leaks on your own, you must contact a plumber who will respond quickly. Depending on the severity of the situation, you may be required to pay for additional emergency services.
A Guide to Filing a Property Damage Claim
- Take photos of any damaged property and the affected areas
During the restoration process, the water damage restoration team will assist you with this. Take photos of any of your personal belongings that need to be cleaned or replaced. When an object becomes wet due to water damage, it is considered a loss.
Professional cleaning should be performed if mold has spread to your personal belongings, drawers, or closets. You are entitled to reimbursement for the costs incurred in repairing water damage. The appliance that caused the water damage is usually not covered by insurance.
- Schedule a meeting with your adjuster
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to your home as soon as possible to inspect appliances and assess the damage. He will keep track of the money you spent to repair water damage and the cost of repairing appliances. He also wants to know who is to blame for the water damage.
- You need to understand replacement cost versus loss settlement
Depending on the size of your claim, the adjuster will estimate the cost of the repairs and issue a check. You must be prepared because the settlement may be slightly lower. Unless your insurance policy specifies a replacement cost value, the estimate will most likely be based on the actual value.
- Meet up with several local contractors
After the water has been extracted, it is time to repair the water damage in the affected areas. You will not be told who to use by your insurance company. You must compare the quotes to the final settlement. Meeting with multiple contractors will help estimate if the settlement is low, and it will also demonstrate that more than one professional agrees.
- Negotiate on the repair settlement and be prepared if they do not renew the policy
Be open and honest with your adjuster about your home’s repair goals. You can’t expect your insurance company to pay for home improvements. If you want an update, you can pay for it yourself. Most homeowners do not want to return to the same designs after water damage. The insurance company may choose not to renew your policy after the claim.
Are You in Need of Water Damage Restoration Services in Fremont, CA?
Before contacting Fremont, CA, restoration services, there are several factors to consider. Water damage restoration services are provided by One Call Services. One Call Services has offices in Fremont, California. You can contact us at (408) 716-2379 or email us at estimate@one-call-services.com.
In Fremont, CA, One Call Services provides water restoration services such as flood damage, mold remediation, fire restoration, sewage backup clean-ups, and water damage. Visit our One Call Service office in San Jose Fremont, CA, for more information. A San Jose water damage restoration technician will work on both the water damage and the structural repairs that you require.
