The Basics of a Water Damage Claim: Burst Pipes and Paperwork
An insurance claim, especially for burst pipes, is often a dreaded piece of paperwork, not only for the damage it represents but for the somewhat mysterious process involved. The basics have been broken down for you below to help demystify the process.
1. Request and Submit Claim Forms
After broken pipes cause a flood, call your insurance provider immediately and request any claim forms. During your initial conversation, it is appropriate to ask any coverage questions you may have. Understanding your policy now will mean fewer errors on the forms later and less likelihood of your form’s rejection after submission.
2. Mitigate Further Damage
While the insurance claim process can take several weeks to complete, you do not have to allow your home to sustain further damage. In fact, most insurers require homeowners take mitigative action to reduce the risk of continued loss. Therefore, you should remove excess water, board up any broken windows, shut off problematic water lines and clean out the affected areas.
3. Itemize Damages and Losses
After making a claim, your insurance company may send out an adjuster to assess the extent of the damage and any potential liabilities. You can make this process more efficient by itemizing any structural damages and property losses. Additionally, an adjuster may want a record of any acquired expenses because of the pipe burst damage, such as cleanup and mitigation costs. Keep Receipts for cleaning materials and pictures of losses as proof.
4. Ask Questions and Seek Assistance
While your insurance company can offer you the most significant insight into your coverage, you may want to search the Polk County, FL, area for a restoration specialist who can answer your mitigation concerns. Mitigation professionals have the expertise to either help you understand the process or to complete the cleanup process for you. As most insurance companies prefer you work with a professional, it may be beneficial to secure several cleanup bids to show the adjuster when they come.
The insurance claim process may seem a bit daunting, but it really comes down to paperwork, mitigation, itemization and cleanup. The process, while intimidating, is manageable when you understand the basics above.
When Performing Water Damage Repairs In Your Fullerton Home, Think Restoration
When your toilet overflows, you have a leaky roof, or a plumbing problem in any other area of your home, do you think of a restoration company first? The answer is more than likely no. You probably think of whoever does your maintenance, in most cases, you.
You may believe that performing water damage repairs on your Fort Lauderdale home might save some money. However, in most cases, the majority of homeowners cause far more damage than they set out to fix. Everyone should keep in mind that having a woodshop course in school, or two years as an apprentice carpenter, does not make you a professional repair person.
Take the first example under consideration. A toilet overflow causes water to penetrate every corner of your bathroom. Water can seep into cracks in your walls, under your flooring, beneath plumbing fixtures, and even extend out into your hallway. You might mop the water out, dry carpeting in the hall, and toss towels used to clean the mess up right into your washing machine.
Leaving out the multitude of biohazards that you and your family just became exposed to, there are some things you forgot to address that could become a huge problem down the road. Water getting underneath your flooring is huge. The flooring, as well as the subfloor, need to be checked for moisture. Even a small amount can allow mold to grow or rot to set in places that you cannot see.
Water Damage Restoration
With the right equipment at your disposal, you can overcome these problems easily. That is where SERVPRO comes into play. Our IICRC certified technicians use various equipment to help you discover how much water penetrated various surfaces, allowing you an opportunity to nip secondary damages in the bud.
The same thing goes with roof leaks or other plumbing problems that may develop throughout your home. SERVPRO has expertly trained technicians available at a moment's notice that help you prevent losses and continue to serve you as long as you need us. We have years of experience performing jobs of all sizes, everything from simple tasks to huge mistakes.
Contact SERVPRO of E. Fullerton Placentia for qualified professionals who understand how providing restoration services also includes the quality of our repairs. Just call (714) 525-0158.
How Can Fullerton Homeowners Eliminate Late-Night Flood Damage Quickly?
24/7 SERVPRO Flood Damage Cleanup Restores Fullerton Homes Faster
Ground floods can be stressful enough on their own. Still, it can be particularly distressing for Sarasota homeowners who need fast service outside of a typical 9-to-5, Monday through Friday schedule. A swift response to such emergencies is imperative for keeping home occupants and their belongings safe and intact.
SERVPRO’s commitment to 24/7 service, including weekends and holidays, ensures that there can be rapid flood damage cleanup for Sarasota homeowners that can start within hours of initial contact. Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) accredited technicians and staff will coordinate with you and your insurance adjuster to provide comprehensive services after disaster strikes.
Flood Damage Sanitation, Odor Control, and Debris Removal
Category 3–or “black water”–scenarios like groundwater flooding typically leave behind more than just contaminated water. Debris in the floodwater can include sharp objects, hazardous chemical, sewage, microbes, and contaminated solids. While the water typically subsides within several hours, the contaminated residues left behind require professional remediation to keep homeowners safe.
Late-night SERVPRO cleanup includes water/sewer extraction, cleaning, solid debris removal and microbial remediation. Unsafe materials are handled by technicians wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and debris is safely packed in plastic bags for disposal.
Ultra-low volume (ULV) fogging binds deodorizers to malodorous substances at the particle level to make them heavy enough to fall and be collected for safe removal.
EPA-registered biocides can be applied with a variety of systems, such as pumps, sprays, foggers, injection systems, and manual cleaning, which can also significantly reduce odor by mitigating odor-causing bacteria and fungi
The crew at SERVPRO of E. Fullerton Placentia is prepared to leave your home looking “Like it never even happened,” when property owners call (714) 525-0158.
How Can Bathroom Water Damage Impact a Fullerton Home?
Fullerton Homes Benefit from Professional Water Damage Inspection and Remediation
Fullerton homes face plenty of water damage risks, and not just from storms and flooding. Pipe leaks, old fittings, and damaged supply lines can all wreak havoc on a home’s structure and introduce mold that can potentially impact occupants’ health.
Water damage mitigation for Fullerton properties starts with a call to SERVPRO®. Highly trained restoration technicians, staff, and franchise owners all receive and can pursue self-paced education on water cleanup strategies, including carpet and upholstery restoration, structural drying, and odor control.
SERVPRO Water Damage Extraction for Salvageable Bathroom Drywall and Tile
Water-damaged sheetrock and tiles can be salvaged with a combination of sanitation, careful water removal with portable extraction units, and drying with commercial-grade axial air movers and low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers (LGR.)
Waterlogged, crumpled, moldy, or otherwise unsalvageable areas of drywall can be carefully cut away and replaced with new drywall during the build-back process.
Water restoration extraction may require temporary removal of baseboards to better access water-damaged walls, wall studs, and insulation on exterior walls
SERVPRO grout cleaner tackles water stains and microbial growth in porous tile grout. Meanwhile, extraction and drying can potentially mitigate swelling from moisture accumulation that can impact ceramic bathroom tiles
Extractors vacuum out excess moisture, a process that can be repeated multiple times in hard-to-reach areas to maximize structural drying efficiency
Restorative extraction and drying minimize repair and replacement costs incurred by water damage in bathrooms.
Call SERVPRO of E. Fullerton Placentia at (714) 525-0158 to determine what ensures that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.
Secondary damage is additional damage that occurs because of the original loss. A speedy response to the original damage, coupled with professional restoration practices, greatly limits, and may even eliminate, secondary damages from taking place.
Common Types of Secondary Damage
Additional secondary damages that may arise from this original water damage could include odor within the building, or worse yet, depending on the amount of time lapsed, serious structural damages, such as rotting of floors.
What does Secondary damage mean for you?
Secondary damages can have many implications: increased stress and worry, increased financial burden, more time needed for remediation and reconstruction work needed, and the list goes on. Taking care of an issue before additional damages develop is always the best plan of action when it comes to cleanup and restoration services. SERVPRO of Fullerton Placentia is here to help assist you with all your water damage needs.
Secondary damage is additional damage that occurs because of the original loss. A speedy response to the original damage, coupled with professional restoration practices, greatly limits, and may even eliminate, secondary damages from taking place.
Common Types of Secondary Damage
Additional secondary damages that may arise from this original water damage could include odor within the building, or worse yet, depending on the amount of time lapsed, serious structural damages, such as rotting of floors.
What does Secondary damage mean for you?
Secondary damages can have many implications: increased stress and worry, increased financial burden, more time needed for remediation and reconstruction work needed, and the list goes on. Taking care of an issue before additional damages develop is always the best plan of action when it comes to cleanup and restoration services. SERVPRO of Fullerton Placentia is here to help assist you with all your water damage needs.
If your home or business experiences a flood you have experienced black water. Flood water is considered black water, which means you will need to call in experienced remediation specialists who understand the best practices for restoration to handle the cleanup. This is because black water poses a serious threat.
What is Black Water?
During a flood, sewers and toilets can overflow, pipes can burst and flood waters can pick up any number of contaminants as they flow through an area. This contamination with feces, urine and other dangerous pollutants are what make flood water black.
Why is it Dangerous?
Contaminated flood water carries dangerous bacteria that can cause humans and animals to become sick. This includes the flood water saturating possessions after the bulk of the flooding has receded, which is why you should not attempt your own water damage cleanup. Always contact a professional. SERVPRO of Fullerton/ Placentia has expertly trained technicians who can safely handle all your water needs in the event of disaster.
Three steps to take when you find Water in your Crawl Space
Unfortunately crawl spaces are often overlooked until it is too late. Why? Home and business owners often have trouble locating or entering a crawl space as it is only a few feet high and tough to get in and out of. These areas are usually located between the ground and the first floor.
Locate the source of the flooding- A wet crawl space can develop from many different things such as poor foundation of the building, malfunctioning gutters, ruptured water lines, and excessive subterranean water
Consult with Experts or Professionals- Ideally, you want to trust water damage experts that are experienced and trained. They should be able to look over your property and know exactly what to do to make it as good as new. SERVPRO of Fullerton can do just that!
Waterproof your Crawl Space- This provides peace of mind and a little bit of insurance in case of natural disaster. There are many waterproofing techniques ranging from applying a sealant to your home’s foundation to installing a sump pump.
Is It Possible to Save Furniture After A Flooding Incident?
SERVPRO Can Help You Make an Informed Decision Whether to Save Furniture after Flood Damage Affects Your Grovetown Home
Floods can affect house contents, such as furniture, in different ways. For instance, water can submerge items if the floodwaters are high enough. Water can also trickle from a high point, such as a window or an opening on the roof, leaving items wet. The possibility of saving such furniture may remain unclear until a qualified team such as SERVPRO inspects your Grovetown home.
What do restorers check to determine whether the furniture can be saved?
Deciding whether to save or dispose of furniture after flood damage occurs at your Grovetown home is only possible after considering:
How long items remain submerged
The composition of materials
The level of contamination
Aesthetic changes such as staining
The effects of flooding are generally destructive, but the actual damage level might depend on the timelines involved. Submersion that exceeds a day allows full saturation of the materials and the deterioration of materials since processes such as mold development can start in 24 hours. Saving items in such a case is rarely possible.
Why does the material matter?
Furniture items are made from a wide range of materials, including:
Fabrics or leather
Solid wood
Composites such as MDF or plywood
The type of material an item is made of determines its porosity, resilience, and how it reacts to soiling. Highly porous materials accumulate contaminants making restoration unsanitary. Most composites have minimal strength once exposed to water since the glues holding them together deteriorate in wet conditions. Solid wood fares better. SERVPRO technicians can help clean your solid wood furniture, dry it in a controlled environment, and apply remedial products such as cream with lanolin to eliminate traces of the damage "Like it never even happened."
How Do You Get Professional Help With Water Damage Restoration?
SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Specialists Professionally Restore Your Local Property.
Property owners in Orang County are familiar with water damage from flooding and other weather-related disasters. This intrusive type of water damage is stressful and frustrating. SERVPRO professionals are on hand 24 hours a day to respond quickly to any water disaster. They do everything from extracting water to professionally restoring your property.
What Happens When You Call Your Local Water Restoration Specialists?
Before SERVPRO certified technicians begin restoring your home, your team needs to rid you home of water. Your team accomplishes this quickly and efficiently with the following steps:
Ensure the water source is stopped.
Inspect and assess water damage with water detection equipment.
Remove water with pumps and extractors. They use professional extracting equipment to remove most of the water from your home.
Clean contaminated areas. If your water intrusion involves contaminated water, affected areas are decontaminated before drying.
Dry areas with high volume air movers and dehumidifiers. Air movers are placed strategically to blow air to walls, ceilings, carpets, and more. Dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air.
Clean and sanitize affected areas.
Your SERVPRO certified team will then begin the restoration process.
What Water Damage Restoration Services Does Your Local SERVPRO Provide?
Emergency services may be required to enable work on your home. These services include:
Pack-Out and Move-Out services
Providing temporary warehouse space
Covering open areas
Temporary fencing
Many repairs and services are done by your highly trained team. Some of these are:
Cleaning and restoring your furniture
Mold remediation
Drywall removal and installation
Hard flooring repair
Painting
Carpet and pad removal and installation
Your trusted restoration specialist also supervises extensive home repair and rebuilding.
The completed disaster-to-finished restoration service saves you time, money, and frustration. When your team finishes the job, your home looks and feels the way it did before your water intrusion happened. Act quickly to mitigate water damage and have your home professionally restored. Call SERVPRO of E. Fullerton/Placentia, 714-525-0158 when disaster strikes.
Dripping water can cause damage in Fullerton or Placentia
SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia has the answer for Property Owners faced with Water Damage. Water damage is one of the risks a homeowner faces when they buy a home. Indoor plumbing will likely fail at some point, and when it does, it makes for a wet mess. The experienced professionals at SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia can help you identify the source of the problem, correct it, and restore your home to a clean, dry condition. Rapid water extraction, after the source has been eliminated, and then moisture removal to reach standard household levels, will mitigate the dangers of contaminated water and mold growth. One of the first things that need to be determined when you have flooding caused by a plumbing failure is whether the water is clean, gray or black. These classifications indicate where the water is coming from and what sort of contaminants it may contain. Water damage occurs in many forms. Clean Water refers to water that is piped into your home. It has not yet been used for any household purpose, so it is clear and free of any hazardous substances. Drinking water. This water may be leaking from a burst pipe in the walls; it can also be the result of a failed pressure valve on your water heater tank, which allows the water to flood out. There is a large list of possible reasons for an unwanted water intrusion. Gray Water is more damaging. This is water that has flowed in sinks, showers, washing machines and all other plumbing including toilets tanks. Gray water does not contain harmful pathogens, but it does hold food waste, chemical products, and absorbed particulates from the surroundings that can harbor bacteria. Some soaps and other personal care products also contain ingredients that can be toxic if ingested. Black water is the most dangerous. It includes overflow water from a toilet, backed up septic tanks or sewer lines, and degraded gray water. This water contains hazardous bacteria that are linked with raw sewage. If you detect black water flooding, keep yourself and your family out of contact with the water. If you must enter the flooded area, you should wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and protect your feet with rubber boots or plastic bags. Call the professionals from SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia. Whenever your household plumbing fails, no matter what the source of the water is, we can help. Rapid and safe water removal from your property will mitigate health concerns, water damage to personal possessions, furnishings, and building materials. We can also save you money by repairing and restoring rather than replacing salvageable property. Our IICRC-certified and corporately trained technicians have the skills to return your Fullerton or Placentia water damaged home to preloss condition "Like it never even happened." We use advanced drying equipment and techniques. As leaders in the water damage industry, SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia has advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands-on experience. With pride, we service Orange and LA counties for all residential and commercial water damage. Call us 24/7 for help. SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia (714) 525-0158
5 Steps to Deal with a Flood in Your Fullerton Home
A supply line breaks to a washing machine or a pipe breaks to the water softener. There is standing water in the home or water in the business. What should be done?
Water damage is one of the most serious mishaps that can occur to a property. Water damage requires immediate, professional restoration efforts, in order to avoid permanent damage and potential loss of the property. Within the first 24 hours, water damage that is left to stand can seep into drywall, structural elements and carpeting, causing lasting damage.
Luckily, there are many professional restoration companies that make their living saving properties from water damage. In this article, we'll take a quick look at the restoration process and how property owners should handle a flood damage event, should one occur.
Because so much of the United States has always been built on rivers, near lakes and in areas that experience frequent, severe weather, the U.S. flood damage mitigation industry has developed to be one of the best in the world. Over 100 years of flood damage mitigation has yielded a set of procedures that have been established as the gold standard in flood damage mitigation. There is a five-step process that all but ensures that no lasting damage to the flooded home will occur.
1. It is imperative to understand that a flooded home is the real estate equivalent of a medical emergency. Time is the most crucial factor. The best possible move that a property owner could make is to call a professional restoration company immediately. The sooner a restoration company can arrive at the flooded home, the more likely mitigation efforts are to prevent any lasting damage. It would be useful to call SERVPRO of E.Fullerton / Placentia a certified IICRC professional.
2. Once the restoration company's team arrives, they will immediately begin surveying the extent of the water in the home or water in the business. This phase of the water cleanup process generally uses high-tech gadgets, such as hygrometers and infrared water detectors, to establish all of the places that may have been affected by water in the home or water in the business. If there is an active supply line break or a pipe break, the team will locate the fault and remediate it.
Once the extent of the water in the home or water in the business has been established and the location pinned down, the next phase of the water cleanup process can begin.
3. The next water cleanup phase involves the extraction of all standing water from the premises. Through the use of powerful, specialized pumps, the restoration company's team will be able to remove thousands of gallons per hour from the site. The water cleanup team will use sophisticated vacuum equipment to fully remove all standing water from the premises. At this point, the property may appear dry to the untrained eye. But this leads to the next step.
4. Now it will be time to begin the final drying of the property. The team will use high-power dryers and dehumidifiers, capable of removing thousands of pounds of water from material and the atmosphere every hour. Drying time may take as little as 30 minutes or as long as an entire day. Completely drying the property is absolutely crucial, as it avoids the formation of serious mold and mildew, and removes water from drywall and structural elements. When the drying process is complete, the home will no longer be at risk of sustaining further damage.
5. The final step is to chemically sanitize and cleanse the home to prevent mildew formation and eliminate smells.
When a pipe breaks or a supply line breaks, the most important thing you can do is to call in the pros. There's no reason to let a pipe break or a supply line break diminish or destroy the value of your home. Visit http://www.SERVPROfullertonplacentia.com for more information on water damage.
24 Hour Water Damage Specialist in Fullerton and Placentia
SERVPRO of Fullerton/Placentia provides 24 hour Emergency Water Damage Service.
WE ANSWER THE PHONE READY TO HELP.
CALL TODAY - 714-525-0158
We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Fullerton/Placentia has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.
What to Expect
When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.
Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:
Your name and contact information
Your insurance information (if applicable)
The street address of the water-damaged home or business
When did the flooding or water damage occur?
What caused the water damage (if known)?
Is there electricity available (on-site)?
About SERVPRO of Fullerton/Placentia
SERVPRO of Fullerton/Placentia specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Fast Action Required After a Water Loss in Fullerton
Water leaks can occur at any time in the kitchen, inside walls, the laundry room, and bathrooms. Sometimes it is an overflowing sink or bathtub, while in many situations, it is a defective joint somewhere in the plumbing system. The water pressure forces the joint apart, and hundreds of gallons of water pour out. Kitchen cabinets and granite countertops can present unique challenges.
SERVPRO provides water removal services in Fullertonand surrounding areas, responding any time of the day or night, usually within 4 hours of receiving a call for assistance. Our objective is to remove all of the water and moisture, to prevent the growth of mold infestations.
Saving Kitchen Cabinets and Granite Countertops
The homeowner wants everything to be as good as new, while the insurance company wants to honor the insurance commitment while managing the overall costs. SERVPRO has lots of experience in these water damage situations and has perfected methodologies to meet both objectives.
Water can seep under cabinets, making it necessary to gain access to cavities under the cabinets to remove moisture. In some cases, we drill holes, inconspicuously, to remove water and blow dry air into the cavity to absorb the moisture. Excessive water and dampness may require more significant action.
In these situations, SERVPRO removes all of the doors to the cabinets, the countertop, and the cabinet structure. There are many countertops utilizing granite and other types of stone, which are expensive and not easy to remove. In these cases, the entire cabinet and countertop may be raised several inches to provide access to the floor area underneath.
Once everything has been dried, the cabinets and countertop are lowered and reattached to the floor. We can reinstall the original cabinets along with the countertop and the doors. This approach significantly reduces the cost to the insurance company and decreases the time needed to return the home to the client with everything dried and repaired, "Like it never even happened."
Call SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia at (714) 525-0158 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Orange and Los Angeles Counties and surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.
The water heater may be the most overworked and under-appreciated piece of mechanical equipment in a house. We usually assume it’s doing its job as it should and leave it alone, unless it starts to makes weird and scary noises.
To help you avoid a potentially dangerous and expensive plumbing crisis, we’re looking at four frightening sounds your water heater can make and what they mean.
Popping Sounds
One of the most common sounds a water heater can make is popping. When that happens, it’s usually an indication that your water heater has an excess of mineral deposits and sediment at the bottom. This is especially problematic in areas that have hard water. Mineral deposits (mainly lime and calcium), sand, and any debris that might travel through the water supply can stick to the bottom of your water heater.
Eventually, the buildup of gunk at the bottom may trap water beneath the sediment. Think of a pot of water you have on the stove. If you’re not paying attention, and if the heat is too high, the water will boil, and it will continue to boil until it flows over the sides of the pot. In the case of your water heater, at some point, the pressure from the steam bubbles will cause the water tank to explode if your model is older.
The Solution
Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to this problem. The best way to prevent sediment from building up is to have the water heater flushed out to remove all of the mineral deposits and sediments.
Screeching Sounds
Screeching noises are sometimes indicative of water flow restriction. The most likely cause is the inlet control valve on the water heater. A partially closed valve will prevent water from flowing through the pipes.
The Solution
Easy: check the valve to make sure it’s open! If it’s halfway open, turn the valve so it’s now wide open. If that was the problem, the sizzling should stop.
Crackling Sounds
If you have a gas-powered water heater, it’s possible there’s condensation on the burner. Although the noise may be annoying, it is not a sign of anything wrong with your water heater. No action required, here.
Sizzling Sounds
If there is a leak in your water heater, that could cause a sizzling sound. The sizzle occurs when leaking water drips onto the burner. If you don’t have hot water, or if you see water on the floor around your water heater, it’s probably coming from a leak.
The Solution
Unfortunately, this fix isn’t as easy. A water leak isn’t going to repair itself. Besides the wasted water, you’re wasting energy because the water heater is heating water that no one can use.
Call SERVPRO of E. Fullerton/Placentia with any questions! 714-525-0158
If you have experienced a flood, you can file your flood insurance claim by following these three steps.
STEP ONE: NOTIFY YOUR INSURER TO START THE CLAIMS PROCESS
After experiencing a flood, contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. Make sure you have the following information handy:
The name of your insurance company
Your policy number
A telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times
An adjuster should contact you within a few days of filing your claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, you can contact your insurance agent or company again.
STEP TWO: DOCUMENT THE DAMAGE
Separate damaged from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.
Take photographs of all of the damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage, and standing floodwater levels.
Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value, and receipts, if possible.
Officials may require disposal of damaged items so, if possible, place flooded items outside of the home.
STEP THREE: COMPLETE A PROOF OF LOSS TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM
Your adjuster will assist you in preparing a Proof of Loss (which is your sworn statement of the amount you are claiming including necessary supporting documentation) for your official claim for damages. A Proof of Loss can be many things, but must contain the specific details set forth in the Standard Flood Insurance Policy. You'll need to file your Proof of Loss with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. This document substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or insurance company can make payment.
You'll receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate, and signed Proof of Loss. If major catastrophic flooding occurs, it may take longer to process claims and make payments because of the sheer number of claims submitted.
Flood Recovery: A Guide for Home Heating and Cooling Systems
Simply stated, your heating and cooling system was not designed to operate in or under water.
If your property was flooded, it is highly recommended that you have a qualified HVAC technician inspect your home’s heating and cooling system.
Should I start my HVAC system after a flood?
Appearances can be deceiving. Although your HVAC system might look the same as before the flood, there may be serious issues and concerns that are not obvious to the untrained eye.
Since the flood impacts are unknown, it is highly recommended that you do not start your HVAC system before a qualified HVAC technician performs a full inspection.
Should I repair or replace an HVAC system after a flood?
HVAC systems are designed and engineered to operate under certain conditions — underwater is not one of those conditions.
During flood recovery, every home’s circumstance and HVAC system requires a case-by-case professional assessment. A professional HVAC technician can make specific recommendations on your system’s particular circumstances.
Because so many heating and cooling components could be affected by flood water, it may be a better choice to replace your HVAC equipment. However, your local professional HVAC technician may suggest a repair if the flood damage was contained to an easy-to-replace component.
How a flood may impact my outdoor HVAC equipment
Split air conditioning and heat pump systems have a condenser coil and wires and piping between the indoor and outdoor parts of the system.
If the unit was running when flooding occurred, electrical components might be damaged. Fuses, wiring, and circuits may malfunction when contacted with water.
Floodwater is often a mixture of dirt, grime, and debris that may adhere to the condenser coil. If the condenser coil was exposed to flood waters, the equipment’s designed efficiency level might be severely reduced. A dirty, inefficient coil may also lead to premature failure given the extra effort required to heat or cool your home.
If flood water has moved your HVAC equipment, even a small amount, there is the potential for a breached refrigerant system. The heat pump (or air conditioning system) will most likely require major repair or full replacement.
How may a flood impact my indoor HVAC equipment?
If there is any question whether flood water has reached your indoor HVAC equipment, have the system checked by a professional HVAC technician.
Natural gas furnaces have valves and controls that may be vulnerable to water damage from floods. Damage may not be easy to detect, especially if the outside of the device is clean and dry. Corrosion may begin inside the valves, electrical components, and controls, which is not immediately apparent or visible. At a minimum, this type of damage can result in immediate operational and long-term reliability problems.
What about my ductwork?
If you have a forced-air HVAC system that has experienced flood damage, pay attention to your ductwork. Ductwork that has been in contact with flood water should not be salvaged. It is extremely difficult to decontaminate ductwork that has been exposed to flood water or other related conditions. It should be replaced. Doing a thorough job will require disassembling the ductwork. These ductwork repairs may also give your contractor the opportunity to seal ductwork joints and improve insulation.
What will a professional HVAC technician do after a flood?
After the flood waters have subsided, contact a local professional HVAC technical for an inspection. All inspection and replacement work on flooded equipment should be performed by a qualified heating and cooling technician, not by the homeowner.
Your HVAC technician may ask:
The depth of the water that flooded your property and/or home
How long the unit was under water
Whether the unit was running when the flooding occurred
Depending on the circumstances, your HVAC technician may:
Clean flood-residue from coils
Inspect the heating and cooling system electrical components
Check all electrical and refrigeration connections for both indoor and outdoor units, including all control circuits
Clean, dry, and disinfect the refrigerant system if it remained intact
Pinhole leaks occur when corrosion inside copper pipes finally breaks through to the outside of the pipe.
Many homeowners ask, “I thought copper was one of the most durable materials for pipes, how is it they can leak?”
It’s true: copper pipes are frequently used and preferred by plumbers because they’re generally resistant to corrosion and plumbers can easily shape them.
If that’s the case, how can copper pipes leak?
The #1 reason why copper pipes leak is due to turbulence. Turbulence enters your system in 2 ways:
Velocity: Plumbing code limits the velocity within your piping system to 8 fps (feet per second) for cold water and 5 fps for hot water. Limiting the velocity reduces the turbulence in the pipes that creates pinholes.
Fittings that are too close together: Fittings that are too close together increase turbulence, which causes pinhole leaks. When fittings are too close together, turbulence in the water flow increases, which means the water grates against the inside wall of the pipe causing it to leak.
Another reason why your copper pipes have leaks is what’s called pitted corrosion, an extremely localized type of corrosion that attacks small areas on the inside surface of copper pipes.
Well, there hasn’t been a conclusive study on what causes pitted corrosion, here are some possible theories:
High levels of chlorine in the water supply
Corrosion particles from rusted water heaters
High water pressure
High pH levels in the water
Other chemical factors in soil and water (microbial activity)
How do I know I have pinhole leaks?
If you notice any of the following signs, you may have pinhole leaks…
Your pipes look dimpled
The copper is starting to look weathered
Your water bills are more expensive
You hear dripping
You see water stains or discoloration on your walls
Your home has developed mold or mildew
Those are signs that point to already severe pinhole leaks. A plumber can inspect your piping to confirm you have pinhole leaks. However, because early signs of pinhole leaks are difficult to detect by the naked eye, the best way to check your copper pipes is by having annual plumbing maintenance by a certified plumber.
SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the expertise and equipment to quickly restore your property to pre-water damage condition. They use a scientific approach to water removal and water cleanup that emphasizes monitoring and documenting the drying process from beginning to end.
Have Water Damage? Call Today 1-877-460-9414
Every water damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. You can click on any of the steps below to learn more about that process.
Step 1 - Emergency Contact
When you call, our representative will guide you through several questions that will help the SERVPRO Franchise Professional respond to your water emergency more quickly and efficiently. This initial contact is an important part of a fast, effective restoration.
Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
They carefully inspect your property’s water damage, determining the type of water damage and the areas affected. This is a crucial step to creating an effective plan of action that will result in a successful restoration.
Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction
Typically, hundreds or thousands of gallons of water are removed using our powerful pumps and vacuums during the water removal process. The SERVPRO Franchise Professionals start this process as soon as possible to minimize further damage and to help prevent mold growth.
Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification
After the bulk of the water has been removed, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals use specialized equipment to target the water that’s harder to access. They use less intrusive, scientific drying methods to draw the remaining water and moisture from your property with air movers and dehumidifiers.
Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing
Water damage also affects your belongings, like furniture, clothing, and personal items. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can clean restorable items using a number of specialized cleaning techniques. They also sanitize with antimicrobial treatments and remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
Step 6 - Restoration
The last step is restoring your home or business back to its pre-water damage condition. The restoration step can be relatively minor, such as replacing a few drywall panels, or could include major reconstruction, such as rebuilding entire rooms of a home or business.
Catastrophic floods may grab all the headlines, but more common water damage from plumbing systems end up costing homeowners, renters, and landlords billions of dollars every year. Plumbing problems (including leaking or damaged tubs, toilets showers and burst pipes), leaky roofs, washing machines, water heaters and frozen pipes result in thousands of people of water damage insurance claims annually.
Even with an annual plumbing inspection, careful routine maintenance, and emergency planning, you can't be everywhere water might make an unannounced, unwelcome—and potentially very expensive—appearance.
That is were we come in. We make it like it never happened.... Just call us... 714-342-1774
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