Water Damage Restoration MI
A home or business overwhelmed with water can be very devastating and can cause major hardship to a family or business just as much as a fire. Water damage can be caused by many factors. Anything in your home or business that has a water supply can cause unbelievable damage in a very short period of time if not caught quickly. When a water loss in your home is not dried properly and quickly or not taken seriously, bigger problems will occur and damage can literally grow in the form of bacteria and then into mold.
However, just like any difficult time there is a way to handle the hardship to minimize the difficulties going forward. Making the right decisions on hiring your contractors and understanding the process at this point is mission critical and will dictate the process going forward. The following steps can assist you in making the right moves from the start of a water loss. Please understand that every situation is different and will require special instructions based on your personal situation.
First things first…
1. Secure an emergency services contractor – A work authorization will need to be signed for emergency services. This is a standard requirement that all contractors will need to have to start work on your project and adjustors will ask for it in order for the contractor to be considered an agent for the homeowner.
- Stop the leak!! - No matter the water loss shut water off at the main water meter of the home first to stop the leak.
- Call a plumber – Have the problem determined and repaired as soon as possible, and save the broken parts for the insurance adjustor.
TYPES OF WATER
Fresh water – Comes from a source of fresh water pipes in the home or business
Grey water – Comes from a storm water or backup from a sump pump
Black water – Sewer backup and can be very dangerous, stay away from the water
Note: If fresh or grey water has been sitting for more than 72 hours Bacteria will start to grow and it will be considered black water. And will need to be treated as a sewer water.
TYPES OF WATER LOSSES
Broken pipes – This type of loss is typically covered under your whole house policy Check with your insurance agent and read your insurance policy for correct wording and coverage.
Back-up – This type of loss is covered under a back up policy which is usually limited in dollar amounts, this type occurs when water from your sewer or sump pump backs up into your home or business. Check with your insurance agent and read your insurance policy for insurance correct wording and coverage.
Roof leak – If your roof leaks from damage caused by ice dams or storms. Check with your insurance agent and read your insurance policy for correct wording and coverage.
2. Make a claim – If you have a relationship with your insurance agent contact them first if during business hours. If no relationship exists or after hours call the 800 number from your insurance policy and make a claim to obtain a claim number.
3. Hire an emergency services water mitigation company – Another work authorization will need to be signed for content, electronic and dry cleaning services if the contractor is different from above. It is not uncommon to have one company hire multiple subcontractors to handle the contents, electronic and dry cleaning services.
- It is imperative to have a water mitigation company out to the home or business within a few hours of the loss. If you have any personal items that were affected by the loss move them out of the water to prevent further damage. Only touch items if water is fresh or grey. Do not attempt to move items from black water losses. You run the risk of getting sick from the bacteria in the water.
4. Insurance Adjustor will be assigned to your water loss within 24hrs of making a claim - depending on the size of the loss you may meet multiple insurance adjustors in the process. Typically you will have an adjustor for the structure, another for contents, and another for loss of business. Many insurance companies may invite a contractor they have used in the past if you do not have a company secured. It is YOUR CHOICE who you decide to handle your contents or rebuild of your home or business.
5. If necessary, secure content, electronic and dry cleaning mitigation specialists - Another work authorization will need to be signed for content, electronic and dry cleaning services if the contractor is different from above. It is not uncommon to have one company hire multiple subcontractors to handle the contents, electronic and dry cleaning services.
- All contents i.e. furniture, appliances, electronics and household items, food, clothing and anything not attached to the home is considered a content. A typical insurance policy contains a section and a dollar amount for contents aside from your structure amount.
- At this point the level of severity will determine next steps with the adjustor and the contractor, all contents will either need to be cleaned on or offsite, electronics and appliances cleaned on or offsite. Clothing will always be cleaned off site and emergency clothes can be cleaned and returned within 24hrs.
- If it is necessary for contents, electronics and appliances to be stored off site the contents contractor will be required to make a complete inventory of items that will be boxed, cleaned and stored, THIS MEANS EVERY SINGLE ITEM. This can be a large undertaking and can be very overwhelming. All questions are good questions at this point and should be asked of your contractor.
6. If necessary, secure a building contractor to make repairs - Another work authorization will need to be signed for reconstruction services if the contractor is different from above. It is not uncommon to have two different companies handle the contents and rebuilding.
- It is suggested at this point that an insurance restoration contractor who has the experience of mitigating a water loss is hired. Many mistakes have been made at this point and contractors have been hired with no experience to remove wet drywall, plaster, insulation. IF NOT MITIGATED AND DRIED CORRECTLY YOU COULD RUN THE RISK OF BAD SMELLS IN YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS AND A FORM OF BACTERIA COULD BE GROWING IN WALLS AND FLOORS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
- During the time it takes to determine the loss of contents and pack out of contents. Your building contractor will have been working with your adjustor to determine items that will be replaced during reconstruction. It is not uncommon for the contractor and the adjustor to each write their own scope of work for the reconstruction.
- Once the scope of work is determined each estimate will be reviewed and agreed upon with the owner, contractor and the adjustor and work will then commence.
There are many things to consider and many more steps to the process at this point. Hiring the right company can make this difficult situation a smooth and seamless process with no hassles.
ConstrucTeam is the company that can provide all these services rolled into one and will get you back in your home quickly or back in business with minimum disruption.
If during business hours, contact our Control Center Manager at 866-372-1272. If after business hours, push the emergency button and our Director of Response will IMMEDIATELY contact you within minutes.