After a flood or fire in your household, you must have a water damage assessment performed to figure out how badly your home is affected. The most prudent method to achieve this is to contact both a professional restoration company, as well as your homeowners’ insurance agent. They will send professionals to your home to determine a quote for the damages.
Based on the quote you’ll be provided with, it is probable that the pair of organizations can work as a team to reach a settlement amount, meaning your insurance will cover the majority of, if not all, the flood or fire restoration expenses.
Details of a Water Damage Assessment
Structural Water Damage Assessment
You should always ask a professional restoration organization to perform a water damage assessment, as their expertise, knowledge, and experience allows them to locate problems you might not be aware of, which could lead to additional damages to your household. Consider the following things a professional looks for during a structural damage assessment:
- Exterior windows and walls —cracked or broken windows, collapsed walls, signs of water intrusion through basement windows, and wet exterior walls or bricks.
- Roof—damaged or missing shingles, collapsed portions of your roof, damaged or cracked chimney, damaged or bent gutters, and cracked or stained exterior surfaces.
- Attic—cracked or wet walls/ceiling/floor, damaged or wet ducts and vents, and wet insulation.
- Back and front yard—damaged plants or flowers in flooded areas.
- Bathrooms—stained countertops and sinks, damaged bathtubs, and slumping or leaky ground around your toilet tanks.
- Rooms—cracked or wet walls/ceiling/floor, damaged or warped wood, sunk phone and electric jacks, and broken or cracked doors and windows.
- Basement (if applicable)—cracked or wet walls/foundation/floor and damaged or stained ductwork.
Water Damage Assessment – Personal Belongings
After examining the magnitude of the water damage to your household’s foundation, a professional restoration company will inspect your personal belongings to decide what will need to be replaced or repaired. The following list contains the primary items a professional will examine in your home during a water damage assessment:
- Upholstery and carpets.
- Dressers and cabinets.
- Digital media (CDs, DVDs, computers, hard drives).
- Paper products
Once a water damage assessment has been performed, a professional restoration company can start the repair and cleanup process for your household. Based on the range of damages, this can last several weeks to a few months. For further details about what a water damage assessment consists of, and what to do after a flood or house fire, speak to your local restoration expert.
