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Water Damage Restoration: What to do if your adjustor disagrees with your contractor?

Water Damage Restoration: What to do if your adjustor disagrees with your contractor?

Apr 18, 2023 | water damage restoration

Water Damage Restoration: What to do if your adjustor disagrees with your contractor?

This article is about the confusion an uncertified water damage insurance adjustor can create. I received the request for water removal from a customer who lives in a condo on the second level. Her neighbor above had something leak, we don’t know what it is, whether it was a busted pipe or leaky toilet. All we know is that the water leaked from the third level of the condo, down into the second unit of my customer’s house, through her floor, and through the ceiling down to the first unit.

Unfortunately, my customer was assigned an adjustor who was not IICRC certified and had no related industry certifications. I go onsite to conduct my initial investigation with the customer.  From first glance, the water damage did not appear to be so extensive.  However, after checking the moisture content levels of the ceiling, to discover they were completely saturated.  Additionally, carpet and pad were saturated.  The bathroom didn’t appear to be as bad as it was, however, the customer was able to take video of the water loss occurring.  If I had not seen the video, I may not have discovered the additional water damage.

There was water pouring down the ceiling, through her overhead fan, through the lighting fixture, right down onto her bed and onto the floor.  Water was splattering and caused water damage to her wooden nightstands and dressers.  Water was falling through the air duct in the bathroom, directly over her vanity.  I told the customer that according to the ICRC S500, we will remove the drywall and we will also take up the carpet and the pad because I saw how much water fell from the ceiling.

There was a question as to whether there could be water trapped under the tile of her bathroom floor.  Ordinarily I would think she would be safe from having this happen, because tile has one of the highest water resistance levels of different building materials.  When I saw the video, I realized there was a good chance water could have become trapped under the tile in the bathroom for two reasons. One:  just how much water fell and the accompanying pressure causing water damage.  Two: there were breaks in the seals around the toilet and the tub, so water may have got trapped under the tile from one of those breaks in the seal.

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Residential Water Damage Restoration is 60% Personal and 40% Business

Knowing that the customer works from home, I asked what would be a good time for us to start?  We decided that doing the water damage over the weekend would be better for her because she’s not working. I agreed and figured that this would be something her adjuster could definitely understand, we could definitely justify beginning on the weekend. However, this adjuster was perhaps one of the worst adjusters that my customer could have been assigned.

The adjustor claims to have had 10 years of experience.  When I got on the phone with her, to explain the water damage from having been onsite, but this adjustor had the audacity to believe they knew what needed to happen better than me even, though I’m an ICRC certified master water damage restoration professional.  I had also been on site to conduct psychrometric analysis and this adjuster saw some pictures.  She wanted the customer to believe that I didn’t know what I was talking about and that she did.  I asked the adjuster what if any IICRC certifications do you have?  Their respond was: “you know what,I’m not getting into a conversation about certifications”.  That was the red flag to me know this adjuster had no IICRC water damage restoration certifications, because if she did, she would one agree with me and she would say that she had certifications.

Cat 3 Water Damage Restoration

Our biggest discrepancy was how we should categorize this project.  I said we should categorize this project as a CAT3 water damage restoration, and she adamantly objected.  They believed the water damage should be done as a Cat 2 water loss.  Even if we assume that upstairs was perfectly clean, in order to error on the side of caution, I didn’t think that it would be wise to assume that everything upstairs on the third level was completely in order.  In order for me to agree with the adjuster, that would mean I have to assume everything upstairs was in pristine clean condition, but:

  • We don’t know if this person upstairs had pets,

  • We don’t know what the condition of the floor or the carpet was,

  • We don’t know what the overall condition of the unit upstairs was.

I didn’t think it was wise or in the customer’s best interest to classify this water damage as a Cat 2, besides the ICRC S500 water damage standard states that even if the water came from a clean source, when the water hit the ground, the category increases because it is presumed that the water is not carrying additional contaminates.  This is standard practice for all water damage restoration professionals, we never do a project as a Category 1 water damage. All water damage is either a Cat 2 or a CAT 3 water damage, because even if the water started off clean, when the water touches the floor it becomes Cat 2.

Here’s another red flag that let me know that this this adjuster really didn’t have the experience they claimed.  When water falls from one level to the next, for example, through a ceiling or through a floor, down to the next to the room underneath, the water automatically changes categories. Therefore even if the water came from a clean source, when the water when hit the floor of the third level unit, it became CAT2 water, when that water fell through the floor and through the ceiling of my customer’s house, that water became CAT3 water damage.

Water Damage Restoration: Professional 2nd Opinion

The water damage mitigation adjuster didn’t agree, but I knew I was right.  After the conversation I was so appalled, and I wanted to report her.  I wanted to speak with her supervisor. I just felt like it was very irresponsible to even have an adjuster in this position who obviously didn’t have the right training and did not know what she was talking about.  I advised the customer to get a second opinion.  Flood Metrix would pay to get a second opinion as long as the company is IICRC certified and are direct to customer water damage contractors.  If they agree with the adjuster, then you hired them but if they agree with Flood Metrix we will pay the fee, to have them write up their remediation protocol and then this way we have will have two different opinions from two different IICRC certified water damage restoration companies each recommending the same course of action.  Then it would be difficult for the adjuster to justify ignoring the recommendations of certified of two separate certified IICRC certified water damage restoration companies as for the proper course of action for this loss.

During a water damage restoration, customers are already stressed out.  Insurance companies know that most water damage policyholders are not reading their insurance policies and the last thing a customer wants to do is be stressed out by their insurance company when it’s time for them to use it.  Some insurance companies use this against their customers.  They don’t care about their policyholders, they don’t even care about the IICRC standard.  They just want to have something done and pressure the policyholder into doing something or what they say should happen, even though they’re not the ones who are professionally qualified to make the call.  It’s an egregious act and misuse of authority.  This adjuster put their policy holder in even more duress until she didn’t know what to do.

Water Damage Restoration IICRC S500

There’s another detail in the IICRC S500 water damage standard which states: the longer a project sits, the longer and more likely it is to become a Cat 3 water loss.  Previously, after 72 hours, a water damage automatically became Cat 3, but the new standard reads that it’s not automatically Cat 3 if the water damage professional on site doesn’t recognize any signs of mold growth.  He could then treat the loss as a Cat 2 water damage. Basically, by the time the homeowner would be able to get a second opinion the 72-hour water damage time frame would have lapsed.

This adjuster from All State was the worst adjuster this customer could have been assigned.  It was clear they had no water damage restoration experience.  As an adjuster, she was very unprofessional and took everything personally, which was not good for the client.  When clients understands that the adjuster is saying one thing and the contractor is saying another, they ultimately feel like they are forced to go with their adjuster, when that’s not true.  It’s not the case and customers just don’t understand what their rights are, especially when they have a water damage, because they just want to get the water damage taken care of.  They just don’t have the attention to put towards really finding out what the insurance company is obligated to do, because they’re in so much fear of the water damage not being covered.  

My recommendation to all homeowners before you have a water damage, or during the water damage is to read your policy.  Read your homeowners’ insurance policy and understand what is covered and what is not covered for a water damage.  When is mold covered, when is it not covered, so that you can know your rights.  Homeowners should know what the full scope of their benefits are to prevent being taken advantage of by an adjuster who’s just all about the money.  There is no way this adjuster could convince me that she wanted to advocate for this customer or that she was really on the customer side. Everything that she did was for the insurance company.  No recommendation she made was really to benefit the customer, it was really to shortchange the customer take advantage of her position.  Dealing with this adjustor and the inconvenience they caused prompted me to write this blog, because homeowners need to know what to do during the water damage, especially when you have an adjuster who is just not cooperative.

Water Damage Restoration Common Hazards 2023

Water Damage Restoration Common Hazards 2023

Dec 22, 2022 | water damage restoration

Water Damage Restoration Hazard And Risk Assessments

The first line of defense in helping to prevent injury, unnecessary damage, and health risks inherent to a water damage mitigation project is safety/hazards awareness.  A hazardous inspection checks for any work site situation that potentially poses danger to life or property. Water damage restoration professionals must then perform a risk assessment on all potential hazards found on the mitigation work site.  The assessment evaluates the risk or likelihood a particular hazard will cause harm.  Due to the unsafe nature of most water damaged dwellings, hazard inspections and risk assessments are essential for protecting workers.

The initial hazard inspection of a water damage restoration project involves three important aspects.  The first step is to identify hazards that could give reason not to enter the building, such as wet electrical panels and collapsing ceilings.  The second step is to identify the presence of regulated building materials such as asbestos, lead, or PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls).  Government-regulated substances required testing or inspection services from specialized third-party experts to assess health and safety issues. Finally, competent water damage mitigation contractor conducts a risk assessment and implements the necessary hazard controls for any identified hazards.

Water Removal Mitigation Hazard Controls

Hazard controls are implemented to protect against injury or other safety incidents.  Within the water damage mitigation industry, controls are organized into a hierarchy.  Those controls considered to be more effective at protecting workers and occupants are categorized higher on the list.  For example, the most effective control measures either eliminate the hazard or substitute a safer situation for mitigation to proceed.  Where water damage restoration hazards cannot be eliminated or replaced, industry mitigation safety plans implement controls lower in the hierarchy:

  • Engineering Controls- These are water damage restoration safety controls which are designed to deal with hazards before mitigation professionals encounter the hazard. These controls isolate workers from an identified danger.

  • Administrative Controls- These water damage mitigation controls are lower in the hierarchy and occur between the source of the hazard and mitigation professional. They include “safer work practices”.

  • Personal Protective Equipment- Water damage restoration Personal protective equipment (PPE) consists of controls placed on the mitigation professional. PPE is the lowest form of hazard control because protective equipment devices do nothing to eliminate the hazard directly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Damage Restoration PPE

Water damage restoration professionals cannot always eliminate every health and safety concern on a water damage project, so PPE is a necessary part of the safety program. Selecting a proper level of protection is important when considering PPE for a water damage mitigation project.  One step of the initial risk assessment is to closely evaluate the potential risks and determine which type of PPE is most appropriate. To help protect water damage mitigation technicians from the many hazards associated with contaminated water losses, restorers need to have ready access to several safety items.  These items protect from all potential exposures to the body and include:

  • Chemical-Resistant Gloves

  • Goggles

  • Respirator

  • Hard Hat

  • Rubber Boots

  • Protective Suit

Masters Of Mitigation

Water Damage Restoration Safety “Immunizations”

The great majority of water damage restoration projects involve direct contact with a range of infectious organisms.  As a minimum medical requirement, mitigation professionals performing water damage restoration services need medical consultation with a Primary Health Care Physician for appropriate immunizations.  Immunizations required may vary depending on the scope of work, previous immunization history, previous exposure and current availability of treatments.

mold remediation

Water Removal Safety Standards And Organizations

Water damage restoration professionals must be familiar with all applicable safety standards and laws which affect their business.  This list below includes some of relevant organizations and standards water damage mitigation professionals need to be familiar with.

1 OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration

a. 29 CFR 1910

b. 29 CFR 1926

2 ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

a. ANSI Z117.1-1989

3 EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

a. FIFRA- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act

4 IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification

a. S500- Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration

b. S520- Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation

This list should be evaluated for its application through varying state, provincial and other government laws and regulations.  It is also necessary to check with each of these sources frequently in order to stay current with changes to standards, codes and regulations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Damage Restoration Federal Regulations

Two codes are particularly relative to the work done by water damage restoration contractors. These documents can be assessed online. In order to ensure compliance water damage mitigation contractors must thoroughly read and understand these two CFR’s:

29 CFR 1910- General Industry Standards

29 CFR 1926- Construction Industry Standards

  • Increasing air flow across wet surfaces.

  • Controlling temperature of air and surfaces.

  • Using outside air when possible.

  • Creating a drying chamber.

  • Decreasing humidity in the affected area.

Items covered significant to water damage mitigation include:

  • OSHA General Duty Clause

  • Emergency Action and Fire Prevention Plans

  • Personal Protective Equipment

  • Respiratory Protection Plans

  • Asbestos and Lead

  • Heat Conditions

  • Confined Spaces

  • Hazard Plans

  • Fall Protection

  • Noise Exposure Limits

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Water Damage Restoration And Documentation

Several areas of health and safety require documentation during a water mitigation project.  For example, employers who assign mitigation technicians to use respiratory protection are required to have a written respiratory protection plan.  Likewise, whenever hazardous chemicals are present on a water mitigation work site, employers must document their company’s HAZCOM program.

Water Removal And Bloodborne Pathogens

Workers in many different occupations are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  First aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some settings, water damage restoration contractors and nurses are examples of workers who are at risk of exposure.  In 1991, OSHA issued the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to protect workers from this risk.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in the blood which can cause disease in humans.  Water damage mitigation contractors could possibly come into contact with bloodborne pathogens during day-to-day mitigation activities, primarily through the remediation of sewer backups.

Water damage restoration professionals need to understand the seriousness of these pathogens, know what PPE to dawn, and what procedures and standards must be followed.  When documented, this information becomes the employer’s bloodborne pathogens plan for their business.  Just as important as developing the plan is implementing the plan, which includes training for workers on the protocols and procedures to be used.

 If you or anybody you know needs water damage restoration, Choose Metrix over the matter, because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

Principles Of Water Damage Mitigation 2023

Principles Of Water Damage Mitigation 2023

Dec 21, 2022 | water damage restoration

IICRCS 500 water damage restoration standard and reference guide describes the task of water damage restoration through the following five principles.

Water Mitigation Principle 1

“Provide For The Health and Safety Of Workers And Occupants”

Water damage restoration is a dirty job, flooded with hazards.  In a previous article I described how and why a water damage mitigation contractor differs from other non-emergency contractors.  Electrocution, mold inhalation, asbestos inhalation, natural pathogens and disease are inherent to each and every water damage restoration project.  So often customers are in such a panic and technicians are in such a hurry to begin that we forget about safety.  However, first responsibility when arriving at water damage site is to identify and eliminate any observable safety hazards. As a responsible professional, the restoration contractor has a duty to protect the health and safety of workers and occupants during restoration procedures.  

Water Damage Mitigation Principle 2

“Documentation And Inspect The Project”

Once on-site, a water damage restoration professional must assess the extent of water damage and map the moisture migration pattern.  They must also be prepared to measure the amount of moisture absorbed by effected materials in order to properly scope the mitigation project.  Several specialized tools such as thermal hydrometers, infrared scanners, moisture meters, and hydro-sensors will be used to gather relevant moisture content readings.

Moisture readings will be taken in both effected and non-effected areas for comparative analysis.  Each room is checked and monitored individually because a water damage restoration contractor must be able to verify their decided course of action is direct and efficient.  Due to the number of variables present that affect the drying of materials progress cannot be assumed frequent inspection and monitoring is therefore essential.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drying a home or office effected by a flood or water damage is known as “restorative drying” and is a dynamic process.  Each water mitigation project comes with a unique set of “moving variables” which constantly effect a mitigation contractors’ intended result.  

Ultimately the goal of water mitigation is returning the structure to a clean, dry and safe living environment.  The nature of these variables are changes from one mitigation to the next which compels the restorer to conduct multiple inspections of the work zone throughout the mitigation drying process, these include:

  • Initial inspection to identify items that were affected and to set dry goals.

  • Ongoing inspections to assure that expected progress is being made.

  • Final inspection to ensure that materials have dried to the predetermined goals.

Masters Of Mitigation

Water Damage Mitigation Principle 3

Mitigate Further Damage

Dry goals made are based upon critical information the water mitigation professional obtains during their initial assessment.  The inspection not only checks the extent of moisture intrusion but also considers the potential for additional damages.

Water Removal

In order to dry the affected areas in the most effective and efficient way a restorer must focus on water removal and extraction.  Any forms of water intrusion must be stopped, and any further moisture intrusion mitigated in order for the restorative drying effort to be successful.  The goal of water damage mitigation is to return the structure and contents to an acceptable condition.  A project manager will also determine whether any building materials or contents in secondary areas have the potential to suffer secondary damages.

mold remediation

Control The Spread Of Contaminants

One serious form of secondary damage is mold growth.  Mold can cause structural components to lose their integrity and has great potential to impact indoor air quality in a negative way.  Such conditions may ultimately result in compromised occupant health.  In addition to mapping out moisture patterns, the water damage restoration professional will attempt to identify any health concerns, including pre-existing conditions of mold.  Professional care is taken to contain contaminants and not spread them to unaffected areas of the home or office.

Water Mitigation Principle 4

Clean And Dry Effected Areas

Cleaning

The cleaning procedures are used during a water mitigation project vary depending on the effected material, its salvageability and value to the customer.  Salvageable but contaminated materials have their own special protocols and usually require some type of cleaning both before and after the drying process.  For example, effected items may be “pre-cleaned” before the drying process, while the restorative cleaning process takes place after.  Sometimes a different division of a water damage restoration company is able to provide contents restoration while the water damage mitigation process is underway.  Also, keep in mind contents cleaning is it own specially service and is invoiced to your insurance company separately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drying

Water damage restoration contractors manipulate and control as many factors as possible in their drying systems to achieve the most efficient drying conditions.  After as much water as possible has been extracted, evaporation of the remaining moisture is now possible in the following ways:

  • Increasing air flow across wet surfaces.

  • Controlling temperature of air and surfaces.

  • Using outside air when possible.

  • Creating a drying chamber.

  • Decreasing humidity in the affected area.

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Evaporated moisture must be removed from the affected areas by dehumidification or ventilation. Additionally, a knowledgeable restoration contractors recognize that each loss site is different, and they adjust methods based on each situation including:

  • Adjusting or removing equipment when necessary.

  • Removing items that should not be dried.

  • Saving items that cannot be dried in place.

  • Using specialized tools to drive difficult areas.

Water Mitigation Principle 5

Complete The Restoration And Repairs

Once the structure and contents are dry according to dry standards, your project officially moves from the water damage mitigation phase and into the water damage restoration and repairs phase.  This is important to understand because mitigation is billed separately from reconstruction.

As the drying proceeds, restores must reevaluate the condition of structural items or contents and consider whether they will require finishing or repair to return them to a pre loss condition.  Any building materials that were removed or disrupted will need reconstruction.  Your water damage claim is not complete until all affected materials are clean, dry and equal or better in appearance and function than they were before the loss occurred.  This is the industry standard and is also recognized by all major insurance carriers in the US.

 If you or anybody you know needs water damage restoration, Choose Metrix over the matter, because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

Intro To Water Damage Restoration

Intro To Water Damage Restoration

Dec 20, 2022 | water damage restoration

Intro To Water Damage Restoration

Water intrusions, flood and excess moisture each have the power to cause minor damage or wreak havoc on an indoor environment such as your home or office. As the planet is over 70% water and composed of microbial elements, the conditions needed to trigger and support mold growth are always present.  All that that is needed to destroy this delicate balance is the introduction of excess moisture.  Whenever moisture content and humidity levels become abnormally high, microorganisms such as mold will naturally begin to multiply exponentially.  This rapid increase of mold growth can lead to structural deterioration, odors and has the real potential to create serious health issues for building occupants.  

When a water damage occurs, the single most critical factor of estimating the potential damage is the amount of time the structure has been wet and how long the structure remains abnormally wet.  This fundamental principle is the reason why the most critical course of action of a water damage restoration professional is to respond quickly and begin the water removal process as soon as possible.  All other actions taken during a water mitigation project pivot around this very important principle.

Water Damage Mitigation and Restorative Drying

The restorative the drying process consists of 4 basic tenants:

  • Assessment

  • Documentation

  • Water Removal

  • Controlled Drying

Each water damage project consists of “standards” and “variables” which make the mitigation project unique.  Though the standards are numbered and remain constant, the variables of water damage remain without number. Due to the fluctuating nature of water damage mitigation, the professional must, like water, remain flexible in their approach. 

Water damage restoration professional must rely on the science of phychrometrics and the atmospheric reading of their tools throughout the drying process.  Anyone engaging in the business of water damage mitigation should follow the standards of care established by the restoration industry known as the IICRC S500 standard and reference guide for professional water damage restoration.  Our goal as mitigation/restoration professionals is to reverse the damage caused to an indoor structure by water intrusion into an environment of equal or greater condition and cleanliness than before the water damage occurred.  Additionally, the ethics of water damage dictates that we provide such rescue in the most economical and efficient means possible.

Water Damage Cleanup

Water Damage Assessment

A water damage restoration professional begins this process by identifying all affected areas and materials.  Water must be tracked from its source and followed in every direction to establish an accurate parameter of the flood damage.  What results from this documentation is known as a moisture map.  Additional information included with the moisture map includes material types affected and their location relative to the map.  Materials noted will include items such as: type of flooring, baseboards, walls, furniture and even structures such as a fireplace or HVAC unit. 

Affected materials are evaluated against three criteria to determine if they should be restored or replaced. The three criteria are:

  • degree of contamination

  • replacement cost

  • restoration costs 

Identifying which “contents and materials” are salvageable and which should be replaced, is at the root of all structural drying strategy.  When dealing with high value structure materials such as cabinets and wood floors, the attempt to salvage and restore is always made before these items are removed.  This is a technical process and is primarily done to document that an attempt was made so that adjustor is able to justify the “payout” related to your water damage claim.  Contents of high sentimental value such as wedding dresses, collectibles, career memorabilia and should also never be discarded without the homeowners’ permission.

Water Damage Demolition And Dry Out

Water Damaged materials which have been determined to be “unsalvageable” according to IICRC S500 standards and are of relatively low value should be removed or manipulated to the to facilitate drying restoration.  The method of restoration used to remove water damaged materials is known as “disruptive drying” and may include the removal of finish materials such as drywall, baseboards, carpet, pad, and other cellulose based materials.

All materials that have been determined to be “restorable” are relocated on or off-site for treatment.  The amount of moisture absorbed by a material is measured and documented as the moisture content level of a mitigation report.  Moisture content levels are crucial to the drying process for two reasons:

  1. This information influences the amount of equipment used.

  2. Provides observable measurements used to determine if the drying process is working. 

The drying process of a water damage mitigation project is monitored with equipment and or regular on-site visits.  A water damage restoration professional can compare moisture readings from the previous day to measure progress.  If materials are found to have made sufficient progress in the initial 24 hours then drying continues, and no major changes are made to the strategy.  If materials are not drying, then it becomes clear that the current approach is not working.  In this case, the water damage restoration professional must the change his or her approach and may employ additional measures to balance the concern of mold growth and contamination. 

Benefits to Creating An Account With Metrix 

1. Creating an account is like purchasing a valuable home maintenance policy for your property with a Follow on social media.  Grow the value of your account by liking, commenting and sharing.

2. Zero Dollar Insurance Deductible

3. Save up to 30% on annual maintenance services

4. Cash Referral Rewards

5. Protect your home from damages insurance may not cover

Water Damage Drying Cycle

The cycle of evaluation and reevaluation must continue throughout the restoration process the.  Also, it is critical that the drying process to allowed to continue without interruption.  If the drying process is not working the water damage professional must modify the drying environment by adding or subtracting equipment or possibly removing wet non salvageable materials.  Water mitigation professional should strive to provide the most economical and effective methods for mitigating water damage and project cost.

Throughout the water mitigation drying process, a professional must constantly ask “is this drying properly”?  This means to restorer must also know their “dry goal”.  A dry goal is determined by measuring non affected materials to get an environmental standard.  Armed with this knowledge a water damage mitigation professional knows how to calculate to create the necessary changes to realize a “dry” indoor environment.

Water Mitigation Dry Standard

The water damage mitigation drying standard was designed to ensure that each water damage restoration project can be done properly, according to scientific method.  It is important that all water damage restoration industry processes and procedures are carefully followed. Our tactically approaches should also be specific and flexible just like the water damage itself.  Being able to employ both tactic and strategy ensures not only the successful completion of a mitigation, but also translates to significant time, stress and financial savings.

If you or anyone you know needs water damage mitigation, restoration or mold remediation services, “Choose Metrix over the Matter, because the Power to Change the matter is in the Metrix”.

Water Damage Restoration: What to do if your adjustor disagrees with your contractor?

Homeowners Guide To Basement Water Damage 2023

Nov 22, 2022 | water damage restoration

Homeowners Guide To Basement Flood Damage

The homeowners guide to basement flood damage restoration produced by Flood Metrix is our attempt to educate the public about water damage restoration.  We believe that education is a main factor in accomplishing our mission, which is to move a customer from stress to satisfaction.  Having a plan of action in case of a flooded basement really helps a customer to rest at ease during a time that is naturally stressful.

Many homeowners don’t know what their insurance company will or will not cover.  This article is going to include some standard procedures for basement flooding so that homeowners can better understand what to expect.

We should begin with what is considered basement flooding

First, let’s break the subject down into three parts:

Basement Leaks

Basement Water Damage

Basement Floods

Basement Leaks

Basement leaks can originate from a crack in the foundation, failed plumbing or plumbing related appliances.  Leaks originating outside the home are not typically covered by standard homeowners’ insurance, an additional policy for a flood protection is usually needed.  I recommend reading your policy and contacting your agent to discuss any question before they arise.

Basement Floods Water Proofing

It is always a good idea to have a water proofing expert make suggestions about the best water proofing options for your basement.  An expert will be able to let your know if installing some a simple water barrier is enough for your project or if you need greater support.  It all depends on the location of your home, and the condition of the basement, and your goals as the homeowner as to what maybe considered the best course of action for preventing a basement flood in your home.

When To Call A Water Damage Professional

Homeowners should call a professional whenever there is more than 10 gallons and or sewer water involved.  Basement flooding typically involves multiple areas of a basement or over 60% of a basement.  Anytime you experience a basement flood, the first step is to contact an IICRC certified water damage professional.  It is better to call an experienced water damage professional, because most plumbers do not understand the insurance process of basement flood claims. 

If you are unable to stop the water flow, then definitely call the plumber first.  But if you can, call the water damage restoration professional first they can explain to you your options with filing a claim.  Homeowner really need to understand that the inspection report is the document they need to support their damage claim.

Water Damage Cleanup

Step 1 Basement Flood Mitigation

The very first step to a basement flood damage mitigation is to choose a qualified and reputable water damage restoration professional.  If you are able to stop the leak yourself, you do not need to call the plumber first, you need to call a water damage restoration professional, even before you call your insurance company to make your claim.

Flooded Basement Service Agreement

Most companies require that you sign a service agreement.  Signing a water damage service agreement is important because not only does it protect the water damage restoration company, but it also protects the homeowner.  Both parties become protected from no fault damages.

Initial Water Damage Report

Most homeowner are not experts at making damage reports for official basement flood coverage.  One advantage of hiring a water mitigation company first is the additional help you have with properly filing your basement flood insurance claim.  After you’ve chosen a qualified water damage mitigation professional, the next order of business is to inspect for primary, as well as secondary damages.  We want to document both what is and what is not affected at the time of arrival.  Videos, photos, written notes, diagrams, measurements, along with psychometric analysis are all use to create basement flood damage reports to be shared with the homeowner and insurance adjustor.

Your basement flood damage project manager should be able to answer questions related to and provide help with filing your water damage mitigation claim.  Information such as: how to report a water damage mitigation claim and your rights and responsibilities when filing a water mitigation claim.   The initial report usually takes an hour to create and with today’s technology can be completed onsite.

 

Step2: Basement Flood Water Removal

After the paperwork is taken care of, the water extraction can begin.  The water removal method depends on how much water is in the basement.  If there is less than more than six inches of standing water in the basement pumps will be used to quickly remove standing water from the basement.  If there is less 6 inches of water, portable extraction equipment will be used to remove standing water from the basement.

What to do if basement flood water becomes frozen?

If you come across a case where the basement has flooded, and the water has frozen.  The only way to proceed would be to restore power, either through the electrical system or by generators to warm up the house.  Then the water can melt and then be pumped out of the house so that the mitigation process can proceed.

A Pack Out Is Standard Basement Flood Mitigation Procedure

A flood damage pack out is considered a specialty skill and even has its own IICRC certification.  Pack outs are typically necessary when dealing with basement floods because contents must be removed from the affected area during water damage mitigation.  Pack outs are the process of moving a customers’ items for storage and must be done in an organized fashion.  Homeowners’ contents are labeled and can be always tract during the mitigation and reconstruction portion of a basement flood damage restoration project.   Compare this to content manipulation, which is relocating affected items on site.  Often a pack outs are the preferred course of action for all parties involved, including insurance companies.

 

Homeowners are hesitant when they don’t know if insurance is going to pay for certain costs, however, a pack out is standard basement flood damage mitigation procedure.  It is recognized by insurance carriers, and they even have a special billing for this service which includes storage.

water damage restoration

Step 3: Water Damage Demolition

Homeowners tend to worry about the cost of water damage restoration, but the truth is that it may not even cost you anything out of pocket.  If your insurance deductible is $1000 then that is your total out of pocket expense for a new basement.  In most cases, especially when you’re dealing with a good water damage restoration contractor and a flooded basement you should be able to defer your deductible to avoid any out-of-pocket emergency expenses.

The commitment of an insurance carrier is to bring you back to a pre lost condition.  When dealing with water damage restoration projects and flooded basements oftentimes there are many damaged materials that need to be removed.  This is the 3rd step to water damage mitigation.  During the demolition portion of your project all unsalvable materials throughout the flooded basement will be removed for disposal.  area after the demolition is complete and all wet and affected materials have been removed will then move on to step 4.

Step 4: Decontamination

During the decontamination phase, any exposed structural frame of the home be cleaned and decontaminated along with the walls and floors.  This process includes HEPA extraction and the application of antimicrobial.  In some case this also includes the HVAC.

Step 5: Water Damage Structural Drying

Once the demo phase is complete your water damage project moves into the dry out phase. OK The dry out phase includes of a lot of air movers to manipulate the air flow and dehumidifiers to pull excess water from structural materials and other contents in the area.  This help to prevent further secondary damages including microbial growth.  When the dry out phase is complete your water damage mitigation project is complete.

At the end of a water damage mitigation a customer will be given a final walkthrough.  They will be allowed to inspect and will be asked to sign a certificate of completion.  The insurance company will be sent an invoice which is normally paid 30 days.  The average time frame for a water mitigation to be complete is about three to five days.  However, water damage reconstruction can take a lot longer due its nature.  It’s a good idea for a water damage restoration contractor to closely network with a basement remodeling company to better assist their customers in these situations.

4 Hidden Causes of Flooded Basements:

  • Location

The natural position of your home or office relative to its natural environment is a major factor when considering the possibility of future water damage or basement flooding.  Understanding where your house is built in relation to land elevation & sloop is important when planning to prevent basement flooding.  Low quality materials and poor craftmanship is a dangerous mix and is more susceptible to water damage causing basement flooding.

  • Water Drainage System

Improper installation of underground drainage system by your home builder can cause many complications and are not likely to be discovered until a basement flood damage occurs.  However, you can do your part to prevent a basement flood.  Proper maintenance of your sump pump includes having a back up power source.  Even this precaution will fail if the builder makes a mistake.

French drain installation can be a great defense against basement flooding.  If you live in the Northern VA or Southern MD area and plan to use your basement as living space, then French Drain Installation is highly recommended as a defense against water damage.

Gutter maintenance and water diversion is important to the overall water damage protection of your home.  Clogged gutters can cause ceiling to wall water damage.  When gutter water is not diverted away from the home, water pressure increases around basement perimeters.  This makes basement water damage and basement flooding more likely.

  • Foundation Cracks & Leaks

Foundation cracks can be tiny but turn into a major water damage cleanup.  High humidity levels are the result of leaky pipes, water intrusion, foundation cracks and many other water damage issues.  Mold growth is a secondary damage caused by water, in gas or liquid form.  Foundation cracks become weaker by poor drainage.  As the ground becomes over saturated, the pressure per square inch increases as does the chance for basement flooding and basement water damage.

  • Home Additions

Making additions to your home must be carefully planned.  Increased water pressure around a basement perimeter is almost a certainty when additions do not align with precision.  The risk of basement flooding is higher when water pressure around a basement foundation is multiplied.

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