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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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Insurance Accepted, financing Available

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.

How Homeowners Benefit From Water Damage 2023

How Homeowners Benefit From Water Damage 2023

Dec 15, 2022 | Water Damage Restoration

File Water Damage Claims Without Fear

Responsible homeowners have the most to gain from the experience of a water damage emergency in their home or office due to homeowners’ insurance.  This coverage is key; however, most homeowners are unclear about the inclusions and exclusions of their policy.  Additionally, most policy holders don’t know how to use their insurance nor do they know what to expect from filing a claim.  Everyone knows that coverage is a necessity, but no one ever wants to imagine having to actually use their policy.  Its understandable how nobody wants to imagine their house flooding or a pipe busting to cause major water damage.  Most homeowners purchase insurance simply because it’s a requirement from the bank and so that we have the financial backing we need to get us back on our feet in case of a flood or water damage emergency.

You would think that having coverage would be enough to keep people at ease, but from my experience, it’s really not.  According to Metrix research, we discovered that although a person may have homeowners’ insurance, most are people are scared of using their insurance for fear that their premiums might increase, that they may get dropped, or that insurance may not cover the damages.  This fear holds many people back from actually claiming the benefit they pay into month after month.

Two Sides To Water Damage

There are two sides to every coin, heads and a tails.  In this example, let’s say they say that tales represents the unknown and inherent stress of a water damage and that heads represents the satisfaction of responsibly mitigating a water damage claim and all that is inherent to that.  One coin but it’s got two sides.  Most people will discover a basement flood or water damage and will enter the dark side of this this coin, the tail side.  This is the phase of panic, stress, fear and uncertainty.  Most people don’t know who to call in cases of a flood or an emergency water damage and because they don’t have a relationship with a contractor that specializes in this unique type of endeavor, they scramble in a panic to find help.  Most people will contact their insurance company to report damage and expect the insurance company to take care of everything.  Unfortunately, this not the way that it works, and the homeowner soon discovers the weight of their responsibility to take care of their own property. 

Once you file a claim with your insurance company, you’ve given them notice of damage and they can often refer you to one of their program vendors.  Insurance companies love to use their own “program vendors” because these contractors agree to provide the insurance network/TPA at least a 25% discount, but this discount can be up to and in excess of 50%.  An insurance company is a business and they want to save money however possible and practical.

Choose Flood Metrix Over The Matter

Because

The Power To Change The Matter

Is In The Metrix

Water Damage Pricing Is Standardized By Xactimate

Xactimate is a program we use in the water damage and damage restoration industry to standardize pricing based on zip code.  The IICRC and Insurance Industry use Xactimate as a “fair pricing standard” for all flood, water and damage restoration projects.  Most water damage project are paid by insurance and contractors who provide water damage restoration services are getting through insurance whether they or program vendors or not.  Your insurance company will even tell you that you can hire any qualified contractor you see fit.  As long as a project is properly documented and the insurance company is obligated to pay the Xactimate value of a line item, but not more. 

Homeowners must understand how to use their insurance coverage so that they can receive the full benefits thereof.  Often homeowners fear that if they use their insurance policy  it will cause their insurance premiums to raise or cause their insurance company to  drop them. This thinking is rooted in fear and uncertainty and couldn’t be further from the truth.  The moment you file a flood or water damage claim with your insurance company, they are required by law to set aside funds to satisfy your claim.  They are also required by law to pay out at least the Xactimate value of a line item.

IICRC And Water Damage Claims

Stop here and let the above paragraph sink in.  It is important for a water damage contractor to understand insurance billing because Xactimate is the “pricing standard” that the IICRC and Insurance Industry uses to standardize pricing for emergency restoration services such as water damage, flood, fire, storm damage, mold remediation and the like.  Pricing for these services standardized by the Xactimate software to keep pricing fair and to prevent price gauging. 

Insurance companies want water damage mitigation contractors to use Xactimate but does not always want to pay the Xactimate value of a flood or water damage project.  However, this is simply the process of submitting a bill and working with the insurance company.  They are obligated to satisfy any legitimate invoice submitted related to your claim as long as every line item billed has been documented.  Adjustors are accustomed to working with program vendors to and good independent contractors to negotiate better pricing.  Its not that they won’t pay, its simply that they want to get a deal also.

Non-Program Water Damage Contractors

It is unreasonable to expect a vendor who does not constantly receive program work from an insurance company to offer the same price discount as if they were.  It’s a lot easier for a water damage contractor to give an insurance company a discount on services, when the insurance company is sending them 1 or 2 jobs a month.  Discounts on services are for the people who own homes not for businesses such as insurance companies.

A major part of our duty in the water damage restoration industry is to simply educate the general public on the subject.  We find that by providing educational resources to our customers it helps to eliminate and alleviate a lot of the stress inherent to water damage restoration.  Again, most people start on the “dark side” of the coin when they discover a flooded basement, that their water heater or water pipe has busted.  However, after a person chooses Flood Metrix over the matter, we take immediate action to carry that customer away from their current state of confusion and panic.  We begin moving them from stress to satisfaction which is ultimately what our mission is all about.

 A major key to accomplishing our mission educating the customer about the water damage restoration process, what they should expect and demand from their insurance provider.  When a person starts to understand their insurance coverage, they can also they start to see the light.  They realize that although their basement flooded or there was water damage in some part of the home, they also have insurance.  Having the proper coverage means that all damages will be addressed, resulting in equal or greater final results, and that is worthy of celebration.

Water Damage Cleanup

Choose Flood Metrix For Water Damage Restoration

When a person chooses Metrics over the Matter for water damage restoration, it turns out becoming one of the best experiences they will ever have with a contractor.  The satisfactions of their mitigation experience is greater than their initial jolt of stress and shock.  We get onsite there and begin the water damage restoration process. We do the water removal, mold remediation and dry out everything that’s wet.  Then we set our customers up for reconstruction and get them connected with the right remodelers.  The happiness and contentment which is a result of working with true professionals in the industry floods out and overshadows any stress or discontentment that the customer may have initially experienced. This is the Metrix Mission, to move our customers from stress to satisfaction, and to help them both know and understand their rights and responsibilities as a policy holder.

Sometimes customer feel anxiety dealing with a “direct to consumer” water damage restoration provider because they believe they will get stuck with a bill if insurance doesn’t pay.  Again, this is why a customer needs to understand how pricing and billing works in the water damage restoration industry.  No contractor wants to get a reputation of being unable to settle invoices with an insurance company, because many field adjustors work the same geographical area.  All we want is to get paid for our work after we have mitigated the water damage problem with complications and doing a bad job/not doing it properly is causes complications. 

Best Customer Service In Water Damage Restoration

Some customers are just used to dealing with businesses and contractors who only care about money, they really don’t have the customer’s best interest at heart and who really don’t care to understand what it is that this person is going through.  It’s all about their bottom line and from the Metrix perspective, this is short sighted, and is not a good way to do business.  At Metrix next restoration we seek to empower our customers.  We seek to provide them with the details of their situation and to give them as much insight about their project as possible.  We do not want our customers to be blindsided with details that should have been brought to their attention from day one. 

When a customer really begins to understand their responsibility as a policy holder, the fear of dealing with their insurance company also begins to dissipate.  Having a water damage with insurance and not filling a claim is like winning the lottery and not claiming your prize. Sometimes there are mitigating circumstances around water damage restoration projects that insurance companies don’t always like to pay for, but they will pay for them if the policy holder is aware of their rights and how to negotiation their benefit.

Commonly customers are just too tired and overwhelmed to make their insurance company do what they are supposed to do.  Or they don’t want to get into it with their insurance company because they don’t know what they are required to do by law.  Many times, homeowners might see an invoice $15,000 or $20,000 or $40,000 or more for water damage mitigation and to the homeowner that seems like a lot of money.  

However, they are thinking in terms of their own income, not in terms of the assets which are held by the insurance company.  Insurance carriers have millions and of dollars set aside to handle water damage claims.  When you’re working with that kind of a budget, a $20,000 or $50,000 invoice truly only a drop in the bucket in comparison to what these insurance networks actually have on hand and are actually generating.

Water Damage Industry Standards

Sometimes people fear that their one claim is going to bankrupt the insurance company or that their $30,000 claim is going to make the insurance company all of a sudden not want to do business with them anymore.  However, homeowners should realize that paying claims is the nature of the insurance industry.  This is why policies are written in different ways to include and exclude certain aspects of damages.  Where the confusion comes in with homeowner is that they really don’t know what is included in their policy and they really don’t know what is excluded in their policy.

For the record, there are generals standard which are included in most policies.  These general coverage standards are based on the IICRC S500 water damage and S520 mold remediation standards.  Such general coverage includes specifics line such as water removal and extraction, structural drying, pack outs and content manipulation, demo and reconstruction.  Likewise, the general exclusions are based on sudden and accidental damage.  If damage is due to lack of maintenance of behalf of the homeowner, insurance companies are not likely to get involved.

Overcoming The Panic Of Water Damage

This is what this is what scares a lot of homeowners, they don’t know if the water damage will be considered sudden or accidental and so it paralyzes them.  This fear rapids turns a $1000 water damage deductible into a $12,000 personal bill.  This article was written to educate and encourage insurance policy holders to use your insurance.  The reason we buy insurance is to use it when its needed.  If an insurance company gives you a difficult time after when you have only done what a responsible homeowner should do, you should drop them and find a new carrier.    You would need to file multiple claims in a short period of time in order for your insurance company to be able to justify dropping you.  Again, there are laws preventing the insurance carriers from dropping the homeowners just because they use their coverage.

 Homeowners must get over this fear because every month you are paying into this insurance and it’s generating money for the insurance company.  The insurance company is making money off of those monthly payments and trust me, they’re making a lot more money than what they pay out of any claim, that’s just the way the system works.  We have to remind ourselves of this so that we can act in surety and confidence when we approach the insurance company.  

One thing for certain and two things for sure, the insurance company will try to shortchange your claim but there are methods for handling your insurance carrier such as going through the appeals process, hiring a public adjustor, or suing the insurance company for not paying the bill. Many times an insurance company will shortchange a claim on purpose just because they can, it’s almost standard operating procedure.  Insurance companies operate for their own best interest and will use your ignorance to their benefit. 

This is what this article is written, to help empower the homeowner.  We want to help you get everything you are entitled to, every single time, and we’re going to help direct you to get the satisfaction you deserve.

Flood Metrix Over The Matter

The Metrix customer is a mind over matter type of individual.  The metrics customer wants to look at the bright side, wants to focus on the benefit, wants to focus on the solution and not the problem.  We want to remind our customers that although your home be in a wreck today, when we get finished it will be in an even better position than it was before.  That is the reminder we want to put into the consciousness of our customers so that they are not afraid and know how to proceed even in the chaos and the stress of a flood or water damage. 

If your or someone you know needs help with a water damage problem, choose Metrix over the Matter, because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

Water Damage Restoration Professional Network

Water Damage Restoration Professional Network

Dec 12, 2022 | Water Damage Restoration

Water Damage Mitigation Is Founded In Science

The water damage restoration industry is headed by scientists.  The IICRC certified professionals who operate within the water mitigation industry practice a science known as psychrometrics. We are highly skilled contractors trained to perform in high stress situations while providing emergency services for your home or office.

What distinguishes water mitigation contractors from other kinds of contractors is the nature of providing emergency water damage services.  To better serve our customers, we must have and maintain a fluid standard operating procedure.  This allows us to be flexible, direct and accurate at the same time as we apply the science of water damage mitigation.

Water Damage Restoration And Mitigation Logic

I have always attended live classroom trainings my IICRC water damage related certifications.  In class we would conduct experiments by breaking off into groups.  After all the groups had their problems solved, each group would present their solution to the class.  Without fail, if there were four groups, we found four different but correct approaches to solving the problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each group demonstrated how to restore balance to the indoor environment.  Psychometrics, or the science of water damage restoration, is algebraic because we are always looking to balance the equation in terms of the humidity and excess water within a dwelling. At Flood Metrix we determine a of course of action based on science to achieve a result.

Masters Of Mitigation

Water damage mitigation is a game of chess.  It is literally the water mitigation professional versus the actual water mitigation problem.  In a game of chess there are different pieces such as ponds, bishops, rooks, knights, king and a queen and so it is with the professional affiliations of a water damage company such as Flood Metrix.  To better serve the Flood Metrix customer, we take time to network with like-minded professionals qualified to serve our customers in times of need.  Like a game of chess, each referred professional ready to come in and play their role in restoring your home or office like new or better.

When a customer experiences a flood or water damage there are several trade skills necessary for completing their project.  A good water damage restoration contractor should strive to be the entire solution for their customer.  Striving to become the complete solution to your customers problem requires you to develop a network of professionals who reflect the same standards and qualities reflected by brand.  Metrix adds value to our customers industry through the power of relationship.   By creating something that is strong enough make other people want to spread the word.  One can only imagine the fortune and goodwill behind having a customer buy into your business. 

Homeowners love a connected contractor.  A contractor who already has an established network of professionals they trust enough to recommend.  Homeowners want to be able to quickly check out sources from somebody they know and trust.  Such resource provides options, insight, and reassurance on with how to proceed in a state of emergency.  This is important because it requires a lot requires a lot of effort a lot of energy to help bring someone back from the experience of a water damage or flood.

This is why Flood Metrix is always looking to hire qualified talent and investors.  We are also always looking for businesses to network with, in order to benefit from the power of professional affiliation.  Among the many ways businesses can benefit and prosper by applying the principles of networking is the power to generate awareness, sells, and long-term customer loyalty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Becoming a part of the community consciousness as a recognized brand that can be trusted has less to do with time than we often believe.  Contractors commonly believe that it takes 20 years or longer to become a reputable and recognized local business.  Actually, this is not so much of a time factor, as it is a factor of organization and refinement.  Refining and expanding your capabilities as a professional to be able serve the water damage industry and the people who you serve in a more complete way.

Inherent to this principle, we reap an additional value not just in cash form, in other words, how do you put a number on a person’s loyalty to your brand? At this point in technology, a person can follow, like, share and comment on social media, but never make a purchase.  However, the investment of their attention and engagement does have value or power to influence someone else who does purchase.

Water Damage Cleanup

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Adding Value To The Water Damage Mitigation Industry

The ultimate goal of being a service professional is to take a homeowner off of the market. Once you become a Metrix Restoration customer, dba Mold Metrix or Flood Metrix, you are off the market.  In which ever way we are able to provide you with service, we are looking to do so. As a water damage restoration contractor it may be necessary to contract specialty aspects to other experts, this is the nature of a contractor.

Water Damage Mitigation Is A Distinguished Service Trade

The water damage restoration industry is connected to many trades in the home services industry.  These include plumbers, remodelers, public adjustors, content storage and more. Certain aspects of water damage projects require that related industry specialist be involved. Emergency water damage response and emergency plumbing are special skills and designations, like badges of honor.  History records that throughout the Covid 19 pandemic, the water damage restoration industry was considered essential.  It is important for homeowners to recognize this distinguishing industry characteristic.  Within each water damage restoration project there are at least three specialty trades: Plumbing, Mitigation, Reconstruction and each aspect should be performed by a qualified specialist.

If you or anyone you know has a water damage restoration or mold remediation project call or visit our website.  There you can find our referrals to companies who provide restoration and related services in your area.  If Metrix does not provide mitigation services in your area, we can still help as we work with companies nationwide.  Remember, choose Metrix over the Matter, because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix.

Homeowners Guide To Basement Water Damage 2023

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.

Water Damage Restoration and Property Management

Water Damage Restoration and Property Management

Feb 1, 2022 | Water Damage Restoration

Why Property Management Companies Choose Metrix over the Matter for Water & Flood damage restoration projects?

Flood Metrix is a small business that offers big business benefits. We compare the relationship with a Property Management company to the relationship of a Partner.  As a water damage restoration company, we actively seek networking opportunities, which naturally lead to future financial gains.  Below is list of Key Competitive Benefits Property Management Companies receive when they “Choose Metrix Over The Matter.”

Flood Mitigation Maintenance Emergencies

Flood Metrix offers property management companies the ability to successfully handle maintenance emergencies such as floods & water damage on call.  It is estimated that  1 in 500 homes will experience a water damage claim each year and that the average cost per claim is 3k-8k, not including reconstruction costs.

In other words, the average homeowner will experience a flood or water damage related problem once every 8-12 years.  This is likely due to drain clogs and line water failures being listed among the most common causes of water damage.  

Keep your clients fully informed

Flood Metrix uses Doc-U-Sketch cameras to create virtual walk-throughs of flood damage restoration projects.  These reports are in 3D & can be shared instantly upon creation.  We use this level of technology to quickly document water damage while simultaneously gathering detailed room measurements.

Insurance adjustors can process claims faster because they have access to all the information they need as soon as it becomes available.  Property owners and managers alike are provided with an extra sense of “control” over the chaos caused by water damage.

Secure more real estate investors

Property Management companies find themselves in a position to manage both units in “rentable” & “unrentable” conditions.  Properties with flood and mold damage have the potential for high resale value once the property has been restored.  However, these projects also tend to be more expensive investments, because the of additional water damage and mold remediation costs involved in such projects.

“This practice helps us to optimize savings for our partners”

Metrix partners with property management companies and investors seeking to renovate water damaged and mold infested properties.  In many cases we can begin restoration with a minimum down payment along with a security agreement. Flood Metrix adds value to our partnerships with property management companies by allowing referred investors to defer the cost of water/flood damage restoration until after the sell.   This creates a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Another way Flood Metrix adds value to our property management partners is through our Referral Program.  Top Tier referral partners can earn up to a 25% commission on water damage, mold remediation projects.

Multiple Property Deals

Unlike residential customers with one or two houses, property management companies manage 10s, 100s and even 1000s of living/business units.  Every contractor has over 50% of their customers promise additional work on their “other property sometime in the future” in exchange for a discount.  Seasoned contractors always take that promise with a grain of salt residential customers, but this is not the case when it comes to commercial flood damage customers/property management companies. 

Water Damage companies know that property management companies are a good return on investment.  Flood Metrix helps to secure these valuable property management alliances with Preferred Vendor Pricing.

Preferred Vendor Pricing

The industry leader in damage restoration software is Xactimate, in fact, Xactimate is the program over 85% of insurance adjusters will use to determine “fair compensation” for water damage claims.  It is standard industry practice for these invoices to be itemized, but Xactimate also has a “Time & Materials” conversion. We use this setting offer Preferred Vendor Pricing based on Xactimate line-item values.   “This practice helps us to optimize savings for our partners”, said Khonsol Badu, owner of Metrix Restoration.

Marketing Affiliations

Free quality marketing and public relations are valuable assets to any business.  Whenever a property management company decides to business with Water Damage, Flood & Mold Metrix we celebrate a significant victory towards accomplishing our company mission.  We immediately begin to add as much value to our partners’ business as possible. 

One way we do this is by linking to our partners’ websites to support and facilitate website domain authority and organic search engine visibility.  Another way we do this is creating and sharing valuable content relevant to both industries.  We also like, share and comment on social media posts made by our partners, because we know how social signals can affect search engine rankings.  And of course, we refer our partners to customers whenever possible, because referrals are the backbone of service-based businesses.

Carpet Cleaning

Many property management companies handle single family, apartment buildings and business offices.  One critical aspect of managing each of these different types of properties is carpet cleaning.  Metrix Restoration also owns the Carpet Metrix Brand to specifically focus on carpet cleaning.  We understand carpet construction and know how to get Maximum Efficiency out of your carpets.

Residents of apartment units and condos can take advantage of “Group Discounts Rates” by scheduling carpet cleaning services during special “complex cleaning events”.

Additional Benefits of providing water damage restoration services for Property Management Companies

  • Sketch of effect unit: measurements, saves time

  • Routine billing

If you or your organization are interested in doing business with Metrix Restoration, please visit the Preferred Vendors Page of our website or send an email to [email protected].

“Choose Metrix over the Matter

Because the Power to Change the Matter is in the Metrix”

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