Question 1

Is water damage covered by my insurance policy?

Accepted Answer

Water damage insurance claims depend on a few different criteria. Ultimately, that's a question you'll have to clarify with your insurance company. However, we can tell you that the viability of water damage insurance claims depends primarily on what caused the damage (storm, burst pipe, plumbing malfunction, localized flood, sump pump failure, etc.). Some insurance policies will outline scenarios that will NOT be covered without specific riders, like flood insurance or sump pump failure insurance.

Contacting 1st Call Disaster Services as well as your insurance adjuster at the same time is a good idea because the 1st Call will help make sure that not only will the water extraction and dry out be covered but the rebuild process that should follow. If the full scope of the claim isn't outlined and agreed upon from the start, there may be issues down the line, and property owners may find themselves having to pay out of pocket to get the property completely back to normal.

Question 2

How long will it take to dry out my property?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the types of materials that were affected by water. Drywall, carpet, and hardwood floors will take longer to dry than other materials in the space. We use moisture meters throughout the process and in many different locations to gauge the moisture levels and adjust our fans and dehumidifiers to achieve an efficient but effective dry time. The bare minimum of "three days to dry" may only produce a surface dry but can still leave behind moisture levels that create an ideal environment for mold to grow.

Question 3

Should I start mopping up the water myself?

Accepted Answer

Most homeowners start trying to remove the water themselves before they realize they'll need to contact their insurance company about a claim so they can call in a water damage restoration company. However, standing water around anything with a power cord or outlet or sagging ceilings makes the area unsafe. Also, many insurance claims require documentation of the loss BEFORE any work is done, including removing the water. Always take plenty of photos of the damage you see before taking any action to start cleaning up the mess. 1st Call Disaster Services will be able to back up your insurance claim scope with the necessary technical documentation as well.

Question 4

What happens to all of my wet belongings?

Accepted Answer

If the water damage involves Category 1 water (clean and free of microbes and bacteria), many of your personal belongings can be salvaged. Category 2 water would include other water sources, including rainwater, that still pose health risks and the potential for destructive microbial growth and mold while not containing biohazards or sewage. One of our certified water damage restoration technicians will help you sort through the property's contents to determine what can be safely dried, what can be restored by a textile/contents technician, and what can't be saved or salvaged. There are off-site facilities in the area that specialize in restoring water-damaged contents. Your 1st Call team will document all of the contents leaving the property for restoration or disposal for your records and also for reimbursement from your insurance company.

Question 5

How do I know for sure what caused the water damage to my property?

Accepted Answer

Identifying the source of the water damage is one of the first steps in both the insurance claim process and before beginning to dry out and repair the damaged areas. After all, if you replace a sagging, wet ceiling that was caused by a roof leak but don't fix the roof, the next rainstorm will start the cycle all over again. A leaking pipe could cause buckling to your hardwood floor. We will pinpoint the exact cause of your water damage and make sure the source is repaired. We make sure your restoration job is done right the first time.