In the “old days” that most of us don’t remember, when people needed water for cooking, drinking, washing, etc., they would go outside to a well and pump or draw water in a bucket. If they needed hot water, the well water was put into a kettle over a fire. Not easy, but the system worked.
Fast forward to today. Isn’t it nice to be able to turn on a faucet and have hot or cold running water in our homes? Of course, it’s not so nice when that running water runs where it’s not supposed to. Unfortunately, the penalty we pay for indoor plumbing is the potential for unwanted water intrusion into our homes or businesses. The good news is that there are remedies for water problems.
Dangers from water intrusion
Many people are not aware of the tremendous damage that water can cause in buildings. Water has been called “the universal solvent” because over time it can dissolve even stone! Round river rocks did not start out being round. They have been affected by eons of water flow. The sand at the beach used to be larger rocks before the water wore it down to small particles. Of course, most of the materials in our buildings are not as durable as stone. Wood, probably the most predominant building material we use, can easily be damaged by water. Have you ever seen a covered bridge? The purpose of the cover is to prolong the life of the wooden bridge. Water promotes wood rot.
First: Stop the water
So, what do you do first if water floods your home? Obviously, you should stop the water flow. That may be as easy as turning off a valve beneath a sink or toilet. In some cases, however--such as a broken pipe--the water supply line to the house may need to be shut off. Most houses have a water shutoff valve in the house (usually near the water heater). If not, then there is a water shutoff valve outside. Do you know how to turn off the water to your house? The time to locate the water shutoff valve is before you need it. When water is flooding into your house is not the best time to learn how to stop it. Do a little exploring now to reduce heartache later. Once you find the main water valve, label it with a tag or sign. You may not be home when the water needs to be shut off, and the babysitter might need to do it.
Second: Begin structural drying
Once the water is stopped, a water damage mitigation can begin. Mitigation is “prevention of further damage.” Time is critical when your home is wet. That’s why we at ServiceMaster of Gwinnett and ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens are on call 24 hours a day to respond to drying needs. Water damage mitigation involves the proper drying of structural materials. Drying must be started quickly, but it must not be done too rapidly or too slowly. Typically, most wet houses can be dried properly within three to five days. In order for that to happen, however, the professional mitigator must find all areas that are wet, such as inside walls and ceilings and under floor surfaces. Knowing how water travels in a structure is critical to proper mitigation. Each wet area must be addressed properly and dried in coordination with all other areas. This is not a job for the “rip and tear artist”. Carpet can sometimes be saved, although the pad underneath it typically cannot. Walls or ceilings may need to be opened and insulation removed. Ceramic flooring may need to be removed if water has saturated the subfloor underneath it. Water damage mitigation requires specialized training and equipment to be done properly.
The professional mitigator will, in addition to starting the drying process, gather information and document the loss for the insurance company. Sometimes the most agonizing part of the water loss process is getting the insurance company to pay for the damage in a timely manner. An insurance adjuster must develop a file showing the source of the water and the extent of the damage. He or she must then determine the coverage defined in the insurance policy, as well as any deductible owed by the customer. Since ServiceMaster has national agreements with all of the major insurance companies, our expert mitigators can expedite the claims process for you, because we have an established trust relationship with your insurer. We follow defined procedures for uploading information and photos directly to the insurance company, so that in most cases the adjuster does not need to visit the loss site in order to issue payment. We are the on-site eyes and ears of the insurance company.
Third: Begin repairs
When should you call a plumber? The answer is: Just as soon as you have made arrangements with ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens. Starting water damage mitigation with a professional provider is crucial to good results. Sure, the leak needs to be repaired, but the repair is not as urgent as preventing further damage from the water intrusion. Don’t know a plumber? Often your insurance adjuster or agent can recommend one who is on a program with your insurer. Sometimes friends or neighbors can recommend someone they have used.
Caution: Don’t get scammed
There is a scam in the water damage mitigation industry that most people are not aware of. Some independent water damage mitigation companies who do not have access to national insurance programs market to plumbers, promising to pay a big “finder’s fee” to a plumber who will recommend them. The mitigator may not be well-trained and may not be able to expedite the claims process with the insurance company, but once they get on-site and begin work, they can stick you with a big bill for services. If your insurance company refuses to pay, you may be stuck with part or all of the bill and a big hassle. Remember: Plumbers are usually not the best advisers about water damage mitigation providers.
Why use ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens?
Your home is probably your biggest investment, and you need it taken care of properly. ServiceMaster has been vetted by insurance companies who know that we will do the job right. We use industry standard procedures and prices to get you back to normal as quickly as possible. If you are unfortunate enough to have water damage to your property, remember these steps to take:
1. Stop the leak!
2. Call ServiceMaster of Gwinnett ((770) 962-0110) or ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens ((706) 543-3333).
3. Call your insurance claims phone number. Tell them you called ServiceMaster.
4. Call a repair person.
We hope your life is not interrupted by a water damage problem, but if it is, we’re here to help.
