Our last blog article discussed being prepared for storms that can cause flooding. What now once you had a flood?
1. Inform your insurance company that you had a flood if your policy does have flood protection.
2. Assess your home. Be sure to look at if the structure is stable, if the power is still on, is there a gas leak, is the flood water contaminated? If the power is out or there is a gas leak, notify the proper provider immediately. If you are not sure if the structure is stable, get a safety inspector to come evaluate it.
3. Once you determine it is safe to remain inside the structure, call ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens to come help extract any standing water and start drying out your home or business.
4. Once you have your claim filed and your water damage mitigation crew is on the way, take a moment to collect your belongings in the affected areas. Do not unplug anything wet, but do remove anything you can reach safely. Put them somewhere unaffected so they can start drying out to prevent further damage or potential mold growth. Focus on items that are sensitive to water such as unplugged electronics and paper items such as books and documents.
5. Your water mitigation technicians will extract any standing water, remove affected materials that cannot be salvaged and set equipment to dry out the structure. They will guide you through the process and keep your adjuster informed so you can focus on recovery from your loss.
6. Once all the floodwater and affected materials are removed, the water mitigation technicians will clean and sanitize the areas to ensure that they are safe for you and ready for repairs when drying is complete.
7. DO NOT THROW AWAY ANY FLOOD DAMAGED ITEMS! It is common for homeowners to dispose of contents that were damaged in the flood, but you must document the items for the insurance adjuster before disposal. Documentation includes photos of all damaged items showing the water damage, photos of the items before the loss if you have them, receipts for purchase of the items if you have them, and estimates for repairs if the items can be restored. ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens documents the affected materials pertaining to the home itself (flooring, walls, ceilings, etc.) before and after removal for your insurance adjuster so you can focus on your personal items here.
This is a lot of work that is done in a short time so it can be very stressful for you, the home or business owner. ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens puts a lot of focus on customer care so you know what is happening and what to expect. We also keep your adjuster informed daily to ensure that all work performed is approved and covered under your claim. This process helps us make sure all questions are addressed and you know how to proceed once we are finished with drying out your home or business after the flood. Don't have an insurance claim? We still keep you informed every step of the way and use industry approved guidelines and pricing to help you get dried out and on the road to recovery.
