Who Should I Call When My Property is Flooded From Extreme Weather Conditions?

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage can harm your property, and cost a lot of money if it is not handled correctly. Call SERVPRO to mediate the damage.

A Complete Guide to Storm Damage Remediation in Tallahassee

In a violent weather event, you should notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. If you notice any burst water mains or felled trees, it is beneficial to contact the water-company and environmental agency here in Tallahassee. Our restorers can mitigate massive amounts of loss at your property, providing that we receive your call and arrange service quickly.

Are you a certified water restoration company?

SERVPRO technicians undergo extensive training to become part of our storm damage team here in Tallahassee. Our qualifications come from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certifications (IICRC) which is a nationally recognized body. Our experienced roster covers water restoration technicians (WRT) as well as applied structural drying (ASD) and applied microbial remediation technicians (AMRT.) While WRT technicians are part of our core services, and adverse weather event can throw up many different challenges involving microbial growth and water migration. By utilizing a diverse set of technicians with a range of skills, you can ensure the property has a strong chance of returning to its original condition.

What coverage am I likely to have for storm-related damages?

You should check your insurance policy before the winter months to ensure that you have the proper coverage for these types of emergency. These areas include:

• The structure as well as the crawl space and foundation of your home
• Wiring, as well as plumbing, can malfunction in wild weather. Make sure your policy covers electric and plumbing systems.
• Essential appliances such as your refrigerator, stove, washing machine, dishwasher and dryer.
• Structural contents like permanent carpets as well as panels or other materials used in the building construction. 
• Detached garages generally need to be listed under a separate insurance policy.

How do I clean up my home after a water intrusion or flood?

Cleanup after a severe flood in Tallahassee can be a time consuming and arduous process. You can undertake this task in three key stages. The first is emergency services which mainly focus on preventing further loss rather than reversing existing damage. SERVPRO emergency units can drain your property using pumps for large amounts of standing waters and extractors for smaller amounts. 

Floodwaters have high levels of contamination. Water contamination can affect both your possessions and the building materials in your home. Our technicians can wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely enter a building that may contain raw sewage, herbicides, viruses, debris or saltwater. WRT technicians have cross-training to aid them with biohazardous substances. We can seal affected areas, decontaminate and remove any salvageable items. Doing so can remove the risk of spreading contaminants or other debris into unaffected areas of the house.

When both stages are complete, we can undertake the restoration. Restoration involves repairing any material harm to the property. These steps may include installation of drywall and the repair or replacement of permanent fittings like blinds and carpets. Depending on the scope of harm, restoration may take several days or several months. Properties with expensive material construction, like hardwood flooring and tiles, generally take longer and require more expertise to restore fully.

Do I have to wait for a quote from my insurance adjuster before restoration can begin?

In situations that require significant emergency mitigation, you may not need to wait for an estimate. When a property is flooded, it may be impossible to assess the damages accurately until certain procedures take place, such as extracting water. There may also be significant damages that take time to assess. These may include water migrating into wall cavities. We can begin right away with a clear record of what we have done prior, during and after the adjuster estimate.

What procedures does an adjuster take to estimate the overall costing in a flood restoration?

• Replacement Cost Value (RCV) is generally used for building materials or structural damage. The adjuster is assessing how much it costs to replace or remodel the building without factoring in depreciation.
• Actual Cash Value (ACV) estimates the expenses of a replacement but, crucially, subtracts a percentage based on the age of the item and fair wear-and-tear. A fitted carpet, for example, could depreciate significantly over ten years. Your possessions are valued at their ACV.

How can you help me to keep my claims expenses low?

High expense claims can see increases in insurance rates. At SERVPRO, we operate with a restore over replace mentality. In most situations, we can seek to restore your contents to a preloss condition using cleaning or repair. Many items of furniture can benefit from our drying and cleaning methods to be restored without watermarks or other blemishes. We can thoroughly clean fabrics using suspension washing technology in our Esporta washing machines. Even wooden furnishings can frequently benefit from sanding and refinishing of the surface. 

For help recovering your losses after a flood or storm, contact SERVPRO of North Leon County at (850) 536-6599