WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE WATER DAMAGE REBUILD PROCESS

Water damage can affect people in different ways, depending on the severity and nature of the damage. As a result, the water damage rebuild process is not the same for every case. Despite this variability, it is crucial to understand the standard steps involved in the water damage rebuild procedure, so you can be prepared and informed.

The following outlines a general timeline for the events that may take place during a water damage rebuild, along with some helpful tips to ensure that your insurance covers the necessary repairs.

Before any actual water damage rebuild work can commence, several preliminary steps must be taken. These initial actions are vital within the claims process, and they can be pivotal in helping you secure a just settlement from your insurance provider.

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Water Damage Rebuild

Step 01

Protect yourself and your home

It’s common knowledge that water and electricity don’t mix. As such, if water damage has affected outlets or light fixtures, it’s important to turn off both the water and main power supply. Avoid touching any standing water until the electricity has been switched off and steer clear of areas where the ceiling or floor shows signs of sagging. If the water has been present for over 24 hours, consider wearing a surgical mask or refrain from entering the building altogether to limit your exposure to mold, lead, or asbestos.

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Step 02

Hire a Plumber

Once you identify water damage in your home or business, it’s essential to hire a licensed plumber who can pinpoint the source of the leak and document how long it has been occurring. Insurance providers typically won’t cover leaks that have persisted for over 14 days, so having a licensed professional adjuster assess the start date of the leak can be vital for ensuring your claim is eligible for coverage.

Step 03

Collect Evidence

If you intend to file a claim with your insurance company’s adjuster in Los Angeles, it’s important to gather evidence. Capture photos and videos of the leak as it occurs, along with the damage to your floors, furniture, and any other valuables impacted by the leak. Additionally, keep any broken pipes, filtration systems, water heaters, garbage disposals, washing machines, or other appliances that caused or contributed to the leak. Retaining this evidence throughout the claims process can significantly help in securing coverage from your insurance company.

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Step 04

File A Claim And Expect Your Insurance Company To Do Their Research

When you submit a water damage insurance claim in Los Angeles, the insurance company will send an agent to evaluate the situation at your property. They will examine the origin of the leak, how it happened, and identify the necessary repairs or replacements. This assessment, called “field scoping,” is essential to determining an estimated cost for repairs. Although the claims process may appear simple, working with a licensed public adjuster in Los Angeles can ensure your interests are properly represented and help you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

It’s crucial to understand that not all forms of water damage are covered by standard insurance policies. For example, damages caused by flooding, lack of maintenance, or long-term leaks are usually excluded. To address flood damage, you would need a separate flood insurance policy, if you have one, and file a claim under that policy. A public adjuster in Los Angeles can assist in navigating these intricacies, helping you fully understand the coverage available to you.

Furthermore, insurance companies may adjust the value of the repairs based on depreciation, reducing the payout you ultimately receive. A public adjuster can ensure that you are provided with a fair assessment and advocate for the correct value of your claim.

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What Kind Of Water Damages Should Be Covered?

  • Sudden and accidental leaks that started less than 14 days ago
  • Slab leaks (unless specifically excluded in insurance policy)
  • Sudden dishwasher leaks
  • Water purifier leaks
  • Garbage disposal leaks
  • Rain and wind together
  • Burst pipes
  • Washing machine leak
  • Refrigerator leaks
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water damages should be covered

Step 05

Do Damage Control

Once you’ve gathered photo and video evidence and filed your claim, there are several actions you can take to minimize further damage to your belongings:

  • Dry off furniture with a towel
  • Open cabinet drawers and closet doors to allow airflow
  • Lift couch and chair cushions to allow them to dry
  • Place small wood blocks, aluminum foil, or foam under the legs of furniture
  • Relocate photos, artwork, jewelry, and other valuables to a dry, secure area
  • Remove rugs, books, magazines, and any colored items from wet floors or carpeting
  • Dry curtains by threading them through a coat hanger and hanging the hanger on the curtain rod

WATER DAMAGE REBUILD PROCESS

Mold can begin to develop within 24 hours, making it crucial to start the rebuild process as quickly as possible. While the specifics of the process can differ depending on the property owner’s situation, most water damage rebuilds generally involve the following steps:

Water Clean-Up

Step 01

Water Clean-Up

The first priority is to remove the water. It’s advisable to hire a professional water damage mitigation company for this task, as they possess the necessary equipment and are trained to identify hidden water damage. Additionally, depending on the source of the leak, the water may contain harmful substances such as sewage, urine, chemicals, mold, and other toxic materials. Professional water damage specialists have the proper protective gear to safely handle the cleanup process and are knowledgeable about the precautions required during this stage.

Fixing The Leak

Step 02

Fixing The Leak

Before proceeding with the rebuild, it’s essential to repair the leak. Failing to do so could jeopardize the entire rebuild process! If your insurance agrees to cover the repairs, they typically cover fixing the specific area of the leak but will not pay for re-piping the entire home or system. In most cases, insurance companies will hire a leak detection service or a specialized plumber to pinpoint the leak’s location and carry out the necessary repairs.

Step 03

Dry Job

Once the leak has been fixed, it’s important to dry out the affected areas to prevent further water damage and limit mold growth. For the best results, we highly recommend contacting a professional water damage rebuild company in Los Angeles. These specialists will use advanced equipment, including commercial-grade heaters, dehumidifiers, and air movers, to thoroughly remove moisture and enhance air circulation throughout the space. Additionally, air scrubbers may be utilized to eliminate any mold particles from the air, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment.

It’s worth noting that if you’ve filed a claim with your insurance company, they may suggest a water damage rebuild company to handle the drying process. However, it’s crucial to be aware that some water damage rebuild companies work primarily on behalf of insurance companies. These businesses often receive a significant volume of jobs—sometimes 30 or more each month—directly from insurers. Since insurance companies have significant influence over the payout process, they can sometimes exert pressure on these companies to take shortcuts in their drying methods to save costs.

Rather than automatically agreeing to use the water damage rebuild company recommended by your insurance, it’s advisable to find an independent, licensed water damage rebuild company in Los Angeles. A reputable company will be objective and focused on performing honest, thorough work. Most likely, the company you choose will bill your insurance company directly for their services. As long as the water damage is caused by an incident covered by your policy, your insurance should cover the associated costs.

Step 04

Lead and asbestos abatement

While most water damage rebuild companies aim to use a minimally invasive approach during the drying process, there are instances where drywall, insulation, or other materials that cannot be salvaged will need to be removed. If your home was built before 1990, the rebuild company may perform tests for lead and asbestos, as these materials may need to be addressed during the drying and reconstruction process.

Each state has its own set of regulations when it comes to the removal of lead and asbestos, and in some areas, only specially licensed contractors are permitted to handle these hazardous substances. A reputable water damage rebuild company will be familiar with the specific laws in your state and will assist you in navigating the lead or asbestos abatement process if any of these materials are found during the inspection.

Dry Job
Cleaning Personal Belongings
Cleaning Personal Belongings

Step 05

Cleaning Personal Belongings

Once the drying process is finished, it’s essential to apply antimicrobial treatments to your personal belongings to prevent mold and bacterial growth. This includes items like carpets, clothing, furniture, curtains, and any other possessions that may be vulnerable to contamination.

Step 06

Rebuild

Once the water has been removed and everything is thoroughly dried, it’s time to begin the rebuilding process. The extent of the damage will determine what needs to be done, which could include removing, repairing, or replacing various materials or structural elements in your home that were affected by the leak. Areas like drywall, cabinets, hardwood floors, and even the foundation may need attention.

While some water damage rebuild companies in Los Angeles offer both drying and repair services, it’s advisable to hire a skilled contractor who specializes in restoration. Although your insurance might provide a list of recommended vendors who handle both tasks, these companies may not have the required expertise or may prioritize cutting costs over quality. This often leads to unsatisfactory results for homeowners.

Opting for a contractor you trust ensures better-quality work and peace of mind. Furthermore, since you likely have an estimate from your claims manager outlining the coverage your insurance is willing to provide for repairs, you’ll be in a strong position to negotiate with your contractor to stay within that budget.

How a Water Damage Rebuild West Hollywood

Get Expert Help With Water Damage Insurance Claims

Public adjusters advocate for policyholders during the claims process. Unlike insurance adjusters, who work on behalf of insurance companies, public adjusters are dedicated to helping you secure the maximum benefits your policy allows. Once you enlist the help of a public adjuster, you no longer need to deal with the stress of negotiating with your insurance company. They will take over communication with the insurance provider, letting you focus on restoring your life to normal as quickly as possible.

Public adjusters have the expertise to negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company, ensuring you receive all the benefits you are entitled to. While it’s ideal to hire a public adjuster at the start of your water damage claim, they can also assist in various situations, such as:

    • If your insurance company is refusing to cover Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or Loss of Use costs, a public adjuster can step in to help you get reimbursed for any extra living expenses incurred during repairs.
    • If you’re dissatisfied with the repair work done on your home, a public adjuster can negotiate with your insurance company to ensure that repairs meet the “like-for-like” standard outlined in your policy.
    • If the settlement offered by your insurance doesn’t fully cover the restoration of your home or business to its pre-damage condition, a public adjuster can work with your insurance company to maximize your claim, helping you return your property to its original state.

As you navigate the claims process, you might be asking yourself—why should I hire a public adjuster when I can gather my own repair estimates and directly communicate with the insurance company?

While it’s entirely possible to handle the claims process on your own, many homeowners lack the experience needed to manage water damage claims, let alone the intricate details of insurance policies and home repairs. Additionally, given that a home is often one of the most valuable assets a person owns, it’s natural to become emotionally involved in the situation. Public adjusters, on the other hand, specialize in maximizing payouts for water damage claims, property insurance claims, flood-related claims, and more. They also possess extensive knowledge in areas like replacement cost, contingency fees, sewage backups, flood damages, and other critical aspects of water damage. They know the right language to use when communicating with insurance carriers to ensure you receive the compensation necessary for repairs.

Furthermore, it’s important to note that while most contractors and flooring specialists are not licensed by the Department of Insurance and cannot legally represent you in your water damage claim, public adjusters are fully licensed by the state and are legally authorized to provide representation. This means they can act on your behalf throughout the claims process, giving you legal support and helping secure a fair settlement.

In the end, a public adjuster will be there with you every step of the way to provide guidance, offer advice, negotiate with your insurance company, and handle all necessary paperwork. Since public adjusters have extensive experience with the claims process and deal with insurance companies regularly, they possess far more knowledge than the average homeowner when it comes to securing a fair settlement.

What’s even better? A public adjuster typically charges a small percentage based on the settlement they negotiate, working tirelessly to ensure your claim is maximized to its full potential.

If you’ve encountered water damage at your home or business, ​Excel Adjusters in Los Angeles​ is here to help. With over 4,200 claims successfully settled, we’re dedicated to securing a fair adjustment from your insurance company. ​Reach out to us today for a free consultation.

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