WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE WATER DAMAGE REBUILD PROCESS

Water damage can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances, and the rebuild process in Pacific Palisades will reflect that variation. While there is no single blueprint for every situation, understanding the standard practices that go into a water damage rebuild is essential for anyone navigating this process.

The following is an overview of the typical events you may encounter during the rebuild, paired with advice to help you secure proper insurance coverage for your repairs. Before any physical rebuilding begins, there are a few preliminary steps to consider.

These are key parts of the claims process and could help ensure you receive a fair and adequate settlement from your insurance provider.

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Water Damage Rebuild

Step 01

Protect yourself and your home

If you’ve experienced water damage near outlets or light fixtures in your Pacific Palisades property, remember that water and electricity are a dangerous combination. It’s essential to immediately shut off both the main power and water supply. Avoid any contact with standing water until the electricity is cut off and stay away from rooms with sagging ceilings or floors. If the water has been present for over 24 hours, wear a surgical mask or refrain from entering to avoid inhaling any mold, lead, or asbestos that may have developed.

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Step 02

Hire a Plumber

Once you detect water damage in your Pacific Palisades property, it’s crucial to engage a licensed plumber who can locate the source of the leak and assess how long the issue has persisted. Insurance typically won’t cover leaks that have been ongoing for more than 14 days, making it essential to have a professional plumber verify the timeline for your claim.

Step 03

Collect Evidence

When you’re preparing to file a claim with your insurance adjuster, it’s essential to gather evidence. Capture both photos and videos of the ongoing leak and the resulting damage to your floors, furnishings, and other valuables. Additionally, keep any broken pipes, filtration systems, water heaters, washing machines, or other appliances that could have caused or contributed to the damage. Having this kind of evidence will help ensure that your insurance company provides the coverage you’re entitled to.

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Step 04

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

After you file your water damage claim in Pacific Palisades, your insurance company will send an agent to conduct an inspection. This inspection, called “field scoping,” will assess the cause of the leak, how it occurred, and what areas need repairs or replacement. This step is necessary for estimating repair costs. While the insurance claim process may appear simple, enlisting a licensed public adjuster ensures your interests are fully represented and that you receive fair compensation.

Remember that water damage isn’t always covered by insurance. For instance, damage from floods, poor maintenance, or long-standing leaks generally isn’t included under a typical homeowners policy. If flood-related damage has occurred, you would need to file a separate claim under a flood insurance policy, provided you have one. Public adjusters are experts in navigating the complex waters of insurance policies and can clarify what is and isn’t covered.

Additionally, many insurance companies calculate the actual cash value of repairs by factoring in depreciation, which can lower the final settlement amount. Public adjusters can ensure that depreciation is fairly assessed, helping you get the most accurate compensation for your water damage.

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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

After gathering photo and video evidence of the water damage and filing your claim, it’s crucial to act quickly to reduce further harm to your belongings. Here are some important steps to take:

  • Wipe off any excess moisture from your furniture
  • Open cabinet drawers and closet doors to allow air to circulate and speed up the drying process
  • Lift your cushions off chairs and sofas to prevent them from soaking up more water
  • Place small blocks of wood, aluminum foil, or foam beneath the legs of your furniture to keep them from coming into direct contact with water
  • Move valuable items such as photographs, paintings, and jewelry to a dry, safe location
  • Remove colored items, including rugs, books, and magazines, from wet floors or carpet to avoid staining
  • Dry your curtains by threading them through a coat hanger and hanging the hanger on the curtain rod

These actions will help you control the damage and protect your belongings while your water damage claim is being processed in Pacific Palisades.

WATER DAMAGE REBUILD PROCESS

For residents of Pacific Palisades, mold growth can begin within 24 hours of water exposure, so it’s important to act quickly and begin the rebuild process. Though the specifics may differ depending on the severity of the damage, most water damage rebuild projects in this area typically follow these essential steps:

Water Clean-Up

Step 01

Water Clean-Up

For Pacific Palisades residents dealing with water damage, the priority should always be to remove the water. It’s strongly recommended to engage a professional water damage mitigation company, as they possess the right tools and knowledge to detect hidden water damage. Depending on the source, the water could be contaminated with harmful substances such as mold, sewage, or chemicals. These technicians are trained and equipped to wear protective gear during the process, ensuring both your home and health are safeguarded.

Fixing The Leak

Step 02

Fixing The Leak

Once the water has been removed, the next step is addressing the leak. For those in Pacific Palisades, fixing the leak is essential before proceeding with the rebuild. If the leak is not repaired, it can undermine the effectiveness of any rebuilding efforts. Your insurance company will typically cover the repair of the leak itself but will not pay for re-piping the whole system. A leak detection service or plumber will be hired by your insurer to locate and repair the leak properly.

Step 03

Dry Job

After the leak has been fixed in your Pacific Palisades home or business, it’s crucial to begin drying the affected areas. This step prevents additional water damage and inhibits mold growth, which can develop rapidly in the presence of moisture. For optimal results, it is best to contact a professional water damage rebuild company. These specialists have access to the necessary tools, such as commercial-grade heaters, dehumidifiers, and air movers, which help to remove moisture and improve air circulation. Additionally, air scrubbers might be used to eliminate mold particles from the air, further ensuring a safe environment during the rebuild process.

If you’ve filed a claim with your insurance company, they may suggest a water damage rebuild company for the drying process. However, be cautious, as many of these companies are contracted to work primarily with insurers. These vendors often receive a high volume of jobs, which could influence the quality of their work.

Because insurance companies control how much gets paid out for water damage claims, they may apply pressure on their water damage rebuild vendors to cut costs. This could lead to the vendor taking shortcuts during the drying process, which may impact the quality of the work done.

Rather than simply agreeing to use the company suggested by your insurance, we recommend hiring a licensed and independent water damage rebuild company. This ensures that you receive honest, high-quality work. The rebuild company will likely bill your insurance company directly, and as long as the water damage is covered under your policy, your insurance should pay for the service.

Step 04

Lead and asbestos abatement

In Pacific Palisades, water damage rebuild companies often aim to minimize disruption during the drying phase, but when necessary, they will remove drywall, insulation, and other materials that can’t be salvaged. Homes built prior to 1990 may require additional lead and asbestos testing, as these materials need to be carefully handled during both the drying and rebuilding process.

Different states have various regulations regarding the removal of lead and asbestos, and some require that only certified contractors manage these hazardous materials. A trusted water damage rebuild company in Pacific Palisades will understand the local rules and will walk you through the process of lead and asbestos abatement if either material is present in your home.

Dry Job
Cleaning Personal Belongings
Cleaning Personal Belongings

Step 05

Cleaning Personal Belongings

Once your Pacific Palisades home is dry, it’s vital to treat your belongings with antimicrobial solutions to avoid mold and bacterial contamination. This process should include carpets, clothing, furniture, curtains, and any other items that may have been exposed to the water damage.

Step 06

Rebuild

After the water has been removed and the drying process is completed in your Pacific Palisades home, the rebuild work can proceed. Depending on the level of damage, this process may involve removing, repairing, or replacing structural elements and materials that have been affected by the leak. This can include drywall, cabinetry, hardwood floors, and even the foundation of your home.

Although some water damage rebuild companies in Pacific Palisades may offer both the drying and repair services, we recommend seeking out a skilled and reputable professional contractor for the rebuild. While your insurance may provide a list of preferred vendors who can perform both tasks, these vendors might not have the expertise necessary, or they may cut corners in an effort to reduce costs for the insurance company, which can lead to dissatisfaction with the results.

By working with a trusted contractor in Pacific Palisades, you can ensure high-quality results. Additionally, with an estimate from your claims manager on what the insurance will cover for repairs, you can negotiate with your contractor to ensure the project stays within budget.

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Get Expert Help With Water Damage Insurance Claims in Pacific Palisades

Public adjusters are essential to representing policyholders during the claims process. Unlike insurance adjusters, who represent the interests of the insurance company, a public adjuster works to help you get the maximum benefits from your policy. Once you hire a public adjuster in Pacific Palisades, they will handle all communication with your insurance company, leaving you free to focus on getting your life back to normal as quickly as possible.

Public adjusters are skilled at negotiating with your insurance company to secure the benefits you’re entitled to. While it’s best to contact a public adjuster early in the claims process, they can still assist you if:

    • Your insurance company is refusing to cover ALE (Additional Living Expenses) or Loss of Use expenses. A public adjuster can step in to ensure you get reimbursed for living costs incurred during water damage repairs.
    • You are unhappy with the repairs being done to your home. A public adjuster can work with your insurance company to ensure the repairs meet the “like-for-like” standard stated in your policy.
    • The settlement offered by your insurance isn’t enough to restore your home to its pre-loss condition. A public adjuster can help maximize your claim settlement and restore your home or business.

You may ask why a public adjuster is necessary when you can handle the insurance company directly and get your own repair estimates.

While you certainly can manage the claims process on your own, most homeowners in Pacific Palisades lack the experience needed to navigate water damage claims or interpret the fine print of insurance policies and repair estimates. A public adjuster brings the expertise you need to ensure a fair outcome.

Plus, given that your home is often one of your most treasured possessions, it’s natural to become emotionally invested in the process when dealing with water damage. Public adjusters work tirelessly to secure the maximum payout for claims related to water damage, property damage, flood claims, water seepage, and more. They are also experts in various aspects of water damage claims, such as replacement costs, contingency fees, flood damages, and sewage backups. Public adjusters know how to effectively engage with insurance carriers to make sure you get the funds needed to cover your repairs.

It’s essential to remember that most contractors and flooring experts are not licensed by the Department of Insurance and, therefore, cannot legally represent you on your water damage claim. In contrast, public adjusters in Pacific Palisades are licensed by the state and legally authorized to represent you during the claims process.

Throughout the claims process, a public adjuster will guide you, negotiate with your insurance company, and ensure that all necessary paperwork is submitted. Public adjusters have extensive experience in dealing with insurance companies on a daily basis, which gives them an edge in securing a fair settlement compared to homeowners navigating this process on their own.

The best part? Public adjusters typically charge a small percentage of the settlement they negotiate on your behalf, and their goal is to maximize your claim settlement.

If your home or business in Pacific Palisades has suffered water damage, Excel Adjusters can help. With over 4,200 claims settled, we’re committed to getting you a fair settlement from your insurance company. Contact us today for a free consultation!

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Call:(213) 800-3333
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