WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE WATER DAMAGE REBUILD PROCESS

The specific type and severity of water damage you encounter will directly influence the rebuild process in San Fernando, so it’s important to understand that every situation is different. While there isn’t a universal approach to handling water damage rebuilds, certain best practices will guide you through the process.

Here’s a detailed timeline of the events that might unfold as part of the rebuild, along with some helpful tips to make sure your insurance covers the necessary costs. Before any rebuilding can begin, a few key steps must be taken care of first.

These actions are integral to the claims process and could be critical in securing a fair settlement from your insurer.

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Water Damage Rebuild

Step 01

Protect yourself and your home

Water and electricity don’t mix, so if you’ve encountered water damage near outlets or light fixtures in your San Fernando home, it’s essential to switch off both the water and main power supply. Avoid touching any standing water until the electricity is completely turned off, and keep clear of rooms where the ceiling or floor may be sagging. If water has been present for more than 24 hours, either wear a surgical mask or refrain from entering the building to avoid inhaling harmful substances like mold, lead, or asbestos.

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Step 02

Hire a Plumber

Upon discovering water damage in your home or business in San Fernando, it’s important to bring in a licensed plumber to identify the source of the leak and document how long it’s been happening. Insurance companies typically won’t cover leaks that have been ongoing for more than 14 days, so having a professional’s input on the timeline of the leak is crucial for your claim.

Step 03

Collect Evidence

To file a claim with your insurance company’s adjuster, you’ll need to provide sufficient evidence. Take photos and videos of the leak while it’s happening, and also of the damage to your floors, furniture, and valuables. Be sure to hold onto any broken pipes, filtration systems, water heaters, garbage disposals, washing machines, or any other equipment that may have contributed to or caused the leak. Having this evidence on hand throughout the claims process will increase the chances of receiving coverage from your insurance provider.

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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 San Fernando, the first step will be for your insurance company to send an agent to inspect your property. This inspection, known as “field scoping,” is their opportunity to evaluate the cause of the leak, how it happened, and what needs to be fixed or replaced. The goal is to provide an accurate estimate of repair costs. While this process might seem straightforward, it can often benefit from the expertise of a licensed public adjuster who can advocate for your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Keep in mind that not all forms of water damage are covered by insurance. For instance, damages resulting from floods, poor maintenance, or long-term water issues may not be included in a standard homeowners policy. If flood damage is a concern, a separate flood insurance policy would be required to cover that. Public adjusters are invaluable in helping you understand the nuances of your coverage and ensuring that you aren’t caught off guard by exclusions.

Moreover, insurance companies may calculate the actual cash value of repairs, which can be adjusted for depreciation, potentially lowering the payout. A public adjuster can help ensure that repairs are fairly valued and that your claim is not underpaid.

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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 have captured the necessary photo and video evidence and have filed your insurance claim, there are various measures you can take to limit any additional damage to your belongings:

  • Dry off your furniture by wiping it down thoroughly
  • Open all cabinet drawers and closet doors to facilitate air flow
  • Prop up the cushions of your couch and chairs to prevent soaking
  • Place small objects like wood blocks, aluminum foil, or foam beneath furniture legs to avoid water damage
  • Relocate your valuable items, including photos, artwork, and jewelry, to a dry, secure area
  • Lift rugs, books, magazines, or any items with color away from the wet carpet or flooring to prevent staining
  • Hang curtains by looping them through a coat hanger, then place the hanger on the curtain rod to keep the curtains elevated

By taking these actions, you’ll be able to minimize additional damage to your possessions as you proceed with your insurance claim in San Fernando.

WATER DAMAGE REBUILD PROCESS

In San Fernando, mold can begin to grow within just 24 hours, making it essential to start the rebuild process as soon as possible. The timeline and steps involved in the process may differ based on your unique situation, but typically, water damage rebuilds in this region will include these key stages:

Water Clean-Up

Step 01

Water Clean-Up

In San Fernando, the first task following water damage is to remove the standing water. It’s best to call in a professional water damage mitigation company, as they have the necessary equipment and expertise to identify and address hidden water damage. Depending on the water source, it may contain sewage, mold, or harmful chemicals. Water damage technicians will wear protective gear to ensure the clean-up is safe and thorough while adhering to all required safety protocols.

Fixing The Leak

Step 02

Fixing The Leak

Before you can move forward with rebuilding, the leak must be fixed. In San Fernando, this is an important step, as leaving the leak unresolved can compromise the rebuild process. If your insurance agrees to cover repairs, they’ll typically pay for fixing the location of the leak but won’t cover full re-piping. A leak detection service or plumber will be called in by your insurance company to pinpoint the leak’s location and complete the necessary repairs.

Step 03

Dry Job

Once the leak has been repaired in your San Fernando home or business, the next critical step is to dry out the affected areas. This step is necessary to prevent further water damage and to stop the potential growth of mold, which can spread rapidly in damp environments. For the best outcome, it’s advisable to hire a professional water damage rebuild company. These professionals come equipped with specialized tools, including commercial-grade heaters, dehumidifiers, and air movers, designed to remove moisture and improve air circulation. Air scrubbers may also be employed to eliminate mold particles from the air, ensuring the environment remains safe and healthy during the rebuild process.

If you have filed a claim with your insurance company, they might recommend a water damage rebuild company to carry out the drying. However, it’s important to understand that many of these companies work directly for the insurance company. These businesses are often given a large number of jobs per month by insurers, which can influence the way they handle their work.

Insurance companies have the power to dictate how much is paid out on your water damage claim. Because of this, they can apply pressure to their water damage rebuild vendors, leading to potential shortcuts in the drying process in order to meet cost-saving goals.

Rather than automatically agreeing to the company recommended by your insurance, we suggest finding a licensed and independent water damage rebuild company. They will likely bill your insurance directly, ensuring that the work is done fairly and honestly. As long as the damage is covered by your policy, your insurance company should cover the cost of these services.

Step 04

Lead and asbestos abatement

While water damage rebuild companies in San Fernando typically prefer a minimally-invasive drying process, there are times when drywall, insulation, and other irreparable materials must be removed. If your property was built before 1990, the rebuild company may need to perform lead and asbestos testing, as these materials might require special handling during the reconstruction and drying process.

State laws vary on lead and asbestos removal, and certain states demand that only specially-certified contractors handle these materials. A trustworthy water damage rebuild company in San Fernando will be aware of the specific regulations in your area and will guide you through the proper steps if lead or asbestos are found during the rebuild.

Dry Job
Cleaning Personal Belongings
Cleaning Personal Belongings

Step 05

Cleaning Personal Belongings

After completing the drying process in San Fernando, your personal items will need antimicrobial treatment to safeguard against mold and bacterial growth. This includes carpets, clothing, furniture, curtains, and any other possessions that could be impacted by the water damage.

Step 06

Rebuild

Once the water has been cleared and the drying phase is completed in your San Fernando property, the rebuild process can commence. Depending on how severe the water damage is, you may need to remove, repair, or replace materials or structural components of your home that were affected by the leak. This could include drywall, cabinets, hardwood flooring, the foundation, and more.

While some water damage rebuild companies in San Fernando might offer both drying and repair services, it’s always a good idea to consult a reputable contractor for the rebuild work. Although your insurance may recommend a list of vendors that can handle both jobs, many of these vendors may lack the necessary expertise or may take shortcuts to save the insurance company money, leaving homeowners unhappy with the final results.

By selecting a trusted contractor in San Fernando, you’re more likely to achieve quality repairs. Moreover, with the estimate from your claims manager about what your insurance will cover for repairs, you’ll be able to negotiate with your contractor to ensure the work fits within your budget.

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Get Expert Help With Water Damage Insurance Claims in San Fernando

Public adjusters play a critical role in representing policyholders during the claims process. Unlike insurance adjusters who work on behalf of the insurance companies, a public adjuster’s job is to help you maximize the benefits you’re entitled to under your policy. Once you hire a public adjuster in San Fernando, you can rest easy knowing they’ll manage all communication with your insurance company, allowing you to concentrate on getting your life back to normal as quickly as possible.

A public adjuster will negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf to ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to. While it’s ideal to hire a public adjuster early in the claims process, they can still assist if:

    • Your insurance company is refusing to cover ALE (Additional Living Expenses) or Loss of Use expenses. A public adjuster can work with your insurance company to ensure that you’re reimbursed for living costs you’ve incurred during the water damage repairs.
    • You’re dissatisfied with the repairs being made to your home. A public adjuster can negotiate with your insurance company to ensure repairs are done to the “like-for-like” standard as stated in your policy.
    • The settlement offered by your insurance is insufficient to restore your home to its pre-loss condition. A public adjuster can work with your insurance company to maximize the settlement and restore your home or business.

You may wonder why you need a public adjuster when you can get your own repair estimates and deal directly with your insurance company.

While you certainly can navigate the claims process on your own, most homeowners in San Fernando aren’t equipped with the experience needed to handle water damage claims or interpret insurance policies and repair estimates effectively. A public adjuster brings the necessary expertise to ensure you get the best possible outcome.

Plus, because your home is often one of your most significant investments, it’s easy to become emotionally involved when facing water damage. A public adjuster’s mission is to maximize payouts for claims like water damage insurance claims, flood claims, property damage, water seepage, and more. They are knowledgeable in key water damage-related topics such as replacement costs, contingency fees, flood damages, and sewage backups, among others. Public adjusters have the skills to effectively communicate with insurance carriers, ensuring you receive the compensation you need for repairs.

It’s important to keep in mind that most contractors and flooring specialists are not licensed by the Department of Insurance and cannot legally represent you in your water damage claim. However, public adjusters in San Fernando are licensed by the state and authorized to provide legal representation throughout the entire claims process.

A public adjuster will be your advocate throughout the entire claim, offering advice, negotiating with the insurance company, and submitting all the required paperwork. Since public adjusters deal with the claims process and negotiate with insurance companies regularly, they are far more knowledgeable than homeowners when it comes to securing a fair settlement.

The best part? Public adjusters typically charge a small percentage of the settlement they secure from your insurance company, working hard to maximize your payout.

If you’ve experienced water damage in San Fernando, Excel Adjusters can help. With over 4,200 claims successfully settled, we’re dedicated to ensuring you get a fair settlement from your insurance company. Contact us today for a free consultation!

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