Water Damage Rebuild

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE WATER DAMAGE REBUILD PROCESS


Since the type and extent of water damage will be different for everyone, the typical process for water damage rebuild will vary. However, even though the rebuild process is not one-size-fits-all, it’s important to know the practices that make up a standard water damage rebuild job.

The following is a timeline of events that may occur during the water damage rebuild process, as well as some tips & tricks to help ensure coverage from your insurance company.

Before water damage rebuild can begin, there are a few steps that should be taken first. These steps are an important part of the claims process and may help you in receiving a fair settlement from your insurer.

Protect Yourself And Your Home
Hire A Plumber
Collect Evidence
File A Claim And Expect Your Insurance Company To Do Their Research
Do Damage Control

WATER DAMAGE REBUILD PROCESS


Since mold can start to grow within 24 hours, it’s important to begin the rebuild process as soon as possible. As mentioned previously, this process may vary based on your individual circumstances, but most water damage rebuild projects will include the following steps:

Step 1: Water Clean-Up

First things first, the water needs to be removed. We recommend hiring a professional water damage mitigation company for this, as they not only have the proper equipment for the job, but are trained to know where to look for hidden water damage. In addition, depending on the source of the leak, the water involved may contain sewage, urine, chemicals, mold, and other health-hazardous toxins. Professional water damage technicians have special protective gear to wear while cleaning up your home or business and know what precautions should be taken during the process.

Step 2: Fixing The Leak

Before you can move forward with the rebuild, you need to fix the leak. Otherwise you run the risk of the rebuild job being ruined! If your insurance agrees to provide coverage, they usually will pay for repairing the exact location of the leak but not re-piping the entire home or pipeline. To do this, insurance companies will most likely hire a leak detection company or specialized plumber to identify the exact location of the leak and complete the repairs.

Step 3: Dry Job

Once the leak is fixed, the damaged areas need to be dried out. This prevents further water damage and can impede mold growth. For best results, a water damage rebuild company should be contacted for this process. They will use professional equipment such as commercial-grade heaters, dehumidifiers, and air movers to remove moisture and increase circulation. Air scrubbers may also be used to remove mold particles from the air.

We should note—if you’ve filed a claim with your insurance, your insurance company may recommend a water damage rebuild company to complete the drying process. However, you should be aware that there are water damage rebuild companies that work strictly on the insurance company’s side. These organizations are regularly fed jobs, sometimes 30+ jobs per month, from insurance companies.

Since insurance companies have the authority to dictate how much gets paid out during your water damage claim, they are able to use leverage against their water damage rebuild vendors. This means a water damage rebuild company hired through your insurance may look for shortcuts in the drying process to appease an insurance company that they regularly work with.

Instead of automatically agreeing to use the water damage rebuild company recommended by your insurance, we suggest finding a licensed and objective water damage rebuild company that is able to do honest work. The water damage rebuild company of your choosing will most likely bill your insurance company directly. As long as the water damage is caused by an incident that is covered in your policy, your insurance company should cover payment for this service.

Step 4: Lead And Asbestos Abatement

Although most water damage rebuild companies will try to take a minimally-invasive approach to the drying process, in some cases, drywall, insulation, and any other non-salvageable materials will need to be removed. If your house was built prior to 1990, the rebuild company may test your home for lead and asbestos, as these materials may need to be handled during the drying and rebuilding process.

Each state has different rules and regulations regarding lead and asbestos removal, but some states require specially-licensed contractors to work with these hazardous materials. Any reputable water damage rebuild company will know the rules for your specific state and will be able to help guide you through the asbestos or lead abatement process if either of those materials are found to be present.

Step 5: Cleaning Personal Belongings

After the dry job is complete, your personal belongings should be given antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold and bacterial growth. This may include carpets, clothing, furniture, curtains, and any other items that could be affected.

Step 6: Rebuild

After water has been removed and the drying process is complete, the actual rebuild work can begin. Depending on the extent of the damage, the rebuild process will involve removing, repairing, or replacing any materials or structural elements of your home that were affected by the leak. This may include drywall, cabinets, hardwood floors, the home’s foundation, and more.

Although some water damage rebuild companies can complete the drying process and also repair or replace affected areas of your home, we recommend consulting a well-reputed professional contractor for the job. Your insurance may recommend a list of vendors who will offer to do both the drying and repair job, but often times these vendors either lack expertise or will try to cut corners in order to save the insurance company money. Either way, many homeowners end up unsatisfied with the work.

By choosing a professional contractor that you trust, you’re more likely to get quality results. Plus, since you should already have an estimate from your claims manager as to what your insurance company is willing to pay for repairs, you can negotiate with your chosen contractor to fit within that budget.

Water Damage Rebuild Los Angeles Public Adjuster Can Help

HOW A WATER DAMAGE REBUILD LOS ANGELES PUBLIC ADJUSTER CAN HELP


Public adjusters represent the policyholder during the claims process. Unlike insurance adjusters that work for insurance companies, a public adjuster works to help you get the maximum benefits from your policy. Once you hire a public adjuster, you no longer have the stress of battling with your insurance company. Public adjusters will be the ones communicating with the insurance company throughout the entire claim, allowing you to focus on getting your life back to normal as quickly as possible.

Public adjusters are able to negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf to get you the benefits you’re entitled to. Although it’s recommended to contact a public adjuster at the beginning of your water damage claim, public adjusters can also help if:

  • Your insurance company is refusing to cover ALE or Loss of Use expenses. A public adjuster can work with your insurance company to get you reimbursed for any living costs you incurred during your water damage repairs.
  • You are not happy with the repair of your home. A public adjuster can negotiate with your insurance company in order to get the “like-for-like” standard outlined in your policy.
  • The settlement offered by your insurance is not enough to cover pre-loss conditions. A public adjuster can negotiate with your insurance company to maximize your claim settlement, allowing you to return your home or business to its original condition.
Your insurance company is refusing to cover ALE
Water-Damage-Rebuild

Wherever you’re at in the claims process, you may be wondering—why do I need a public adjuster when I can get my own repair estimates and talk with the insurance company myself?

While it’s true that you can go through the claims process solo, most homeowners do not have experience dealing with water damage claims or in-depth knowledge of insurance policies and home repair.

Plus, since a person’s home is often one of their most valued assets, it’s easy to get emotionally involved. Additionally, public adjusters do their best to maximize payouts for insurance claims like water damage insurance claim, damage claims, property insurance claim, flood claim, water seepage, and more. A public adjuster is also knowledgeable on topics surrounding water damage like replacement cost, contingency fee, flood damages, sewage backup, and many more. They know how to speak to insurance carriers to do everything in their power to get you the money you need for your repairs.

What’s more, most contractors and floor experts are not licensed by the Department of Insurance and are not legally allowed to represent you on your water damage claim. Public adjusters, on the other hand, are licensed by the state and can provide legal representation for you throughout the claims process.

Finally, a public adjuster will be there throughout the entire claim to guide and advise you, negotiate with your insurance company, and manage and submit any necessary paperwork. Since public adjusters understand the claims process and negotiate with insurance companies on a daily basis, they have a lot more knowledge than homeowners when it comes to getting a fair settlement.

The best part? A public adjuster only charges a small percentage based on what they settle for with your insurance and will do everything in their power to maximize your claim settlement.

If you’ve experienced water damage to your home or business, ​Excel Adjusters​ can help. We’ve settled over 4,200 claims and are committed to getting our clients a fair adjustment from their insurance company. ​Contact us today for a free consultation.

Call:(213) 800-3333
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