Mitigate Damage While Waiting for Adjuster

8/27/2022 (Permalink)

Rising water in your Scullville, NJ, home can result in significant flood damage. Once it is safe to re-enter your home, you want to start getting your home back to normal as soon as possible. Unfortunately, your flood insurance company may have been bombarded with claims, resulting in having to wait. Although repairs can’t be made quite yet, there are a few ways to minimize the damage from spreading and ensure a smoother claim process.

Best Practices

As water sits, it can be causing more damage. To avoid that from happening, below are some best practices after a flood.

Document Everything – You will need to wait to throw anything away, but you can start removing saturated items. Before doing that, take pictures and videos of all the affected areas and items.
Start Removing Water – The sooner the water is out, the faster the cleaning process can happen. If you get the go-ahead from your insurer, use a wet vacuum to start the water removal process. If humidity levels outside are low, open doors and windows to increase airflow.
Mitigate Mold Damage – Mold grows fast, often within 48 hours. If possible, remove wet items, such as clothing, bedding and rugs, as soon as possible to minimize growth and potentially salvage more of your belongings.
Ensure Property Is Secure – Depending on the situation, there may be broken windows or roof damage. Temporarily board up windows and secure a tarp in the attic to prevent additional moisture seeping in.

Call the Professionals
Although you have to wait to see what your flood insurance will cover, calling a water damage and restoration specialist gives you a better idea of the extent of the damage. After the inspection, they will provide a plan of action for restoring your home. A trusted professional will also have the know-how regarding working with insurers.
Flood insurance can be a lifesaver, but it may still require waiting. While it’s always best to verify what can be done from your insurer, a few small steps may minimize the damage.