Frequently Asked Questions
There are many disasters and emergencies that could lead to you requiring a restoration expert as soon as possible.
It can be incredibly difficult and frustrating to deal with damage to your property, but it is important to understand and respond to your fire & smoke damage incident as soon as possible. The same is true for mold damage incidents as well.
There are still common questions that homeowners may have to ask. For example, when is it time to contact a mold remediation company? What steps can you take to protect yourself and others, and what should you be doing immediately? How do you know whether a water damage incident is serious? Here, we examine frequently asked questions about incidents like these.
Frequently Asked Questions about Water Damage
Some water damage incidents may only be a small inconvenience that causes several hours of discomfort. Other major water damage incidents may render your home or business uninhabitable. Here are some commonly asked questions that can help you understand your water damage situation with more clarity.
The first step is to identify the source of the water damage source and do your best to contain the water damage using the tools you may have available in your own home or business. The source of the water damage is a factor that helps insurance companies determine coverage.
There are different types and sources for water damage.. In some cases, the water damage may be the result of heavy rains or a thunderstorm. This is obviously a much different situation than a leaked pipe or a sewer back-up. For example, an insurance company may pay for water damage resulting from a sudden and accidental loss. However, they are less likely to pay for water damage or mold damage resulting from leaving a faucet on for too long as a lot of insurance companies don’t offer mold coverage.
The first and most important step is to turn off the power as soon as possible. However, do not attempt to turn off the power if it requires you to stand or enter wet areas in your home or business. Ventilate your home by opening all of the doors and windows.
Also, you may want to use fans or dehumidifiers to accelerate the drying out process. At this point, you should contact a water damage company as soon as possible, so secondary damage does not occur, such as mold growth and additional structural damage.
Water damage is about more than the damage to your possessions and your property. It’s also essential that you act quickly. If not, then the water damage can cause immediate structural damage, and secondary damage within hours.
Also, mold damage can begin within 24-48 hours of a flood, thunderstorm, or other water damage incident.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire & Smoke Damage
Your first task is to identify the scope of the damage. Once you understand the scope, begin documenting the fire damage (assuming that it is still safe to remain in the house or business). The best way to document the damage is to take photographs of the fire damage. Once this is accomplished, contact fire & smoke damage professionals as soon as possible.
There are different types and sources for water damage.. In some cases, the water damage may be the result of heavy rains or a thunderstorm. This is obviously a much different situation than a leaked pipe or a sewer back-up. For example, an insurance company may pay for water damage resulting from a sudden and accidental loss. However, they are less likely to pay for water damage or mold damage resulting from leaving a faucet on for too long as a lot of insurance companies don’t offer mold coverage.
Homeowners should check their entire home to fully understand the extent of the fire & smoke damage. You should also check for wall damage or discoloration, which might only appear more obvious after several days.
Smoke specifically tarnishes materials such as metal and glass. Lastly, If there is an odor in your home, determine whether the odor is evident throughout your entire property or contained in a specific area.
Also, you may want to use fans or dehumidifiers to accelerate the drying out process. At this point, you should contact a water damage company as soon as possible, so secondary damage does not occur, such as mold growth and additional structural damage.
If there is an odor in your home or business, figure out whether the odor is evident throughout the entire property or contained in a specific area. As soon as it is safe, all doors and windows should be opened as soon as possible for ventilation.
What happens if your property doesn’t suffer from any fire damage, but smoke damage? There may still be a lingering odor that may need to be neutralized. You should also check for any soot that needs to be removed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mold Damage
Unfortunately, mold damage can impair the structural integrity of the material it grows on, but the potential health risks are far more serious than that. Indoor mold can cause respiratory problems, such as stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing, and asthma. It can also lead to itchy eyes, skin irritation, and diarrhea.
Seal off the damaged area as soon as possible. One of the first steps is to remove any moldy carpet from your home. You also might want to place affected materials and belongings in plastic bags.
Turn off your furnace or air condition so that mold spores can be contained. If you have exhaust fans in your windows, keep them running. If you don’t have them, consider purchasing exhaust fans.
At this point, you should contact mold damage professionals. If you own equipment such as respirators and coveralls, they could help keep you safe. If you own protective masks, goggles, or gloves – put them on immediately.
At ASAP Restoration, we’re proud to be an insurance preferred contractor. This means we are held to the highest standards of transparency, customer service, and craftsmanship. Over the years, we’ve gained expertise in working with insurance adjusters and we can provide all the documentation required to complete your claim.
