Steps To Take After Water Damage

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Follow these tips If your Commercial Building has Water Damage.

Regular inspection of your commercial building in Layton, UT, is essential for identifying maintenance issues before they get out of hand. Whether you have a busted pipe or a hidden leak, any extra moisture can cause a lot of water damage, especially if you don't catch it early. If you find evidence of a leak, there are a few steps you need to take immediately.

Consider these Steps if you experience Water Damage

Report Water Damage to Insurance Provider

The first thing you need to do any time there is a problem with your commercial property is to contact your coverage provider, and damage caused by broken pipes is no exception. Notifying your insurance agent as soon as you know there's a problem has several benefits:

• Start your claims process
• Prompt a visit from an adjuster
• Guard against any negligence concerns

The sooner your insurance company knows about the problem, the faster its response is likely to be when it comes to getting you the support you need to pay for it. Reporting the issue to your provider can also serve as evidence that you are doing everything you can to get your building back in order.

Document All Damage

Upon arrival, your insurance adjuster will complete a walkthrough of the affected areas and make note of the water damage in your building. The adjuster may have several questions for you to help determine the timeline of the loss and how much your policy covers. Finally, he or she is likely to take pictures and videos of the problem areas and make a list of damages.

It's a good idea to collect your own documentation as well. As the first person to see the damage, you are in the unique position of being able to show exactly how it looked from the beginning. If there is standing water, for example, you can take pictures before and after it was extracted. Additionally, the insurance company may ask you to include a list of items that need to be repaired or replaced along with an estimate of what it will cost to do so. Accurate documentation increases the chances that your claim will be accepted.

Contact Restoration Company

Another thing you need to do shortly after you discover damage to your building due to a leak or pipe break is to call water restoration experts. They typically arrive on-site within hours to start the water cleanup process. They will assess the damage to your building, remove water and damaged materials, clean and dry the affected area, and restore the structure to its former state.

It's a good idea to hire a company that handles both mitigation and restoration. One benefit of this decision is that it tends to improve communication throughout the process. Another perk is that all of the details of the process as well as the charges for each item are included in one statement. This gives you one document with all the remediation charges to submit with your insurance claim.

As with any problem, it's important to document issues with your building and loop in the necessary professionals. When your commercial building has water damage, your quick response is the key to minimizing the time and cost of fixing it.