Water Damage: Speed is Key
Whenever water damage has occurred in a building, insurance and remediation companies define it with the term "water-loss." Water-losses are caused by broken water pipes, roof and siding leakage, flood damage, fire extinguishing or sewage backup.

Water originating from the supply (pressurized) side of the plumbing system is considered clear or potable water. Water from drain lines or rain is called gray water. Water from a sewer backup or an overflowing toilet is called black water. While all water sources have the potential to cause property damage and microbial contamination if not addressed promptly, gray and black water pose imminent microbial contamination and should be dealt with quickly and strategically by a professional.

Some homeowners attempt to handle water-losses on their own, but rarely do it correctly. They lack the right equipment, such as containment walls, powerful extractors and dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, protective clothing, biocidal sanitizing chemicals, and knowledge of how to quickly dry out building materials.

If you experience a water-loss:

1. Be aware of potential safety concerns, such as slipping, electrocution, or biohazards from sewage backups.

2. Act fast. Affected materials should be thoroughly dried within 48 hours. If not, mold and bacterial contamination can result, creating new expenses that may not be covered by your insurance company. Due to the urgency of water-loss situations, most professionals have 24-hour emergency phone numbers available.

3. Consider hiring a professional water-loss company if finish building materials‹wallboard, wood materials or carpet‹are wet. A professional will know the best procedures to assure all affected building materials have been thoroughly dried and decontaminated, even in unseen areas like wall and floor cavities.

4. Consider the consequences of submitting a claim before you call your insurance company. Simply because you are entitled to a claim does not mean it is in your best interest to report it, as your rates might increase. The amount of damage and expense should be considered before making a claim.

5. Because water-loss remediation is not a regulated profession, verify the independent training certification that your remediator may have. This should be done whether you hired the remediator directly or an insurance company brought the remediator to you. Also inquire as to the methods and equipment that will be used to protect your indoor environment from the spread of microbial contaminants.

6. To prevent problems and inconvenience later, consider hiring a mold and moisture inspector unrelated to the remediation or insurance companies to ensure that all affected areas are discovered and addressed correctly.

This article is copyrighted and reprinted with permission by DanSchilling and Home Resource Magazine. To receive a copy of Home Resource, contact Sarah Schilling at publisherhr@gmail.com.

This article is intended to be general in nature and is not intended to address all potential issues. Specific determinations must be obtained by qualified experts.