Water Mitigation in a Nutshell!

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, disasters happen. Are you ready?

Property disasters are a certainty. They can be minor or significant, but damage issues are a guaranteed part of property ownership.

Damages and their repair becomes more complicated when water is added to the mix. Rainwater can spill over and enter into places that it should not be, from places such as the roof, attic, crawlspaces, or basements. Water build-up can wreak havoc as it continues to rise and accumulate.  A dishwasher malfunction or burst pipe can create a world of chaos if it is not dealt with as swiftly as possible.

These are merely a few of the instances that compel a property owner to seek out water restoration professionals.  In any circumstance, the mitigation team will show up on site to evaluate the extent of the damage, and determine the best course of action.  Though jobs vary drastically, all follow the same basic process.  Here is what you can expect:

• Communication of drying plan with property owner and completion of appropriate documentation.
• Extraction of any excess water.
• Removal of any materials or contents that cannot be salvaged. A couple of examples are carpet padding and drywall that are fully saturated.
• Disinfectant application to all affected areas and materials in order to prevent any mildew or mold growth during the drying process.
• Fans and dehumidifiers set strategically to promote the most efficient drying timeline.
• Schedule to monitor the drying progress over the following day.
• Final equipment removed upon all materials drying to IICRC standards.
• Final loss report and supporting documents sent to insurance adjuster for payment.

At SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston always prioritize restoration over replacement during water mitigation.*  Other firms may take a more replacement approach and this can affect the way the job is run as well as how efficiently the insurance claim is handled.  Most insurance professionals realize that restoration versus replacement allows for property protection and long-term preservation and is the key to minimizing further damage within the property.

Cost of water mitigation

The first question we are usually faced with in an emergent water damage is, “What do we do now?”  The next most commons question is, “How much is it going to cost?” Property owners want to know how much it will cost to remove water within a property and to dry out the area.

The truth is that, while specific line items have standard pricing, cost of the full job varies from job to job, depending on severity and circumstances.  Here are a few things that factor into cost:

• Source of damage. For example, sewage is more expensive to clean up than the water from an ice maker due to additional precautions and disinfecting processes to prevent the spread of dangerous contaminants.
• Severity of damage. Size of job can be deceiving.  Occasionally, jobs with a small area of visible damage can actually be quite complicated to mitigate based on what is under the surface. One instance is when a water damage is left unattended and mold grows in the walls and under the flooring with no external sign of its presence
• Time of day emergency services are needed. After hours, weekends, and holidays often have different pricing, as the cost of production staff is more expensive during these times. However, insurance companies consider this when approving your claim.  We work directly with the insurance company to ensure they are in agreement with the necessity of the afterhours work and pricing.
• The specifics of your insurance policy. All policies range in deductible and coverage requirements. It is critical to know what you coverage is before beginning a job.  By calling us immediately upon discovering a water damage, we can help you navigate the beginning portion of the process and ensure that we are working within the parameters of your specific policy.

While the insurance and billing process of a water loss can be daunting, we have a team of trained professionals on staff 24/7 to make sure the claims and payment process is as seamless as possible. 

We are here for you.

Fortunately, water mitigation services are not something property owners require very often, but it is certainly a necessary service when dealing with chaotic water situations.  So, we highly recommend you research and find a restoration company that you will feel confident in calling if damage does occur. 

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County has been serving the Lowcountry for 16 years and have an incredible team ready to help.  Feel free to call us to discuss any questions you may have in advance of a disaster so you are as prepared as possible.

Always just a phone call away to make your water damage, "Like it never even happened."

*If you’d like to know a little bit more about why we restore rather than replace when possible, here is another post on the subject.