Tips To Help You Prepare for an Insurance Adjuster's Visit

11/14/2024 (Permalink)

The insurance adjuster works closely with our team from start to finish.

When a flood causes significant damage to your home in Luther, OK, your insurance company's home adjuster will schedule a site inspection to gather the information necessary to process your insurance claim. You can plan for this visit in the following ways.

Create a List of Losses

Before you begin the cleanup process, go through your belongings and make a complete list of irreparable or severely damaged items, including:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Carpets
• Window Coverings
• Electronics
• Photos
  
  

Attaching photos of as many items as possible to your list will substantiate your losses. You can also provide written descriptions if taking photos is impossible because of your belongings' destruction.

Inspect Your Home Carefully
Check your home for damage to its foundation, garage, swimming pool or any of its structural parts and prepare to discuss any abnormalities with the home adjuster. Identifying pre-existing defects or sudden damage preceding a flood can help define the scope of your claim.

Research Contractors
Acquiring quotes from at least three licensed contractors to clean your home or restore your belongings will facilitate the claim process. Ask these vendors to provide details describing their materials and methods and a working timeline your insurance provider can review before confirming coverage. A reliable disaster recovery service will not start working before receiving clearance from your insurance company.

Gather Documents and Receipts
Sorting relevant paperwork and assembling it into a single file will prevent unnecessary delays settling your claim. In addition to an itemized list of your belonging with photos and contractor quotes, include item purchase and moving expense receipts, written art appraisals or any documents that support your claim and provide answers to potential questions. Be sure to include all of your contact information on the paperwork to ensure you are reachable.
If your home in Luther, OK experiences a flood, a reputable flood restoration company can work with your insurance company's home adjuster to facilitate your insurance claim.

Ways to Recover Lost Revenue

10/16/2024 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Edmond, OK

A fire can prevent a business from operating for days or weeks. This interruption can be ruinous without interruption coverage. Business owners should consider obtaining an interruption insurance rider in addition to a commercial property insurance policy. Find out how business interruption coverage can offset revenue loss due to fire damage at a commercial structure in Edmond, OK.

Cover Continued Expenses

An interruption policy can cover expenses that continue while a business is closed for damage mitigation and restoration. These expenses may include:

• Rent
• Payroll
• Taxes
• Utilities

Factor in these costs when determining the amount of interruption insurance coverage. It is also important to calculate the average daily income of a business. These figures and the overall risk level will determine policy premiums.

Cover Lost Business

The sooner restoration starts, the sooner a business will be able to reopen. Interruption coverage can make up for revenue loss during this process. If a business can operate out of a portion of the damaged structure or a temporary location, it may not be necessary to rely on an interruption policy.

Cover Temporary Relocation

Interruption coverage may take anywhere from 48 to 72 hours to start. Business owners should determine whether a primary commercial insurance policy or this rider will cover the costs of temporary relocation. A claim that only relies on this coverage for the purposes of relocation is likely to be much lower than a claim for the full cleanup and restoration period.

According to the National Fire Protection Program, fires cost over $300 billion every year. Business owners can limit losses due to disasters with interruption insurance. It is a good idea to develop a business continuity plan and to try to lower the length and overall cost of business interruption coverage. This can be achieved by hiring fire restoration professionals and finding another way to operate during this process.

Fire destruction in Leonard, OK

7/26/2024 (Permalink)

Building damaged by fire in Waterloo, OK

Tips To Clean Correctly Your Contents After A Fire

Removing smoke damage, soot and odor from upholstery, carpets, curtains and other items in your business is a critical part of cleanup after a fire and may require a combination of dry-cleaning and wet-cleaning techniques. Follow these tips to make sure the contents of your business are cleaned correctly after a fire.

1. Handle Soot Removal With Care
All soot must be removed from smoke-damaged contents before they can be cleaned and deodorized. Soot is oily and stains easily, so steer clear of wet-cleaning methods. Avoid the temptation to use a brush or rag, as you risk rubbing the soot deeper into the fabric. A restoration professional will use a high-powered vacuum to remove as much soot as possible before cleaning begins.

2. Leave Content Cleaning to the Pros
Restoring smoke-damaged contents requires expert knowledge of the proper cleaning method(s) and may also require special equipment, making it nearly impossible to complete on your own. It’s best to hire a professional restoration company in Waterloo, OK, with content cleaning experience and access to the necessary equipment and facilities. A good restoration company should be capable of various dry-cleaning techniques, such as dry foam and ozone treatment, as well as a number of wet-cleaning methods. An ideal company will also have ultrasonic-cleaning equipment and immersion-cleaning capabilities.

3. Consider a Pack-out for Severe Damage
If the fire damage to your business requires lengthy repairs, a “pack-out” may be a good choice. This involves packing up your business contents and moving them to another location. Smoke-damaged items will be cleaned and deodorized off-site, and the clean contents will be inventoried and secured in a content storage facility, so that they aren’t damaged or re-soiled during the repairs.
A business fire can feel devastating, but many items can be fully restored with the right combination of wet-cleaning and dry-cleaning methods. Hiring a reliable restoration company is the safest way to eliminate evidence of smoke damage.

Restore Your Property and Belongings After a Flood

7/19/2024 (Permalink)

Storm damage in Oklahoma City, OK

Cleaning up after a flood in your Oklahoma City, OK, business can seem overwhelming, but with preparation and planning, you can steadily deal with the damage. Reach out to available resources and take the following content cleaning steps to get your business back on track.

Focus on Safety First

There are several significant risks when dealing with water in the workplace. Before you start any cleanup effort, protect yourself and those around you from potential hazards.

• Turn off the gas and electricity.
• Use appropriate protective gear, such as gloves, boots, and masks.
• Contact flood cleanup professionals immediately if you suspect black water.
• Remove water as quickly as possible.
  
  

Whether water trickled into your building or rushed in quickly, there's a potential for damage to the foundation, walls, floors, windows, and other structural components. Before stepping onto a weakened floor, make sure there aren't dangerous structural damages.

Document Water Damage for Your Insurance

After taking care of your first priorities, it's important to document damages for your insurance company. Take photographs or video of the damages to your building. These should be taken before you start to clean up any of the flood damage.

Identify DIY Work and Professional Work

You can take care of a lot of cleaning and damage, but some of the work should be completed by professionals. For example, soggy books and papers, damaged artwork, and furnishings may require the specialized care that professionals provide. Your insurance company may prefer that you turn all of the cleanup over to these technicians. Professional-strength cleaners and disinfectants remove layers of dirt and slow or prevent the growth of diseases from black water contamination.
There are many surfaces and materials in your building that require specialized content cleaning efforts. Protect your property from lasting damages, such as mold growth and structural damages, by taking prompt action, working with your insurance company, and determining which tasks to turn over to professionals.

Steps to Take When Your Water Heater Leaks

7/9/2024 (Permalink)

A leaking water heater can cause a lot of damage if it isn't addressed quickly.

A leaking water heater can cause a lot of damage if it isn't addressed quickly. Water damage restoration specialists can clean up the water, mitigate damage and prevent mold growth as a result of a failed water heater.

Damage

A broken water heater can inflict damage in several ways:

• Structural damage
• Deteriorating building materials
• Mold growth
• Electrical wiring damage
  
  

If your water heater in Arcadia, OK, is leaking, you need to contact an emergency restoration service that can get there fast.

Drying Process
The restoration service will first remove all water, thoroughly drying the area. Depending on the amount of flooding from the leaking water heater, they may have to use submersible pumps or vacuums to remove the flooding. After the water has been pumped out of the building, they will use fans to ensure that all surfaces dry fully.
You can help by removing wet objects and taking them outside as soon as you notice the flooding. You can also open doors and windows to help the space dry faster. If the water may be in contact with any part of an electrical circuit, you could be electrocuted if you make contact with the water. If this is the case, do not touch the water. Wait for professionals to arrive.

Mold Treatment
Mold grows quickly in moist environments and could be harmful to the building and its inhabitants. After the area has been dried, the restoration service will clean every surface with antibacterial sprays. This will kill any mold that has already formed, stop further growth and prevent future damage.

Structural Damage
If needed, the repair service will repair any structural damage from the flood. This could include things like damaged drywall or weakened wood beams.
When your business in Arcadia, OK, encounters flooding from a leaking water heater, you need an emergency restoration service to mitigate damage. They will dry the area, treat for mold and repair structural damage.

When To Do Maintenance on Your Furnace

6/25/2024 (Permalink)

Furnace repair

Preventative fire cleaning on your home furnace in Waterloo, OK, is important to ensure it functions correctly and doesn’t cause fire damage. While many people suggest hiring a maintenance professional to inspect annually, there are some things you can do yourself as well to ensure you system runs efficiently.

Replace Filters Regularly

Dirt can be a big problem for heating and cooling systems, by lowering efficiency and burning extra fuel. Keep the system clean by vacuuming around the unit regularly and changing the filter monthly or whatever time-frame is recommended by the manufacturer.
Leaving old filters to sit for too long will add stress to the compressor and can eventually result in mechanical failures. Not only that, the dirt and debris will get recirculated through your home which can cause allergies and disease. It’s also important to do additional fire cleaning on heaters, radiators, and warm-air registers, while also ensuring they’re not blocked.

Maintenance Before Cold Weather

Many homeowners call a professional to do a yearly inspection and fire cleaning on their furnace before the heating season to confirm the system is clean and performing in the most efficient way possible. Here are a few steps you can take yourself to keep your bills low while staying warm:

Calibrate the thermostat. The correct calibration can be lost from excess dirt or being moved around. A furnace maintenance professional can check this annually, or you can replace it with a computerized one.
Clean and adjust the burners to improve efficiency, and check for any rust accumulation.
Reverse ceiling fans to a clockwise rotation to help push warm air down, especially if you have tall ceilings.
Seal any air leaks and all air ducts, especially in the attic or crawl spaces. Metal tape and insulation can temporarily save an aging duct system.

It’s good to get into the habit of allowing a professional to service your furnace once per year. Waiting until the end of the heating season (the off-season) may give you faster service at a slight discount. If you have endured some home damage due to a furnace issue, smoke cleaning and remediation services are available that can usually clean up the mess to almost as good as new.

What You Need To Know Before Cleaning Up Water Damage

6/25/2024 (Permalink)

Commercial flooded basement in Arcadia,OK

Water is an essential resource, but it can be destructive when it flows where it doesn’t belong. When water damages your business, it is important to determine the source of the problem. This discussion of three common sources may help you decide how to proceed with your structural and content cleaning.

Facility-Related Water

When damage is caused by a water source within your building, it may have originated from one of these sources:

• Your refrigerator or water heater leaks.
• A pipe carrying clean water bursts in your building.
• A dishwasher or specialized piece of equipment leaks water that may be contaminated with chemicals, soil or food.
• A toilet overflows or a sewer backs up, releasing sewage into your structure.
  
  

If the water potentially contains toxic chemicals or sewage, it is considered to be dangerous. Consulting a water remediation specialist will be required to safely facilitate the content cleaning and restoration. Facility-related damage is likely covered by your insurance, so contacting your agent promptly is recommended.

Stormwater

When hail, rain or snowmelt enters your building through a broken window or leaking roof, it is considered stormwater. If the water hasn’t touched the ground and is due to a weather event, it falls into this category. Stormwater damage generally requires a professional cleanup service as well as home repairs. Your business insurance will generally cover the expense for stormwater restoration.

Floodwater

If rising floodwater enters your building at ground level or below, it is termed black water and is considered highly contaminated. Floodwater can contain chemicals, sewage and other hazards. If you have flood-related damage, it is necessary to enlist a restoration specialist for the building and content cleaning process. For this water restoration cost to be covered, you would need to have purchased a separate insurance policy for flooding, prior to the incident.
When water from a flood or other source damages your Arcadia, OK, business, the origin of the water will determine the best cleanup plan and the type of insurance coverage that applies. It will take some time, but before you know it, your company will be back to business as usual.

What Can I Do If a Broken Pipe Flooded the Furnace?

6/25/2024 (Permalink)

A furnace flood can happen and cause damage in your property

Things That Must Happen To Get Your Business Back to Normal

Although it is not something most people ever consider, a furnace flood can happen, and it can cause considerable damage if not treated promptly. If you find a pool of water around your furnace, you will need to take immediate action to minimize damage to your property. As a business owner in Hibsaw, OK, you may want to hire a professional remediation company to clean up the mess. Here are several things that must happen to get your business back to normal.

1. Stop the Flow of Water The most important thing you can do to minimize the damage from a flooded furnace is to stop the flow of water. You can do this by shutting off the main water valve.

2. Extract the Water Now that you have stopped the water from the furnace flood, you can see how much water there is left to clean up. If it is only a little, you may be able to use a towel or mop to clean up the moisture. However, if it is more than a little, you may need to hire a professional remediation company to extract the water using specialized equipment.

3. Determine the Extent of the Water Damage Water can easily seep between cracks and into porous surfaces. This can lead to problems in drywall, subfloors, and other materials. A moisture meter can be used to identify water inside these areas.

4. Remove Unsalvageable Items There may be some objects that have sustained enough water damage that they will need to be replaced. These items can be identified and removed before the drying process begins.

5. Dry the Area It is important to dry out the area as quickly as possible so that mold does not have a chance to form. Professional drying equipment can be used to speed up this process.

As a business owner, you may want to hire professionals to clean up a furnace flood as quickly as possible. To help avoid this problem from ever occurring, make sure you are maintaining your furnace and performing air duct cleaning.

Rainstorm Damages Your Edmund Home

4/8/2024 (Permalink)

This flooded kitchen was caused by a torrential rainstorm

Storms can impact your Edmund home in several ways.  Hurricanes or torrential rainstorms can cause flooding.  Standing or rising water inside your Edmund home can cause significant damage.  SERVPRO® of Edmund and Midwest City is the right restoration company to quickly remove the water, dry your home, and repair the flood damage. 

When flood water enters your home, it can impact almost every surface. Drywall and wood can become swollen with water. Fabrics and upholstery may become stained and moldy. These are just a few of the ways that water can impact your home.  All water damaged materials will need to be dried or removed before the repair work can begin. Some items may be salvaged, but others will need to be replaced. The best results will be from a restoration company that is focused on restoring the property to its preloss condition.

You want a certified restoration company to perform the repairs after a storm.  Companies that are active with the Edmund Chamber of Commerce.  Companies that are certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification.  SERVPRO of Edmund and Midwest City is active in both of these organizations.  Additionally, act quickly to schedule service. 

When you contact a restoration company, ask about availability. The company ideally will offer around-the-clock service. You have a short amount of time to dry your home before the potential risk for mold.  A timely response is imperative. In addition, inquire about the steps the company will take to follow through on the work.  Ask about what the finished results look like.  Finally, what is the expected time frame for the project. Flood damage repair can be significant, and the process may be lengthy.

SERVPRO of Edmund and Midwest City should be your first choice for any residential or commercial fire damage.  Our team of professionals is trained to assess the damage, identify potential threats, and respond quickly to restore your property to preloss condition.  SERVPRO of Edmund and Midwest City is available 24/7 by calling 405-330-2095

Use SERVPRO® to Board Up Your Commercial Property After a Fire

4/3/2024 (Permalink)

A Commercial building on fire in Edmund. This building will need board up services from SERVPRO of Edmund and Midwest City

It can be difficult to determine where to begin cleaning up after a fire.  When you have experienced a fire disaster in Edmund, one of the first steps to consider is boarding up your commercial building.  Dealing with fire damage is devastating enough without the threat of added problems like looting.  Therefore, it is important to request help from SERVPRO® of Edmund and Midwest City.  Our professionals can ensure that your commercial building stays protected. Board-up services are designed to safeguard your property and belongings from other forces at work, whether human or environmental, and there are many benefits to acquiring these services for your commercial property.

Boarding up your commercial property helps prevent thieves and vandals from entering.  Unfortunately, there are many people who try to profit off a disaster.  Seeing an easy opening into a building through broken windows or doors is simply an invitation for these individuals.  Boarding up any entrances while your property is vacant will help keep looters away until repairs completed.

Boarding up your commercial property guards against the weather causing more damage.  If open areas of your building are hit by a rainstorm or intense winds, you will be forced to contend with more than just fire damage. Covering these openings with plywood helps to eliminate any chance of additional damage.  Preventing additional damage can save you money and time.

Insurance companies often require property owners to utilize board-up services.  Following their advice can help you get greater coverage if the damage is proven to be solely from the fire.  Your insurance carrier is  not likely to pay for additional damage from outside forces. They could consider giving you less coverage overall for not following procedure.

Keep your commercial property in Edmond protected by using SERVPRO of Edmund and Midwest City to board up after a fire.  Using SERVPRO will help prevent looting and additional damage to your property.

SERVPRO of Edmund and Midwest City should be your first choice for any residential or commercial fire damage.  Our team of professionals is trained to assess the damage, identify potential threats, and respond quickly to restore your property to preloss condition.  SERVPRO of Edmund is available 24/7 by calling