How To Begin Cleanup Before the Adjuster Arrives

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

Recovering from a flood in Norman, OK can be stressful, emotionally draining and physically demanding. Having flood insurance coverage can help to alleviate some of those burdens. However, waiting to start cleanup until after the insurance adjuster assesses your home could lead to more serious problems.

Why To Start Quickly

Here are a few reasons it is important to act fast:

• Stagnant water houses a variety of harmful bacteria.
• Mold damage begins to develop within the first 24 hours after flooding.
• Delayed cleanup could increase the risk of structural damage to your home.

What To Do

If you experience damage following a storm, there are a number of actions you should take:

• Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Explain the extent of the damage and ask if you can start work before an adjuster arrives.
• Document everything, including conversations with your insurance company. In this case, technology is your friend. Take pictures or videotape the extent of the damage before you remove anything from your home, including water. This will ensure that you get the best reimbursement from your flood insurance provider.
• Remove standing water. This can be done by purchasing a sump pump or dry vac from your local hardware store or by hiring a professional restoration specialist to do the work for you. If you decide to do the work on your own, be sure to wear appropriate protective clothing such as boots and gloves because you will be working with contaminated water.
• Remove saturated objects such as carpets, carpet padding, furniture and clothing. Since these items are made from porous materials, bacteria can remain even after the item is completely dry.

When a flood hits your home, recovering from it can be intimidating. Taking the proper steps early can help prevent more serious flood damage to your home and health risks to you and your family. Check with flood insurance providers in Norman, OK to find out what coverage is available to you.
Visit http://www.SERVPROnorman.com for more information on storm damage.