Be Sure Water Damaged Properties Are Properly Dried Before Beginning Repairs

Last month, the small Arizona town of Wickenburg experienced historic floods that turned normally dry washes into raging rivers.  The desert town received up to four inches of rain in a downpour that overwhelmed the town’s ability to handle the influx of water. At least a dozen properties were severely damaged and many more experienced varying degrees of water infiltration. 

Now that several weeks have gone by, many property owners are eager to repair and rebuild their homes and businesses.  However, it is critically important that the properties are thoroughly dried before construction activities begin. 

“It doesn’t matter if water damage is due to a raging river or a catastrophic roof or plumbing leak, construction activities that take place before a structure has been properly dried can trap moisture leading to a whole new set of problems,” said Tom Allen from Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “Wood, drywall and other porous building materials can absorb a significant amount of water.  Some of these materials can be dried and cleaned while others should be discarded.  It’s also important to act quickly as mold can begin to grow in under 48 hours on most wet materials.  If the moisture hasn’t been properly removed in a timely manner, people may be faced with mold problems resulting in odor issues, health concerns and even possible future structural damage to the property.”

For property owners with insurance claims for damage to their properties, the professionals at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters are available to represent policy holders at a moment’s notice.  Their staff understands the importance of addressing all moisture issues and having a property thoroughly dried to ensure the structure is ready to be repaired and will be safe for future building occupants.  Policy holders who engage the services of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters know that they will receive the most accurate and complete settlement so they can rebuild their homes and businesses following any type of property damage.

Nation’s Leading Public Adjusters Offer Tips to Prevent Water Damage due to Leaking Water Heaters

Earlier this month, it was reported that a leak from a water heater released approximately 2,000 gallons of water at a County Government Center in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.  The water leak impacted about 12,000 square feet of the building and the cost to repair the damage has been estimated at approximately $100,000.

All of this damage was caused by a leaking 30-gallon water heater.  Water heaters aren’t designed to last forever and they are a common cause of property damage due to water leaks.  These leaks can take the form of a slow leak that may go unnoticed for some time or result in a catastrophic leak as occurred at the government building.

“Fortunately, there are steps people can take to minimize the risk of a water heater causing damage to their home or business,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC.  “The first thing people need to do is regularly inspect the water heater and the pipes around the unit for any signs of leakage, moisture, mold, mineral buildup and corrosion.  Some experts recommend flushing the tank twice a year to eliminate sediment buildup that can occur in the tank.  An inexpensive drip pan placed below the water heater that drains to the outside of the property can help prevent thousands of dollars in water damage in many cases.  Also, keep in mind that many water heater manufacturers estimate the life span of a water heater to be 8 to 12 years so replacing a unit when it is near the end of its useful life can potentially prevent damage from ever occurring.”

Property damage due to leaking water heaters results in countless insurance claims each year. If a leak goes unnoticed, even a small water damaging event can quickly escalate into a major claim. For anyone faced with a water damage claim, the professionals at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters offer their clients comprehensive insurance claim settlement services.  These services help to ensure that their clients obtain a fair and comprehensive settlement to properly repair any damages in a timely manner.

Wildfires and Insured Property Damage Claims

A prolonged drought in large portions of the Western United States has made for explosive wildfire conditions in many states.  California has already been especially hard hit, but even states such as Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico have already experienced an active wildfire season.

Flames from wildfires destroy many homes and businesses each year.  These structures are often burnt to the ground leaving little more than a foundation in their wake.  However, this obvious damage is not the only harm caused to buildings by wildfires. Many homes and businesses, which can be miles away from a wildfire, can also be impacted by smoke and soot residues. 

Wildfires produce a tremendous amount of smoke that can be carried for many miles by the prevalent winds.  This smoke is made up of a number of combustion by-products that may include ash, soot, char and other materials.  These materials can infiltrate a structure and leave behind unpleasant odors and residues which may cause corrosion, etching and discoloration within the property.

“Smoke damage can even cause indoor air and environmental quality concerns that could impact the health of building occupants and even lower property values,” said Tom Allen from Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “While property insurance may cover damage due to smoke and soot residue, it is often left to the property owner to provide proof of damages.  At Hudson Douglas, our public adjusters understand that damage due to smoke and soot is not always obvious at first glance.  Our insurance claims and building science experts can provide clients with odor, smoke and soot residue testing services when necessary to prove damages to the insurance carrier.” 

For people living in areas that are subject to wildfires, it is important that they have their homes and businesses properly insured and for an adequate amount of coverage to be able to rebuild in the event of a wildfire.  Fortunately, fire damage to a building’s structure and interior, along with personal belongings, are covered under most standard insurance policies.  

Understanding the Difference between Flood and Sewer Backup Insurance

Summer storms have already wreaked havoc and caused flooding in many parts of the country.  Damage to a home or business can be extensive when flood waters enter a property and they are also sometimes associated with backed up sewers. For property owners facing a property damage claim, the type of water damage can mean the difference between coverage and facing the cost of repairs on their own.    

Most standard insurance policies will not cover losses due to flood damage unless the policy holder has obtained flood insurance.  In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves from flood damage. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters and business owners through dozens of insurance companies.

Sewer backups or sanitary sewer overflows can be caused by a wide range of issues.  These frequently are due to blockages in the sewer lateral or sanitary main, and in some circumstances, due to flooding events.  As is the case with insurance coverage for flooding, most insurance policies do not cover a sewer backup unless specific coverage has been obtained by the policy holder.  This coverage is typically available for a nominal annual fee.

“Understanding the types of coverage you have for your home or business is essential for protecting your property in the event of flooding or a sewer backup,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC.  “Flood insurance and sewer backup coverage is a smart investment for many property owners.  For those faced with any type of water damage, our property and insurance experts can provide assistance at a moment’s notice.  Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters only represents policy holders and never works on the behalf of insurance companies. This means our clients can expect to obtain the most accurate and complete settlement possible so they can rebuild their homes and businesses.”

Leading Public Adjusters Provide Advice about Property Damage Claims and Potential Health & Safety Hazards

Homeowners insurance is important to protect what is for many people one of their biggest assets, their home.  It is also required by most mortgage lenders.   A standard homeowners insurance policy typically covers the home and personal property, but most have important exclusions.  These may include damage due to natural disasters such as flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes.

While most people hope they never have to file a claim for damage to their home, statistics show that as recently as 2013, over 4% of insured homes had a claim.  Some of the most common claims revolve around water damage, fire damage, and wind and storm damage.

While damage from any one of these common causes is often quite evident, these events can also create potential hazards that many property owners may not readily recognize.  These could be due to the actual damage or result from cleanup and repair activities.  A partial list of these potential hazards may include the following:

·       Electrical Hazards

·       Leaking Gas Lines

·       Carbon Monoxide

·       Smoke and Soot Residues

·       Mold

·       Bacteria

·       Viruses

·       Chemical Contaminants

·       Asbestos

·       Lead Dusts

“For people faced with a property damage claim, there are steps that should be taken,” said Tom Allen of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC.  “Be sure to promptly notify your insurance company and make a detailed inventory of any damaged property.  Our insurance claims professionals can help with this entire process. The staff at Hudson Douglas only work on the behalf of policy holders and are also experienced indoor environmental and construction experts.”

Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters has sponsored an educational video about property damage claims and potential indoor environmental concerns that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/bAXyVtpfPaQ

The services of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters are available for residential and commercial policy holders in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.