Arizona Residents Learn about the Pros & Cons of Installing Carpet after a Property Damage Claim

When a property damage claim has to be filed with an insurance company, more often than not, the claim includes some type of damage to the building’s flooring.  This is often due to water, fire or smoke damage that either directly destroys the flooring or contaminates it with sewage, mold or smoke residues.

Choosing the type of flooring to repair a residential or commercial property is an important decision. Common choices include tile, stone, wood, vinyl and carpeting.  In many circumstances, carpeting is selected due to its cost, warmth, and large selection of colors, patterns and fibers.   Carpeting has additional advantages as well, such as its insulating and noise dampening properties and speed with which it can be installed.

While carpeting can be a good fit for many situations, it also has potential negative attributes.  New carpet systems (including adhesives and carpet padding), like many new interior finishing materials, will often off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for a while after being installed.

Carpets can even act as "sinks" for the adsorption of VOCs from other sources (during the application of paint and other finish coatings for example) and re-emit them later.

Carpeting can also act as a reservoir for dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander, mold, dust mites, pesticides and other materials and allergens which may originate indoors or be brought into the indoor environment from outside.  Poor carpet maintenance can allow large quantities of dust and debris to build up over time. Moisture could also be trapped below or in carpets which can result in mold growth and the release of mold spores. Young children who play on carpets are most likely to come into contact with these substances although anyone in the building could be exposed.

“When property damage occurs it’s important for the policyholder to understand that each decision they make, from documenting the damage and negotiating the claim to picking replacement materials, can have a profound impact on the future state of their home or business,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “These are just a few of the reasons people in these situations should look to the expertise of an experienced public adjuster to represent their interests and ensure the best possible outcome. At Hudson Douglas we work only for policyholders.  This means everything is handled for our clients with the insurance company. Our building science professionals can also help with all of the fine details, including what flooring choices will work best when repairing the property.”

Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters also recently sponsored an educational video about the pros and cons of carpeting that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/vZ8bHl-5NzQ

Furnace Maintenance for a Comfortable Indoor Environment and to Prevent Potential Property Damage

Many residential and commercial properties rely on furnaces to provide a warm and comfortable indoor environment during cold weather.  Like all systems in a building, a furnace requires preventive maintenance to ensure that it is working properly and efficiently, is not a safety hazard, and is providing good indoor air quality (IAQ). 

A large percentage of homes in North America rely on a central forced-air furnace that is powered by natural gas, fuel oil or electricity to heat air that is then transferred throughout the property through ducts. A furnace that is not working properly could be wasting energy and even threatening the health of building occupants if combustion gases, such as carbon monoxide, are entering the building’s air.  Forced-air furnaces can also cause indoor air quality issues by spreading particulates and even mold and other allergens throughout the structure if the system’s air filtration is lacking or the ductwork is contaminated.

“Furnaces and other types of heating equipment are also the cause of many fires throughout the United States,” said Tom Allen from Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “In fact, the National Fire Protection Association reports that heating equipment was estimated to have been involved in over 53,000 home structure fires that caused over $890 million in direct property damage as recently as 2011.  It’s critical that combustible materials are kept away from furnaces and heating equipment and that they are properly maintained and serviced.”

To ensure the system is working properly, it is a good idea to have it checked at least annually by a qualified professional.  The property damage and insurance claims experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters recently sponsored an educational video that discusses many of the steps involved with having a furnace inspected.  The video can be seen at: https://youtu.be/j3NKuIkgdMY

Residential and commercial property owners in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey who have suffered property damage due to a faulty furnace that has caused fire and smoke damage or ghosting (particulates settling on surfaces) can turn to the experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters to file, manage and resolve their insurance claim. Their public adjusters represent only policyholders to ensure all damages are recognized, documented, handled properly and settled fairly.