Hardwood flooring, sheetrock, and other structural materials that comprise your home are not resilient to large amounts of pooling water. If water damage has affected your residence, knowing the extent of the damage and the restoration steps that will be necessary will guide you in remaining in your home or seeking a temporary shelter.
The Water Type
The water type plays a large factor in determining if your home is safe for occupancy. Liquid waste, such as water that came from a septic line, could be filled with harmful bacteria. Flood waters are also prone to bacteria and other microorganisms that could be harmful to your health. When dirty water sits within a residence, mold and mildew growth can become apparent.
Any type of dirty water and mold or mildew threats will require a remediation team to perform an extraction method and use germ mitigation methods. You should not remain in your home if dirty water flooded it and specialized restoration steps need to be performed. If freshwater damages a small portion of your home and the restoration steps can be conducted rather quickly, you may be able to get by with remaining in your home.
A sink leak, for instance, may have affected a part of the flooring or cabinetry in your home. If a restoration team can confidently dry and clean the affected surfaces, there may be no need for you to temporarily relocate.
The Insurance Variables
Filing a homeowner's insurance claim should be conducted, whether water damage is minimal or major. Major damage will likely result in needing to have a contractor bid on the restoration job. Old building materials may need to be removed from your home, as well as personal possessions. A major water damage scenario will require you to leave your home for an undetermined amount of time.
First, your insurance company will need to approve your claim. Then, you will need to consult with a contractor and a water cleanup crew. An insurance policy may provide a housing allowance, often referred to as an additional living expense (ALE). This coverage will allow you to seek temporary housing somewhere else, without being liable for the cost. If you are eligible for this type of coverage and there will be no way that you can remain in your home, speak to your contractor and cleanup team before leaving your home. Remove any items that you will need from your home, as long as they have not been affected by water damage.
For more information, contact a company like Lone Star Restoration Services.
Share2 August 2022
When something you own and love is damaged, it is easy to shrug and decide that item will never be the same again. Sometimes, you might be correct in this assumption. But if you really like the item and would like to keep using it, there is usually the option to repair it. Damage repair contractors can do incredible work, often with items and materials that the average person might assume were beyond being able to be repaired. We won't claim to be damage contractors, but we do wish to raise awareness of their work on this blog. When something you love is damaged, we want you to know you have options.