It stands to reason that if you need to water damage restoration in Austin, Texas, your best provider is a professional flood damage restoration expert located in Austin, Texas. There are only a few true water damage restoration companies in Austin which offer a complete restoration package. There are six qualities to look for in the company you hire to clean up your flood damage:
1. Do you offer a complete package of restoration services (not just carpet)? A flood damages a lot more than just carpet. There may be structural damage to sub-flooring. There may be warping of baseboards and moldings, as well as damage to walls, furniture, papers, and even electronics depending on the depth of the water. Don’t settle for carpet cleaning when you need flood restoration. There’s a big difference between the two.
2. How long have you been in business? The best providers have been around for awhile, and have the experience to recognize potential problems. Experience and the proper equipment may also help them to perform a more thorough job in less time
3. Are the technicians adequately trained, full-time professionals? You need more than a subcontractor or temp with a sponge and a bucket!
4. Does the company use industrial strength equipment? It takes more than a ShopVac to clean up after a flood. Professional restorers use water removal equipment as well as dehumidification equipment.
5. Do the technicians use professional gear on a daily basis? The best equipment doesn’t matter if the technician can’t figure our how to operate it.
6. Are the technicians employed by the flood restoration company or are they merely subcontractors? Employees have more at stake and usually do a better job.
The answers to these questions will go a long way in determining whether or not you are working with a skilled specialist in flood restoration services.
Other Cleaning Services
There are three other types of services that claim to be able to clean up water damage. Internet marketing companies have a website taking calls from everywhere which they then pass on to subcontractors in the Austin area. The company may not be located anywhere Austin, or may only be targeting the area to profit from recent flooding. National franchises are usually fairly new to the area, with little connection or experience. The staff may be new, minimally trained, with little or no real-world experience.
Finally, many carpet cleaning companies advertise themselves as restoration services. But they lack even the basic necessary equipment for water removal and dehumidification. They may have little education or experience. Worst of all, their focus is on carpet, and may not be able to restore personal belongings or furniture.
Your home is your biggest investment. If you’ve suffered flood damage, you now risk mold and mildew that can injure your family’s health and destroy the value of your home. This is the time to call in a professional who can handle all aspects of flood restoration. It just stands to reason.
Arijit Roul has many hobbies and interests. As well being a keen blogger and article writer for many sites, he has also recently created a site focusing on water damage. The site is constantly being updated and has articles such as water damage to read.
Filed under Home Insurance by on May 27th, 2010. Comment.
Whether your water heater fell over, the kids forgot to turn off the bathtub faucet, the normally serene river down the road has burst its bank, or a 24-foot storm surge has wiped out your home, water damage happens. In fact, that’s why many homeowners carry insurance – to protect their homes from unpredictable catastrophes.
Unfortunately, one man’s catastrophe is another man’s problem. This is true especially when dealing with your insurance company over restoration claims. Is it a catastrophe or is it your problem? Is the flood event covered or not?
Most homeowners insurance policies exclude certain types of flooding so it’s useful to review your policy before and during the water restoration claims process. If you have National Flood Insurance, you should be prepared with that information as well.
Water damage and restoration claims are subject to all kinds of rules and loopholes and your insurance company knows exactly what they are doing – do you? If you’re getting the runaround from your insurance about a restoration claim, don’t take their word for it. Read your insurance policy and find out exactly what is covered. You pay your premiums for the service that the insurer provides. When it’s time for restoration for a covered loss, you don’t deserve to be short changed.
While many water claims are specifically excluded from an insurance policy, not all are. During hurricanes and major storms, some water damage is specifically excluded such as water damage from a storm surge. However, if your roof blows off and the rain damages the interior of your home, then the water restoration would likely be covered. Beware of the insurance agent that wants to classify damage as something other than it is. For example, if the agent claims the water damage is due to storm surge when it’s clear that the reason the home is water damaged is because the roof blew off, then stick up for yourself and demand that the adjuster look at the obvious.
In these cases, restoration compensation could be less than what’s needed thanks to an insurance adjuster whose eyes are on the bottom line, not what you are entitled to under the terms of your policy. Get a professional involved if you need help. Public insurance adjusters can act on your behalf and get a better settlement offer while specific contractors, such as roofers and rebuilders, can document the damage, make reasonable efforts, and back you up when you’re filing a restoration claim.
Your insurance company wants to save a few bucks while you want to make sure that you can restore your property. You are at odds with each other even though you are business partners. Get a third party involved and ensure that your restoration goes the way it should.
By: Mr. Mark Decherd
For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:
Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907
http://www.dryout.net
239-437-7100
Water Damage
Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water damage repair, restoration and reconstruction of commercial and residential properties damaged by fire, water and other disasters by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.
Filed under Home Insurance by on Dec 20th, 2009. Comment.