Financial Preparedness for Water Damage Emergencies

10/21/2023 (Permalink)

Establishing an emergency fund specifically designated for unforeseen expenses is crucial.

Water damage emergencies can wreak havoc on your home and your finances. From burst pipes to severe storms, unforeseen events can result in significant expenses for repairs and restoration. Being financially prepared for water damage emergencies can help alleviate the stress and ensure a smoother recovery process. In this blog post, we will explore essential steps to take in order to protect your finances and prevent unexpected financial burdens when faced with water damage emergencies.

Build an Emergency Fund

Establishing an emergency fund specifically designated for unforeseen expenses, such as water damage emergencies, is crucial. Aim to save three to six months' worth of living expenses to provide a safety net during challenging times.

Review and Understand Insurance Coverage

Review your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy to understand the extent of coverage for water damage. Ensure you have adequate coverage for various causes of water damage, including burst pipes, leaks, and natural disasters. If necessary, consider adding extra coverage, such as flood insurance or sewer backup coverage, to protect yourself from potential gaps in your existing policy. These additions can safeguard your finances in case of specific water damage scenarios.

Maintain Regular Property Inspections and Maintenance

Regularly inspect and maintain your property to prevent water damage before it occurs. Look for signs of leaks, deterioration, or damage to plumbing, roofing, and appliances. Timely repairs and maintenance can help avoid costly water damage incidents.

Consider installing water detection devices in vulnerable areas, such as basements, near appliances, or under sinks. These devices can detect leaks and water accumulation, allowing you to address issues before extensive damage occurs. Insulate exposed pipes to protect them from freezing during colder months, as burst pipes can cause significant water damage. Prevention is key in avoiding costly repairs.

Research and Establish Relationships with Restoration Professionals

Find trusted restoration professionals: Research and identify reputable restoration professionals who specialize in water damage emergencies. Establishing these connections beforehand can save time and reduce stress during an emergency.

Consult with restoration professionals to obtain cost estimates for various water damage scenarios. Having a general idea of potential costs can help you financially prepare for unforeseen emergencies.

Create a Detailed Inventory of Belongings

Create a detailed inventory of your belongings, including photographs, receipts, and serial numbers whenever possible. This documentation helps facilitate the claims process with your insurance company and ensures proper compensation for damaged items.

By implementing these financial preparedness strategies, you can protect your finances from the unexpected costs of water damage emergencies. Being proactive, understanding your insurance coverage, and preparing for potential scenarios give you peace of mind and financial stability during challenging times. Remember, it is essential to build an emergency fund, maintain your property, and establish relationships with trusted restoration professionals to ensure a more manageable recovery process.

Peeling Paint: Why and What to Do

11/5/2022 (Permalink)

Humidity can peel the paint off your ceiling and walls

Peeling Paint: Why and What to Do

Peeling paint is a common problem in Scarsdale homes and businesses. It’s unsightly and can be difficult to fix. So why does peeling paint happen? If you’re wondering why your paint is pooling, here are some reasons that this might be happening:

Places You May Notice Peeling Paint

You may notice your paint peeling in various spots, including the following:

• Walls and ceilings
• Trim
• Molding (corners)
• Doors
• Windows

Fix the Problem Quickly 

Not fixing the peeling paint might cost you more in the long run. Peeling paint, as you may have guessed, is not a good look. But it's also more than just an aesthetic issue—a peeling paint job is also prone to rust and mildew growth, which can lead to structural damage in the long term. That's the last thing you want for your home!

Once you've determined that there are no structural issues holding your paint back from sticking properly, it's time to address the problem head-on. Fix the source of the problem first, and then fix the paint issue.

Possible Sources of Peeling Paint

A water leak might be your source. If you have a water leak in your home (or if there was a plumbing problem before you purchased it), the moisture could be causing peeling paint. You should call a plumber to repair any leaks and check the foundation of your home to make sure it’s not damaged.

If you're noticing paint peeling off your walls and ceiling, it's possible that the problem is caused by a water leak. Invisible leaks can lead to visible problems if they're not taken care of quickly and effectively. For example, invisible leaks can lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as particleboard disintegration, and peeling paint. 

Humidity could be another problem. The humidity level in your house may also have an effect on whether or not paint will peel off, especially if it's very low in temperature for an extended period of time (as this can cause condensation). In order for paint to adhere properly, humidity levels need to be above 50 percent. Otherwise, moisture can get trapped between the wall and its surface coating which causes peeling over time due. 

It's important for homeowners to act quickly when they notice paint peeling off their walls and ceilings—especially if there are any other signs of moisture damage in the home (for example discolored carpeting or floors).

It’s easy for us humans to tell ourselves that we don’t have enough money for home repairs like these, but when something goes wrong with our homes it becomes an emergency situation that requires immediate action! Often these emergency situations are more costly than fixing the problem at the first, small sign of a problem.

Hopefully, we’ve given you a few ideas on why your paint is peeling and how to fix it. If you have any water damage in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Scarsdale/Mount Vernon. We will be glad to assist in mitigating and restoring your home back to its original condition. 

4 Possible Sources of Sewage in Your Home

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

A clogged pipe can result in sewage backup in your home.

4 Possible Sources of Sewage in Your Home

Your home's plumbing system brings in clean water and discreetly clears away the used and dirty water. Occasionally, pipes break, and sometimes those pipes are in the process of taking away contaminated water. When this happens, professional sewage cleaning is a necessity. A number of situations in your home in Secor Gardens, NY, could result in a black water spill.

1. Toilet Overflow. While this might seem minor, any time water from a toilet that contains urine or feces overflows it is a serious situation. The water potentially contains harmful bacteria and microbes that are detrimental to human health. Plus, the water can contaminate flooring and other materials.

2. Clogged Pipe. A discharge line that is obstructed could result in a sewage backup, spilling out contaminated water into an area of the home. As with all other types of spills requiring professional sewage cleaning, a water damage mitigation team should be called. Trained technicians will work safely and quickly to remove the dirty water and clean and sanitize the home.

3. Pipe Burst. Older pipes tend to weaken with age. After forty or fifty years of use, many piping materials are at or near the end of their lifespan. This is especially true of galvanized steel piping. If the pipe that breaks is carrying used water, the spill should be considered potentially harmful to human health.

 Though this situation has nothing to do with the plumbing system, it is still an issue important to homeowners. Outside water coming into a home from overflowing streams or lakes or heavy rains is often contaminated with germs, chemicals, and other substances. As such, it should be treated with the highest level of concern.

No matter what the source of the spill, sewage cleaning is best handled by a professional company. It will have the appropriate equipment and training to deal with the situation safely and efficiently.

Coping With Water Damage

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Drying up the area that was damaged by water in a Mount Vernon, NY home

How Do You Deal With Water Damage

Water damage in Mount Vernon, NY, can happen suddenly and unexpectedly. Whether the result of a storm, broken pipes, or a washing machine malfunction, you’re suddenly facing a big water cleanup task. When you’re preparing to address the mess, consider the following:

• Safety
• Assessment
• Cleanup and Repairs

Keep It Safe

One of the first steps you should take is shutting off power in the affected areas since water and electricity are a dangerous, potentially deadly, mix.

If you need to go into the damaged space, consider the source of the water; if there’s any chance of contamination, such as from stormwater or an overflowing toilet, wear protective clothing and wash hands thoroughly after handling anything that has been in the water.

Assess the Damage

If the damage is significant, you may want to contact your insurance company to find out whether or not you have coverage. Keep in mind that water damage is different from flood damage, and insurance companies adjust differently for the two. If you are covered, an adjuster will likely want to take pictures of the damage to help evaluate your claim. You may want to take your own pictures as well in order to have a record of what has happened.

Cleaning Up and Making Repairs

It is important to act fast when you have standing water, as mold and bacteria can begin to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Even if the damage was caused by clean water, the longer it stands, the better the chance of contamination.

In most cases, you should contact a restoration professional to come out and evaluate the situation. These people have the knowledge, experience and equipment to deal with the problem safely and efficiently. They can advise you about the extent of your damages and the need for any repairs, whether fixing broken pipes or replacing damaged wallboard.

Water damage can be frustrating and overwhelming, but following these steps can help you manage the problem as efficiently as possible so that you can get your home and your life back to normal.

How to Safely Clean and Disinfect After Sewer Damage

7/28/2022 (Permalink)

Sewer damage in Scarsdale, NY

Types Of Contaminated Water

A flooded toilet is always inconvenient, but it can also be dangerous. A toilet flood is usually caused by a clog or a block in the drain that isn't allowing things to flow out correctly. There are three types of contaminated water that you may encounter when you have a toilet backup, and the category of contamination will help you to know how dangerous it is for people in your home.

1. Clean Water
Clean water is water that floods into your home from a broken water line. This is not true sewer cleanup, because the water is not contaminated with any type of sewage. As long as it hasn't mixed with other contaminants, you can clean up this water with towels, a mop, or a shop vacuum.

2. Gray Water
Gray water has urine in it. A sewer backup can cause your toilet to overflow into your bathroom, and the bacteria present make this a more dangerous cleanup process. Make sure that pets and small children can't get to the overflow by closing doors. Open windows to ventilate the area, if possible, and wear personal protective equipment if you attempt to do any cleaning yourself. You should dispose of anything you use for cleaning afterwards.

3. Black Water
Black water is the most dangerous level of sewer cleanup that you're likely to encounter because of a toilet backup. This contains water with feces and anything that comes from beyond the toilet trap. If you must clean, wear gloves, a mask, goggles, and boots. Shovel debris into heavy plastic bags and dispose of them immediately. Use bleach to prevent the spread of infection. However, this type of sewer backup is especially toxic, and it is best to leave the cleanup to a professional.

While it is possible to do some of the cleanup yourself with some of the less severe categories, it's always best to contact a local sewage cleanup and restoration expert in Scarsdale, NY. You want to be very sure that your home is properly disinfected and that there won't be any future complications from sewer cleanup that wasn't thorough enough.

Concepts To Understand When Dealing With Business Interruption Insurance

3/3/2022 (Permalink)

Businesses can be disrupted by a variety of disasters, including severe flooding.

When It Comes To Business Interruption Insurance, There Are A Few Things To Keep In Mind.

Many different disasters, such as severe flooding, can result in business interruption. Whether the water comes from a broken pipe or a hurricane, your company will probably need to shut down while a water remediation company fixes the damage. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to know the various terms you will find on your business interruption insurance policy.

Business Income

Your policy will cover reduced business income that is a direct result of the flooding. Business income is calculated using:

• Typical net income
• Normal operating expenses

Actual Sustained Loss

This type of insurance covers your Scarsdale, NY, business from any actual loss sustained due to flooding. This means you will only receive funds if you experience a disaster that directly contributes to your inability to run your business for enough time that you experience a loss of income. However, the amount of funds you receive is subject to the specifics of your situation.

Period of Restoration

Insurers are only responsible for your income that was lost during the period of restoration. This is the time from when the damage occurs to when the building should reasonably be operational again.

Extra Expense

Sometimes, business interruption insurance can be used to cover any extra expense. These are expenses incurred during the period of restoration that you would not have experienced if your business had been operational.

Service Interruption

Certain policies will allow their clients a service interruption extension for their period of restoration if they do not have the necessary utilities to operate their business. This extension does not require that clients name the utility providers as an added insured on their policy.

Understanding these crucial terms is critical to knowing whether your interruption insurance will cover the time you were shut down due to large water damage or another disaster. Make sure you read about these terms and your policy before trying to file a claim.

What To Do If A Pipe Breaks

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

Our team is quick to respond to this flooded home. After a pipe malfunction, our team showed up with extractors and began to mitigate the damage.

What Should You Do If A Pipe Bursts?

A pipe with weak points or a pipe under pressure often goes unnoticed until it breaks. Bursting pipes require the assistance of a water restoration specialist. Professional technicians not only fix the broken pipe but also clean up the flood waters to help you avoid mold. When a pipe breaks in your home in Scarsdale, NY, the following steps can help you get your home on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.

1. Stop the flow of water. The sooner you can arrest the flood at its source, the smaller the flood will be. Every minute counts when it comes to preventing extensive water damage. Shutting off the main water valve won’t repair the damaged pipe, but it can help to minimize the amount of cleanup that is required.

2. Call the professionals. Enlisting the services of experienced technicians to deal with bursting pipes and their aftermath is crucial to preventing further damage. Flood restoration specialists can remove excess water and dry out the flooded area. It is important to start this process as soon as possible to prevent the growth of mold. If your home in Scarsdale, NY, is left untreated after a flood, you are welcoming spores to settle and multiply on damp surfaces.

3. Document the damage. While you are waiting for the repair technicians to arrive, take pictures and make a list of everything that needs to be repaired or replaced. Fight the urge to clean up the mess before you do this. Your rushed efforts could leave you with insufficient evidence of the problem when you file an insurance claim, and if the water is contaminated, it could spread harmful bacteria or make you ill. It’s best to leave the cleanup to the experienced professionals.

Bursting pipes require immediate action. If a pipe breaks in your home, enlisting repair services quickly to fix it and clean up the mess can significantly minimize the damage and further complications.

3 Tips for Water Damage Claims

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

Most homeowners policies cover sudden or accidental water damage, but not all repairs associated with it are necessarily covered.

3 Water Damage Claims Tips

Bursting pipes are not the only issue that could prompt the need for water remediation services in your home. So many different factors can play into filing your insurance claim that you may not know where to begin or how to decide if the damage to your home in Bronxville, NY, is covered. Here are three ways to improve your confidence that your claim will be accepted.

1. Review Your Policy

Most homeowners' policies cover sudden or accidental water damage, but not every repair associated with it is necessarily covered. For example, your insurance will likely pay for the damage caused by a busted pipe but not to fix the broken pipe itself. Depending on the exemptions in your coverage, you may be able to pay for the remediation of any secondary damage that happens as a result of the original issue if it was covered by your policy. Your insurance agent can help you understand exactly what your policy covers.

2. Perform Regular Maintenance

The key to an accepted claim is often your own vigilance. Have bursting pipes repaired as soon as you notice the problem. Perform regular inspections and maintenance on all your plumbing. Make sure that your roof is intact, and have any weak points fixed immediately. If damage happens because you neglected to take care of your home, your claim may be denied.

3. Keep Accurate Records

Keeping a file with records of the repairs that plumbers and other maintenance professionals have done can help you back up your insurance claim. If your action on an issue is called into question, you have proof that you stayed on top of the problem. Accurate records also help keep you on track so that you remember when your last inspection or update was performed.

Whether water damage was caused by bursting pipes or some other type of leak, responding quickly and keeping an account of how you responded is important. Your fast action and knowledge of your policy can help you file a successful claim.