subject: Disaster Tips in Utah for Flood, Fire, Water, Mold and Smoke [print this page] Disaster Tips in Utah for Flood, Fire, Water, Mold and Smoke
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF FIRE - SMOKE - WATER - MOLD
DISASTER CLEAN UP TIPS FROM UTAH DISASTER RESTORATION COMPANY
How to Deal With Fire and Smoke Damage
When fires burn they create 3 damaging effects.
1. First is heat, heat raises the pressure in the home pushing the smoke odors and soot into walls, furniture, flooring, and clothing. All of these need to be cleaned and deodorized or removed.
2. Second is smoke, smoke produces the pungent odor that you will smell after a fire.
3. Third is soot, soot is corrosive when it comes in contact with items in the home. The longer soot is on anything in the home the more damage is done to that item. Soot becomes even more corrosive when water is introduced to it.
Damages from a fire are typically very expensive, for this reason you will almost always want to file an insurance claim if possible.
Here at Pride Restorations we are an IICRC certified firm. We have the tools, equipment, and knowledge to take care of your fire and smoke damage needs with ease.
We at Pride Restorations provide FREE evaluations around the clock day or night. We can tell you exactly what needs to be done in your home to get you back as quickly as possible. We will work directly with you insurance company to ensure your home.
How to Identify the Extent of Your Flood, Water/Sewage Damage
The most important step in deciding whether or not to fix your water damage problem yourself is to correctly identify the extent of damage. Many people mistakenly think that simply removing the water out of the carpet or off the surface is sufficient for fixing damaged areas.
Actually the majority of problems caused by water are not visible on the surface. Water is absorbed into the other building materials in your home, such as wood and sheetrock at rates as high as three inches per hour! This moisture, although not visible, becomes a breeding ground for mold. Drying out the carpet only addresses half the problem, which means a small problem can turn into a very large problem without your even knowing.
This is why you need Pride Restorations (disaster clean up and restoration in Utah) FREE evaluation whenever you have a flood or sewer problem. We will use state of the art technology and equipment to determine what measures are needed to make your home safe again.
Use this category reference guide when you call your agent:
Category 1 Water Loss
Originates from a sanitary water source and does not pose substantial risk to humans from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure.
* Example- If a culinary water line freezes and breaks or if someone forgets to turn off a sink and it overflows both would be categorized as a Category 1 loss. This water loss is not likely to make you sick unless it mixes with some other contaminant found inside the home, and therefore causes the least amount of damage.
Category 2 Water Loss
Category 2 water can contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms as well as other organic or inorganic matter. This type of loss posses a elevated level of health risks.
* Example- This type of loss would include a washing machine that breaks and has dirty water that spills onto the carpet. Also ground water that enters the home such as water from your sump pumps in your basement.
Category 3 Water Loss
Category 3 losses are grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxic and/or other harmful agents. Such water may contain silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, or toxic organic substances. Category 3 losses have the potential to cause serious illnesses and/or death. Category 3 losses include all water that originates from a source beyond the Pea Trap regardless of color or content.
* Example- Category 3 losses include sewage; toilet and drain backflows regardless of visible content or color; all forms of flooding from salt water from fish tanks, or other weather related events.
How to Deal With Mold
This can be a very difficult question to answer over the phone. It takes a trained professional with testing equipment to determine what kind of mold you have. There are varying types of mold with varying degrees of contaminating spores.
However, here are a few items that we can recommend a homeowner should never do if you suspect you have a mold problem.
1. Never put a fan on mold. This will spread mold spores through the house and make it worse.
2. If you see mold don't start tearing it out. Call Pride Restorations for a free evaluation.
3. Cut off any moisture or water supply that might be coming in contact with the mold. Moisture is a growth stimulant for mold.
4. If you find mold in your home, avoid the area by closing it off from the rest of the home and call Pride Restorations At 801-447-9352
Can YOUR Insurance Company Tell YOU what Restoration Company to Use?
NO! It is against the law for an insurance company to force you to use one of their "Preferred Service Providers". It is solely up to the homeowner to choose for themselves which Restoration company to use. It is important that whichever restoration company you choose is an IICRC certified firm, such as Pride Restorations.
Should I Make An Insurance Claim?
There are many factors that a homeowner must take into consideration when deciding whether to make an insurance claim or to "pay out of pocket" when a water loss occurs inside the home. The most important step when making this determination is to correctly identify the full scope of damage caused by the water.
Once all of the wet building material has been recognized you then can decide whether or not the damage warrants placing a claim. Pride Restorations will help you understand the costs involved with each disaster. Then you as the home owner can decide if you want to place a claim. Remember that Pride Restorations will do all of this at no charge to you.
Billing Process
Most home owners have never filed a claim before, by having us work with your insurance company directly you do not have to become an "insurance expert" to get things taken care of. Pride Restorations has working relationships with all major insurance companies.
This helps makes the difficulty of working through your individual insurance company much easier. In most cases we simply collect your deductible and then bill your insurance company directly. We will meet you and your adjuster after you have filed your claim and work directly with he/she keeping you informed throughout the entire process.
In the event that you do not place a claim with your insurance provider we require 50% down to start your project, additional may be required before the completion of your project depending on size and scope. Final payment is required the same day your project is completed.
If you or someone you know has a problem or a disaster (anything from flood, water, pipes breaking, fire, smoke or mold damage) in Utah, please feel free to call Lance and Pride Restorations, your Utah Disaster Clean Up and Restoration Specialists at 801-447-9352
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