Restoring your home or business after water damage is a frustrating experience. Fortunately, natural disasters don’t occur every day, and hopefully you’ll never have to deal with water damage from rising water or flooding. However, simple plumbing leaks or overflows, broken or burst pipes and sewer or septic backups are far more common. While dealing with water damage may seem fairly simple (mop or wet vacuum; fans used to promote evaporation), unfortunately, this fails to consider the degree to which water can penetrate into structural cavities and assemblies, creating trapped pockets of saturation. Too late, property owners become aware of the on-going effect of this trapped water on structural and contents materials, which may include: discoloration, warping, splitting, delamination, and musty odor and mold growth.

Don’t Gamble with Your Home and Family’s Health!

• If a pipe, water heater or appliance is broken and leaking, locate shutoff valve and shut off water to house. This will prevent more water entering the house.
• AVOID HAZARDS! Be extremely careful of the deadly combination of water and electricity. Also, be cautious of slippery wet carpets and floors. Stay away from Raw Sewage backups, which contain nasty bacteria and can be harmful to your health.
• CALL 612-331-4454 for 24 Hour Emergency Services, from our IICRC Certified Water Damage experts. We’ll get your home clean and dry as fast as possible, to return your life to normal!
• Prevent Damage – Wood furniture will leave permanent stains in carpet, so move it to an unaffected area if possible, or put foil under the legs until we arrive!

Fixing Water Damage NOW Prevents Mold Problems Later!

Water Damage Restoration is a complex process. An inexperienced company that rushes through the job can cause more harm than good by drying the surface of your structure while leaving moisture trapped inside the walls and floors. This can lead to microbial growth that can adversely affect your health and that of your family.

Done Right has the right equipment to dry any structure, and years of experience in Water Damage, Flood Cleanup, and Applied Structural Drying.

After any standing water has been removed and any leaks have been identified and repaired, our specialists use powerful state of the art fans, dehumidifiers, air scrubbers, and desiccant equipment to remove of the extra moisture that remains in the air. We also continually adjust the temperature and humidity to reduce or eliminate any warping, swelling, or cracking of floors, walls, and furniture.

“One Call Does It All 612-331-4454″

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Flooded Basement? Water Damage? Broken Pipe? – Steps Your Must Take Now!

Water damage is one of the most common homeowner’s insurance claims in the country. Most water damages are caused due to frozen, broken or burst pipes, leaky appliances and flooded basements. These occurrences often lead people to discover the details of their home insurance policies.

When It Comes To Water Damage, What You Don’t Know Can Cost You!

With spring rains and spring flooding just around the corner, and there are things people can be doing today to help ensure they’re as prepared as possible should flooding occur in their area. The first thing people should consider – even those in low-risk flood zones or areas which have never flooded before – is purchasing flood insurance.

According to an interactive tool on NFIP’s website just 2 inches of water could cost you $7,800 in cleanup. And over the past 10 years, the average flood claim has amounted to over $33,000.

Are You Prepared for Spring Flooding?

You are eligible to purchase flood insurance as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Check the Community Status Book to see if your community is already an NFIP partner. Consumers should be aware that flood insurance policies generally take 30 days to go into effect. For more information on flood insurance, and to find out your flood risk, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

FLASH_Insurance_Guide

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Flooded Basement?

Here’s a question thousands of homeowners and renters will be asking now that Spring is finally here.  Will insurance cover the water damage in my basement? Unfortunately for most the answer is “probably not.” Standard Homeowners’ insurance does not cover damage from flooding, so unless you have a specific flood insurance policy, you will have to foot the bill for any water damage from the recent rains. The Insurance Information Institute offers this rule of thumb: water that comes from top down (ice dams, for example) is generally covered, but when water comes from the bottom up, such as in flooding, it’s not covered.

Water damage can result in increased insurance rates, decreased resale value of home and property, and even health issues for years to come if not properly – and promptly – repaired. Learn how to protect yourself and your family from water related damage with these quick tips:

§  React Fast. Time is of the essence. When water damage takes place it is imperative to contact a Minnesota water damage repair and restoration company as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the next morning – search for providers that offer 24/7 support! Mold and mildew can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours! Thus prompt action is important following a water-related disaster or accident. The speed with which you take action to begin the water damage restoration process will determine how much can be salvaged.

§  Remove. Until all the water is extracted and the humidity levels returned to normal, it may be necessary to remove furniture and other items from the area even if they aren’t in direct contact with the water. High humidity and general unsanitary conditions may contaminate other items. Work with a reputable Minnesota water damage restoration expert that provides water extraction, sewage clean-ups, crawl space drying, structural drying, basement drying, dehumidification, odor control, sanitization, disinfecting, carpet cleaning, debris removal, emergency board-ups and mold remediation.

§  Report. Extensive water related damages often require the financial support of insurance – after all, that is what insurance is for. Don’t risk the health and security of your family and investments by trying to do it yourself; instead, locate a reputable water damage and restoration company that works with insurance to help you begin the process of restoring your property. Find one that is already insurance approved.

§  Renew. Sometimes it is necessary to eliminate contaminated items – especially if the water damage is due to sewage backup, flood waters or other potentially harmful water sources. The rule of thumb is “if in doubt – throw it out”. A qualified water restoration expert can assist in providing valuable information on whether or not your belongings are safe to keep and capable of being cleaned.

§  Review. Water damage can impact the entire home including air quality, drywall, upholstery and even hardwood flooring. Save time and money by dealing with a company capable of providing the services you need. When searching for a Minnesota water damage repair company, consider a full service company that provides carpet and  upholstery cleaning, duct cleaning, all with just one call. It saves valuable time and money so you can get your home – and life- back to normal.

“One Call Does It All 612-331-4454″

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If there was a flood or major pinhole leak  or broken water pipe in your home, it is likely that in addition to the water damage to the floors, the walls have been affected, too. There are instances when the water damage to the walls is apparent but oftentimes, the damage is unseen and cannot be easily detected by the average homeowner.

If the flood or leak entered a room from the ground level, the floor including the carpeting, if there is any, will be covered by water which will then start to create vertical wicking in the walls. The degree of this reaction will rely on several factors such as the amount of water and how high the water level reached on the wall as well as the wall construction.

Drywall is very absorbent because its core is made of gypsum and both of its sides are made of a type of paper similar to a cardboard. Because of its porosity, you can expect water to wick up on a drywall to more than two feet.  Both sides of the drywall will be wet but the inside part will contain more water for the simple reason that water would not quickly evaporate from that side. Very often, signs of moisture from the inside of the wall are not visible.

For a professional trained in water damage restoration, the process of restoring wet walls starts with finding out how badly the walls are damaged. There is a wide range of professional metering devices that can be used by a restoration expert to help assess water damage. Noninvasive devices are among those widely-used by experts such as a moisture meter that checks for moisture in the wall using radio waves and an infrared (IR) imaging camera that also detects moisture since a damp wall would be cooler than a dry wall. These devices are noninvasive because there is no need to create holes or do anything with the wall material.

A professional water damage restoration contractor will select the structural drying equipment in a scientific method based on materials, size of the water damage area, and the class and category of the water damage.  After the restoration expert has identified which walls have been water damaged, the drying process will begin aided by several types drying equipment.

If the wall has no insulation, drying can be done without having to remove the baseboard or making holes in the wall. The restoration expert will use equipment called air movers to remove the molecules of water from the wall surface and allow the water to evaporate quickly. An air mover will be positioned along the wet wall for, approximately, every ten linear feet. During this process, more water is drawn to the surface of the wall as moisture evaporates from that particular surface.

Another important and state-of-the art device used by water damage restoration professionals is a dehumidifier, which is installed to reduce the level of humidity in the walls and help stop the formation of mold. More than one dehumidifier may be used as necessary.

A special drying system for the inner walls can also be used if the restoration expert sees it appropriate. This system involves directing air to enter the wall cavity above the sill plate by creating holes in this area. According to studies, this is the quickest and most effective way of drying water-damaged walls.

In some instances, the inside or outside wall has some material or coating over it that acts like a barrier that restricts the movement of moisture in the walls. If this is the case with the walls in your home, the restoration expert will perform a different process of drying that will depend on the wall coating or covering. Latex paints, for instance, are not moisture barriers because they are porous. Glossy paint can lock in a certain amount of moisture but enamel paint and vinyl coverings retain moisture completely.

In the last case, the restoration expert will have to perforate the wall covering to let the water molecules escape in order for the walls to dry. He would also need to remove the wall if the inside has plastic or foil because the wall will not dry properly otherwise and will surely encourage mold development.

Having wall insulation is another factor to be considered in the drying method. If the material used for insulation is paper-backed fiberglass, then the drying technique described above for inner walls can be used. However, if the fiberglass has foil backing, or if the insulation material is Styrofoam or blown-in cellulose, then it would be more difficult to dry the wall. In this situation, the damaged section of the wall needs to be removed together with the insulation to facilitate quick drying and prevent mold growth.

Whatever restoration method or technique that the Restoration Company performs, homeowners should be aware that the equipment to be used for the drying process must be operating continuously throughout the entire process. To insure that drying equipment is functioning properly, the expert will perform multiple checks everyday and make any necessary adjustments.

During the daily checks, the restoration expert will also measure the moisture level in the materials to determine if the drying process is successful. To determine complete and proper drying of materials, their moisture level is compared with similar materials in the wall structure that were not water damaged. Once the moisture level is the same between the affected and unaffected materials, then the drying process is complete and the crew will remove the drying equipment.

Proper drying of water damaged walls may take several weeks. If the walls are not dried properly, mold and mildew growth will continue and this will eventually damage the structures of your home or lead to other unpleasant outcomes such as repainting your walls, replacing wall coverings, or worse, family illness.

If the water damage is not extensive and you are confident that you can manage the restoration on your own, you can do so with some simple methods. The first thing you need to is to extract the water from your home as soon as possible, including water-soaked furnishings. After removing the water, clean the flood-soiled walls from debris and mud before the walls dry out. All you need to do this is a sponge, mop cloth and hose. Begin washing the wall from the highest point reached by the flood and work your way downwards.

Remove the wallboard as well as the paneling and plaster up to at least the level of the flooding. Wallboards are highly absorbent so if it is exposed to floodwater, which obviously contains all sorts of contaminants, then it becomes a serious health hazard and must be removed.  If the water damage is from rain water, however, you can just cut a section about four-inches up to a foot from top and bottom of the walls. Doing so will force air to enter that side of the wall for quicker drying.

You may not need to replace the plaster but drying it takes a lot of time. You may also be able to salvage some wall paneling by drying them slowly. If you have wall insulation and it has also been water damaged, you may need to get rid of it because it will retain moisture for months after. After being wet, most insulation is ineffective, but it will continue to hold moisture for a long time and will create high moisture conditions which will damage metal, masonry, and wood.

When cleaning water damaged walls or any other surface, make sure you wash and disinfect them thoroughly, including all exposed sections. Using a good disinfectant is necessary to inhibit mildew growth.

If you will be washing walls that have already dried, start from the bottom up so as not to produce streaking. Use clean water because dry walls may absorb the water and if it’s dirty, then it would be very difficult to remove the stains.

Your next task is to get all the moisture out of the walls as well as from absorbent materials like wood or plaster. Cut out the wet sections so air can begin circulating. Provided the weather is good, open the windows and doors of your home to aid moisture evaporation. This will also help get rid of odors. However, you must keep an eye on the weather because if it suddenly becomes considerably more humid outside than inside then you must close up your house. Similarly, keep windows and doors closed throughout the night if the temperature drops and opening them will only draw moist air inside.

If the level of humidity outside is high, you may want to use a home dehumidifier to quicken the drying process. If moisture is still present after 12 hours, you may have to cut a bigger hole in the wall to let more air in.  You need to keep an eye on the drying process and check the level of moisture to ensure that mold does not develop. Mold growth can start even before the walls dry out completely so this is actually one major concern why many homeowners choose to hire professional water damage specialists since natural drying does take longer than professional methods.

You may consider renting commercial-grade dehumidifiers that can effectively remove moisture up to four times than ordinary dehumidifiers. Remember to close the windows and doors when you are using this equipment. If the extent of damage caused by the flooding is severe and calls for commercial drying equipment, it would be best to simply hire a water removal and water damage restoration crew to do the job. There are companies that can complete the job within a week or less.

The aftermath of a water damage problem is not the time to discover what is and is not covered in your homeowners’ insurance policy.  Too many people wake up to a flood, call their providers, and are politely told that they are on their own.  Insurance, as it applies to water damage, is a tricky situation.

It becomes of utmost importance for homeowners to learn and understand their insurance plans, knowing what is covered, what isn’t, and making the appropriate adjustments.  This is the only way to avoid being caught unawares when that upstairs pipe breaks or the local dam gives way.

A Minnesota Water Damage Restoration Expert has both the skill and the experience that allows us to work directly with your homeowners’ insurance provider or claims adjuster.  This not only spares you, the homeowner from the headaches that always seem to go along with handling insurance matters, but gives you the peace of mind knowing they have done it many times before and that they will do the legwork for you, submitting your claim, and doing whatever is necessary to make sure that claim is properly processed and resolved.

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that flooding is covered by your homeowners’ policy.  It isn’t.  Flood coverage may be available for an additional premium, but it depends on the provider, whether or not your home is located in an area prone to flooding, and other factors.  Many flood prone communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), established by the Federal government to provide flood insurance coverage, as well as working with communities in high risk areas to take the proper steps to protect their residents from the flooding threat.

People often overlook the importance of flooding protection, believing that they will simply get Federal disaster relief if their home is damaged by flood waters.  While this may be true, it is predicated on whether or not the community is declared a disaster area, and even then, disaster relief often comes in the form of low interest loans that must be paid back, along with whatever the current mortgage payment is on the property.  By having adequate flood insurance coverage, you are simply responsible for the premium, and will not have to deal with the added burden of a substantial new monthly payment following the restoration of your home.

In other cases of water damage, coverage may not exist, or may be denied if the damage can in any way be traced back to negligence on the part of the property owner.  If your roof gets damaged in a storm, that may be covered, but if the roof was damaged in a storm because it was not properly maintained, then coverage will be denied.    Coverage may also be denied if you wait too long to file your claim.  Some companies will deny water damage coverage if the damage is more than 48 hours old.  In every way, timing is important in the wake of water damage.

Water Damage | Water Damage Insurance

Water damage cleanup, repair and restoration can be a costly operation, and surely you’d want to receive financial help from your home insurance policy. In fact, water damage is one of the top reasons why most home insurance plan holders make claims.

Unfortunately, home insurance tends to be tricky when it comes to water damage, which is why many people have had negative experiences when claiming insurance benefits for their water damaged house.

The biggest challenge in making a water damage insurance claim lies in determining whether your water damage problem is covered by your policy. But even if you are uncertain about whether your insurance plan will cover your water damage expenses, it is still best to report any water damage incident to your provider.

Water Damage Insurance Reporting

Even in the panic of finding your home flooded, don’t forget to call up your insurance company to report the damage. Ask them about the step by step process they require in making a claim, and you may also ask for some recommendations on which water damage companies you can trust. You are not obliged to heed their advice, but there’s no harm in including the recommended companies in your comparisons when you ask for quotes. If you have had any kind of water intrusion, a proper inspection by a Certified (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Professional can help detect water intrusion issues early, saving thousands of dollars in repairs costs.

Is Your Home Insured Against Water Damage?

Will My Insurance Cover It? Yes. No. Maybe. The single most confusing element related to water damage is what is and is not covered. Find out what you have, or don’t have, and learn what you need when it comes to water damage and your insurance.

Flood Insurance What It Covers and What It Doesn’t

You’ve just returned to your home after vacation to find a flooded basement, perhaps due to a sewer or septic backup or broken water pipe and realize that in order to be able to get your life back on track you will have to have your house repaired. Or perhaps a drain clog caused the water in your sink to back up and overflow, and now your kitchen is a virtual swimming pool, right inside the house. What to do?  Look for and bring out that homeowner’s insurance policy because you will have to file an insurance claim for water damage.

Water Damage Insurance Claims

The aftermath of a water damage event is not the time to discover what is and is not covered in your homeowners’ insurance policy.  Too many people wake up to a flood, call their providers, and are politely told that they are on their own.  Insurance, as it applies to water damage, is a tricky situation.

It becomes of utmost importance for homeowners to learn and understand their insurance plans, knowing what is covered, what isn’t, and making the appropriate adjustments.  This is the only way to avoid being caught unawares when that upstairs pipe bursts or the local dam gives way.  Find out if your insurance will pay for water damage.

Filing a Damage Claim For Water Damage

Your responsibilities, as outlined in most residential property insurance policies, include, but are not limited to:

• Give prompt written notice to the insurer of the facts relating to the claim

• Protect the property from further damage

• Make reasonable and necessary repairs to protect the property

• Keep an accurate record of repair expenses

Your actions should include, whenever possible:

• Stop the water leak/flow

• Remove standing water and begin drying the area

• Photograph the damaged property

• Remove water soaked materials

• Keep removed materials and move them to a secure, dry and well-ventilated area, or outdoors

• Protect repairable and undamaged items from further damage

• Keep an activity log, including a record of all contact with your insurance company

• Keep all receipts

• Don’t throw away removed or damaged materials until instructed by your insurance company

• Don’t jeopardize your safety

• Don’t make large structural or permanent repairs

• Don’t exceed personal capabilities

By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to properly taking care of any water damage situation in your home.

Creating a Home Inventory

Creating a home inventory is one of the most important steps you can take in order to make sure you are adequately insured–and it can make filing a claim in the event of a disaster much easier as well.

Now comes the hard but necessary part – computing the damage costs. You’re probably at a loss, and don’t know where to start and how to do it. Here we’ll show you how and what to do step by step.

Call the Insurance Company

The first thing you’ve got to do is call your insurance company to inform them that you’re going to file a claim.

Make Temporary Repairs

Next, try to prevent further water damage from occurring by making temporary repairs. Make sure you keep the receipts for any repair work done, as payments for temporary repairs will be among those costs you will file for. What is important is that you’re able to arrest any water damage from further destroying your house. If you need to relocate, bring the receipts with you.

If there are any wet areas in your house, dry them and make sure there is enough air circulation to help speed up the drying process. This will help to minimize the growth of mold. Not everything that was damaged in your house may be eligible for insurance, so you must trust to save as much as you can.

Make a Home Inventory

Now you will have to separate the water damaged items from the undamaged ones, and make an inventory of the damaged stuff. Have a notebook ready, because you will have to list every single item that was destroyed.

We suggest that you work from room to room, listing the water damaged items in one room, then moving on to the next room. This will help you keep your list organized. Alternatively, you can group your list by category, such as all kitchen items together, all electrical equipment together, and so on. Make sure you don’t overlook anything, because once you submit your proof of loss, you may not be allowed to make any additions.

List every single piece of damaged item, making sure to include quantities, brand names, where you purchased them, the cost, model, and serial number. Describe in detail the damage to each item. Then, put in your estimate of the amount for each one. If you have receipts, attach them to your list.

Take Photographs for Proof

Your insurance company will need proof that the items you’re filing a claim for were really damaged, and the best way to show this is through photographs. A camera or a video camera will help, and will make it easier for you to substantiate your claim. Attach these photographs to your inventory.

Videotape or take wide-angle photos of entire rooms, which will help show the magnitude of a loss. If you use a video camera, you can record audio descriptions and make special comments. Take individual, close-up shots of expensive items and group shots of lower-value items. Zoom in on labels and special features, like signatures on artwork or serial numbers on appliances and electronics. Be sure to date each photo or use the date imprint function on your video camera.

When you inventory outdoor items, include bicycles, sporting goods, yard equipment and any other articles kept outside. While you’re outside, it’s also a good idea to photograph each side of your home’s exterior. Include your carport and other structures like a storage shed. Capture rare trees or shrubs and unusual landscaping. These things aren’t considered personal property, but it will be helpful to have a record of their appearance in case of a loss.

Home Inventory Worksheet

You Need A Water Damage Expert On Your Side

Water damage restoration is not a simple process and involves many stages using high powered equipment and expert knowledge so as not to cause further damage.  A professional water damage restoration contractor will use innovative methods for water extraction and removal that involves drying of carpets, rugs, mats, floors and walls to deodorizing and disinfecting effect that restores your damaged areas.

When your home or business suffers water damage there are a lot of different things demanding your attention. The last thing you want or need is to have to deal with the insurance company and that entire process. Look for a Certified Minnesota Restoration Expert that is insurance approved. They can answer all of your questions about the insurance claim process.

Water damage comes in a variety of ways and quantities, from simple seepage through cracks in the floor or foundation, leaky water heaters, and overflowing toilets or sinks to broken pipes, backed up sewers or septic systems, and outright floods from lakes and rivers. No matter what the source or cause, unwanted water can do enormous damage to your belongings and property.

Water damage requires a prompt response in order to clean up the mess, make your home livable, and prevent mold. While the cleanup crews move quickly, the aftermath can seem to take forever. There are many things that demand your attention. You have insurance claims forms to file, bills to pay, and items to replace. In the event of a disaster, a detailed inventory will be imperative for your compensation.

Creating a Home Inventory

Creating a home inventory is one of the most important steps you can take in order to make sure you are adequately insured–and it can make filing a claim in the event of a disaster much easier as well.

After all, it’s the inventory that establishes which items the insurance company will pay to clean, restore, or replace – and it’s the inventory that the insurance company uses to determine how much to pay. With this in mind, thoroughly documenting all damaged items is an absolute must.

What should an inventory contain? At its most basic, a home inventory is a list of all of your home’s belongings and their value. Ideally, you will have created a home inventory before any damage occurs. This would give you a good starting point for your insurance claim. Whether you have an existing inventory or not, after a water damage claim, you will need to identify and list all damaged items as part of the insurance claims process.

If you have an existing inventory, use it to highlight all damaged items, adding items to the list if necessary. If you do not have an inventory, you’ll need to start from scratch. Separate all water damaged items from the non-damaged items. Your water damage restoration company may have already done this step for you. Next, take photos of each item and list each item on a sheet of paper or in a spreadsheet. You’ll want to note the following:

• Item name – What type of item is it? For example, TV, antique vase, computer tower, area rug, etc.

• Item description – Describe the item in greater detail. For example, 55-inch Sony Bravia LCD TV or handmade 12×12 blue and yellow Turkish area rug

• Value – How much did you pay for the item? How much is it currently worth?

• Purchase date or approximate age – When did you purchase the item? How old is it?

Any special notes – Here’s where you’ll enter additional details. For example, is the item one-of-a-kind? Upgraded?

Home Inventory Worksheet

Disasters happen. When they do, we will be there. We will keep you operating and get your facility or business back to normal as quickly as possible. We offer complete emergency services through minimizing further damage and restoration of both building and contents.

“One Call Does It All 612-331-4454″

Direct Insurance Billing | At Your Door in 1 Hour or Less | 24 Hour Service

24/7/365 Emergency Service.  Approved by all insurance companies. Fast Response.  A Rating with BBB. Done Right Water and Fire Restoration.  Call today free estimates. 612-331-4454

When it comes to water damage in your home, you just don’t have the luxury of sitting back and “thinking” about what to do.  The longer you wait, the more damage it will do to your home and the more health problems it will cause for you and your family.

Time Is Not On Your Side

Simply put, time is not on your side, and you need to take action… fast!  Cleaning it up quickly will restore your property and protect your health.

Most insurance policies require that you do so within 48 hours.

This is because molds can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of a water event. Stopping the flow of water and drying out materials as soon as possible reduces the potential for mold growth. Every delay is only going to make matters worse. Water damage claims that include active mold growth involve significantly higher costs than water damage claims without mold. Most of the damages can be minimized thereby reducing major expenses, by quick and timely action.

Steps You Must Take NOW to Prevent Further Damage!

• If a pipe, water heater or appliance is broken and leaking, locate shutoff valve and shut off water to house. This will prevent more water entering the house.
• AVOID HAZARDS! Be extremely careful of the deadly combination of water and electricity. Also, be cautious of slippery wet carpets and floors. Stay away from Raw Sewage backups, which contain nasty bacteria and can be harmful to your health.
• CALL 612-331-4454 for 24 Hour Emergency Services, from our IICRC Certified Water Damage experts. We’ll get your home clean and dry as fast as possible, to return your life to normal!
• Prevent Further Damage – Wood furniture will leave permanent stains in carpet, so move it to an unaffected area if possible, or put foil under the legs until we arrive!

Don’t Gamble With Your Home and Family’s Health!

Water Damage Restoration is a complex process. An inexperienced company that rushes through the job can cause more harm than good by drying the surface of your structure while leaving moisture trapped inside the walls and floors. This can lead to microbial growth that can adversely affect your health and that of your family.

You know that any down time in work or production costs big money. Who has time for a flood? The confusion and questions of “what to do?”,“how did this happen?” and worries of how long you will be out of business loom large.

Building Owners and Property Managers Don’t Let An Emergency Shut You Down!

Don’t let an emergency shut you down! Whether you are a business owner or commercial property manager you do not question the possibility of a disaster, but rather ask yourself “what could happen, and when?”

Time is NOT on Your Side!

When a flood, storm or water related emergency has damaged your property, you need the help of an experienced Minnesota Water Damage Restoration Expert that can be dispatched at a moments notice to limit your damage and return your property to normal as quickly as possible.

Flooded Warehouse in Brooklyn Center Minnesota

The entire warehouse was flooded after a supply line burst. The buildings received varying degrees of water damage with some “severely damaged” by the flooding. The flood waters had various water levels standing in different parts of the building.

Upon the initial inspection, the assessment team determined and informed them that spaces which had sustained water damage must undergo extensive work, including the removal of all furnishings and equipment, including computers.

Furniture that could be salvaged was cleaned of any contaminates. We remained on site until buildings was secure.

The building owner/manager and staff whose offices were in the water damaged building were assisted in relocating until the clean-up was completed.

Drywall in affected areas was removed 2 to 4 feet high. The building and all structural components were dried and decontaminated with antimicrobial products and dehumidification processes and any wooden studs were treated with an antimicrobial product.

Flood Damage Is Traumatic. Done Right Is There When You Need Them!

• Insurance claim specialists are on staff to assist you with professional service and knowledgeable information
• 24 hr emergency service for: Board Up, Debris Removal, and Emergency Contracting
• Complete inspection of interior and exterior of property for all related damage, including possible hidden damage.

Plus  . . . We assist you with the Insurance claim process including:

• Initiate claim
• Claim paper work
• Detailed estimate
• Meet with adjuster
• Negotiate the scope and cost of repairs with insurance company
• Arrange proper payment from insurance company to property owner

Your project manager will be in contact with you regularly throughout the project to provide status updates, answer questions and cover any other information that needs to be discussed. If you have any questions or concerns during the project you can contact our office at any time. We’ll be here for you whenever you call.

“One Call Does It All 612-331-4454″

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Every homeowner should be aware or familiar with the classes of water losses and categories of water in order to understand the extent of losses and degree of damaged brought about by water into the household structure.  Below are summarized descriptions on classes of water losses and categories of water:

Category 1 – refers to clean water at source.

Category 2 – starts with contamination and may cause sickness and other human discomforts once ingested.

Category 3 – means highly unsanitary (since the source is from the sewage) and could cause illness or death once consumed by humans.

*Water category 1 or 2 will eventually change to water category 2 or 3 when left unprocessed for a certain period of time.

Class 1 – losses which are limited caught in the nick of time and contain few materials that are porous or absorbent.

Class 2 – losses that involve high quantities or very absorbent materials like carpet and pads.

Class 3 – involves water that comes from overhead, wall frames, ceilings, drywall, insulation and floor materials that are highly absorbent.

Class 4 – is the special drying of materials in the form of concrete, stucco, hardwood, masonry, plaster and saturated ground soil.

There are actually different techniques that are used for structural drying.  One of these methods is the “in-place” drying technique which was used and taught in the early 1980’s.  The “in-place” drying method during the past decades allows the drying of structural components without major taking away of furniture and fixtures.  However, there were some limitations in the employment of equipment for extraction, evaporation and dehumidification.  But in recent years, the “in-place” drying system has made great leaps and advances due in part to the better understanding of psychrometry; making the technique more practical and safer for everyone concerned.

Principals Of Drying

The use of ‘in-place” drying will depend on several factors that must be meticulously appraised should insufficient drying and secondary damages in the form of microbial growth are to be prevented from occurring.  This includes but should not be limited to the following:

1.    Qualification of the contractor or technicians who are hired to do the job.  This would include experiences and academic training.

2.    Availability of equipment that are technologically advanced.

3.    The water damage contractor’s knowledge and implementation of the Four Principles of Drying, the Classes of Losses and Categories of Water.

4.    Proper documentation of drying conditions and all activities therein, which should include illustrations of work progression.

For a successful drying project and reduction of any probable microbial growth, a homeowner must be aware of the four significant principles of drying. which a water damage contractor will determine in the following order:

• What is Wet?
• How Wet is It?
• Are We Drying?
• Is it Dry?

The four principles of this drying approach allows a water damage expert to perform its drying and dehumidification services as thoroughly and efficiently as possible, which greatly reduces the secondary damages of mold.

1. Excess Water Removal

This pertains to draining, pumping, absorbing and vacuuming methods applied to remove the presence of visible water.  It is said that the excess water removal principle is the most abused principle since some contractors are not willing to invest in proper equipment and time to extract surplus moisture sufficiently.  In general, water removal could be done in minutes or seconds as compared to evaporation and dehumidification of the same water quantity that actually takes hours and days to finish.  Proper water removal or extraction could cut down the Category 1, Class 2 drying activities by a number of days.

2. Evaporation

The second structural drying principle is evaporation, which entails changing the physical aspect of water from liquid to vapor.  The fast movement of air from any professional drying tools or equipment heightens the rate of moisture evaporation into the air.  Thus, minimizing the moisture or dampness on the surfaces, which aids in microbial propagation.  This likewise incorporates evaporative cooling of structures and components to further prevent the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.

3. Dehumidification

Upon evaporation of moisture from the structural materials, the specific humidity (SH), relative humidity (RH), and vapor pressure of air increases.  Vapor pressure coerces the evaporation of moisture within cavities, structural materials and contents that results in having considerable secondary damage that increases the cost and scope of water damage.  The dehumidification process speeds up drying by lowering vapor pressure and raising moisture out of materials into the air.

4. Temperature Control

The last but not the least principle of drying is the proper control of temperature within a given environment.  For this influences the efficiency of evaporation, dehumidification and the ability of microorganisms to thrive.

Water Damage Restoration Is A Job For The Professionals

If your home or business is ever the victim of a flood or water damage you need a highly experienced and trained water damage contractor with extensive training and experience drying a wide range of different structural materials and contents. They will determine the scope of the damage and how extensive it is.  They will also be able to walk you through the insurance claim process. Ask your insurance agent for referral. Ask for a company that is an insurance approved for water damage restoration expert. They will also will act as the general contractor and will take care of hiring all the contractors that work on the job.

A water damaged home requires a professional service from a water damage contractor who will be able to provide the needed details and information if the damage is a result of a flood or not, giving the homeowner the leeway to act appropriately as the situation requires.  As a true professional, the water damage contractor must not provide less service value just to save on insurance money. And neither does a professional water damage contractor provide more service for the benefit of the insurance policy holder.  Service must be done according to what is required, which must not jeopardize quality.

Insured Bill of Rights

The Insured Bill of Rights states that you have the right to choose! When deciding which restoration company will suit your needs best, look for a qualified and reputable company, that will stand behind work performed and warranty responsibilities.

Click here to view the Insured Bill of Rights PDF

Insurance Damage Repair Bill of Rights

Continued from Water Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration Part 1 and Part 2

Water damage, Mold Damage and Flood Damage are some of the most common reasons people make claims on their home insurance. Frozen, broken or burst pipes, leaky appliances and flooded basements are just a few of the ways you could discover exactly what is and is not covered by your home insurance policy.

One of the worst effects of water damage comes in the form of mold. If your home has water damage, mold could develop in as short of a time as 24 – 48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it may continue to grow until steps are taken to thoroughly dry out the premises and eliminate the source of moisture.

Mold is certainly not new—it’s been around for hundreds of millions of years—but the sharp rise in mold claims is definitely a 21^st -century phenomenon.  Multi-million dollar jury awards, sensationalized reporting in the media and profiteering by some individuals have led to an explosion in mold claims and costs.

In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mold [PDF, 2.52 MB].

Homeowners Insurance: Is Mold Covered?

Whether mold is covered by homeowners insurance often comes down to the source of moisture and the wording of a policy.

Mold needs 3 things to thrive. All three of the basic elements – moisture, food and oxygen — MUST be present to support mold growth. If that moisture remains for 24-48 hours you will likely begin to have a mold problem.

Problems can arise for homeowners when the presence of persistent moisture goes undetected or unresolved, leading to widespread mold growth. Moisture can result from high indoor humidity, flooding, or a leaky roof or dishwasher.

Mold, like rot and insect infestation, is generally not covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Standard homeowners policies provide coverage for disasters that are sudden and accidental. They are not designed to cover the cost of cleaning and maintaining a home. If, however, mold is the direct result of a covered peril such as a burst pipe, there could be coverage for the cost of eliminating the mold.

Clean Up Water Damage Now To Avoid Mold!

Regardless of how the water damage happened, it is important to take similar steps to remedy it. Never ignore indications of an obvious water problem in your home. You should immediately attempt to find and stop leaks at their source.

• Properly dry or remove soaked carpets, padding and upholstery within 24-48 hours after a flood to prevent mold growth. Anything that can’t be properly dried should be discarded. Just letting items dry out will not remove the mold, and mold will grow again anytime there is enough moisture in the air, such as on humid days.
• Remove standing water as quickly as possible. Standing water is a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can become airborne and inhaled.
• Wash and disinfect all areas that have been flooded. This includes walls, floors, closets, shelves, as well as heating and air-conditioning systems.

If you have any questions regarding mold and homeowners insurance, contact your agent or company representative. They can provide information on how to maintain your home and may also be able to provide the name of an Insurance Approved, Certified (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Expert that does water damage repair and restoration.