Tips On Calculating The Damages Caused By Water

To process your damage claim, your insurance agent will need to understand the extent of the water damage occasioned to the structure of your home and to your personal effects. The fastest and most accurate method to calculate water damage losses is to employ the services of a professional restoration constructor. The tips below can guide you through a preliminary calculation of damages:

Exterior Water Damage
When you are sure the area is safe, tour the outside of your house and grounds to assess exterior damage. Make a mark on the walls to indicate water levels, and take photographs or make a video recording of all exterior damages.

* Roof: Take photographs or video recordings of the any parts of the roof that may have caved in, lost or broken shingles, chimney damage, surface stains, cracks, and ruined or warped gutters. Remember to write down pertinent comments.

* Outside walls and windows: Make a record of walls or parts of walls that have crumbled or fallen over, damaged windows and windowpanes, moisture or humidity on walls and traces of water entering the house through basement windows or window wells.

* Tour the grounds around your property and make a note (or visual record) of all flooded areas and water-damaged plants or shrubbery.

Interior Water Damage
Enter the building cautiously. If the water damage included sewage backup, or if the house has been flooded for over 24 hours, put on protective clothing. Climb up to the attic to start documenting the damage. Make a note (and take pictures) of:

* Attic: Moisture, humidity and fissures on ceilings and walls, drenched insulation, damp or broken ducts and vents.

* Rooms: Moisture, humidity and fissures on ceilings, walls and floors, submerged electric wiring and phone jacks, damaged or deformed wooden structures, damaged windows and doors.

* Bathroom(s): Document cracks or breaks in bathtubs and sinks, stains on countertops, wobbly or leaky floor tiles (especially near toilet tanks).

* Basement: Examine duct work and document all stains and damages, make visual records of cracks and moisture caused by water damage in the foundation, walls and floors.

* If possible, use infrared thermotherapy to detect invisible internal leaks and water damage located behind walls, under flooring or above the ceiling.

Water Damage to Personal Effects and Belongings
Make a detailed room-by-room list of all missing and damaged items. Try to provide your insurance agent with the receipts for those items as well. Make sure to take photographs of damaged items to reinforce your insurance claim. This might be a time to think about which items you will be able to save and which items you will need to replace.

* Put a sign on electrical appliances that you suspect have suffered water damage. Don't try to determine whether they are functioning.

* Make a list of wet carpet, rugs, curtains, upholstery etc.

* Document each piece of water-damaged furniture. Examine organic (wood, wicker and others) furniture for signs of mold growth. Accompany your lists with photographs or video recordings whenever possible.

* Make a list of water-damaged paper items (books, documents, artwork, photograph and others).

* Examine the inside of your cabinets and built-in closets or dressers; list if they are wet or moist.

* List all water-damaged digital media (CDs, PCs, DVDs etc)

When you have completed documenting the information about the extent of water damage occasioned to your home and personal effects, give one copy of the document to your insurance adjustor or agent and a second copy to the restoration professional, who will be restoring your home.

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