Tips On What To Do After a Water Claim

This winter, we have had a couple of severe cold spells and that can spell trouble for homeowners.  During these cold spells, we have had several of our clients have issues with water pipes that freeze and then burst, causing water damage in their houses. 

Is this covered?  Most homeowners policies will cover the damage caused by a broken water pipe provided that the conditions of the policy were met, which vary from company to company.

The following are some tips put together by our claims advocate at Huff Insurance, Lauren Voss.

Tips on What to Do After Water Claim

Stop The Water - If water is coming from inside your home, from a burst pipe or water heater malfunction shut off the main water valve immediately. It’s a good idea to make sure everyone in your home knows where the shutoff valve is located.

Turn Off the Utilities - In a serious water event, turning off the power or natural gas might be necessary to ensure the safety of yourself and your family. In the case of a minor water leak or drip, there probably isn’t a need to shut off the utilities.

Prevent Electrocution - Do not use any electrical appliances if your carpet or flooring is wet. Use a wet vacuum to remove water, but check the manufacturer's instructions before starting.

Use Fans to Circulate Air – Start the drying process by strategically placing fans to effectively circulate air. This is especially important in the first 24-48 hours after an indoor flood.

Get Water Out Quickly - Fast and safe action on your part can prevent further damage, help you save more of your belongings and minimize the time and expense of repairs. Clean up as much water as possible by mopping or blotting with towels.

Get Property to a Dry Location - Move wet belongings and furniture to a dry area. Put furniture on blocks or slide a square of aluminum foil under furniture legs to prevent the wood stain from bleeding into carpeting.

Remove Area Rugs from the Floor - The dyes in carpets can stain flooring, carpeting and wood floors.

Do Not Lift Tacked Down Carpet - Carpets can shrink after they’ve become wet and left to dry out. If you remove the tacks from wet wall-to-wall carpet, it will probably shrink after it dries out and no longer be wall-to-wall carpet. Consult a carpet specialist for help.

Wash Your Clothes - Clean your clothing, linens and other washables that have been soaked as soon as possible.

Wipe Excess Water from Furniture - Open drawers and cabinet doors for faster drying. Spread out books to speed drying and prevent further damage.

Watch Out for Debris and Pests - If water is flowing in your house there may be dislodged materials such as nails. Snakes and other vermin may seek shelter in your home after a storm or flood, so watch out.

File a Claim as Soon as Possible - The sooner you file a claim to report damage, the sooner we can help you get your home and life back to normal.

Don’t Throw Anything Out - Don’t throw out damaged belongings, especially expensive ones. A claims adjuster may need to inspect them. Also, make a thorough list of stuff that was water damaged as soon as you can. This will help us process your claim faster. It helps to document damage with photos and video.

Save Receipts - Save all receipts for any rental equipment, temporary repairs or payments to professional services.