When your home is damaged due to natural disasters, accidents, or other unforeseen circumstances, it can be a challenging and overwhelming experience. Protecting your family’s safety and preserving your property are top priorities. However, there are specific important steps that you must take when your home is damaged due to a natural disaster like a flood. This blog discusses those critical steps to guide you when you face such damage.
Prioritize Safety
When your home is damaged, it is essential to prioritize safety above all else. This means ensuring that everyone is out of harm’s way and safe. If the damage is immense, it may be necessary to evacuate your home until it is deemed safe to return. If you are entering your home after a calamity, ensure you have turned off electricity and gas supplies to avoid accidents. You must wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves, boots, and masks, to avoid exposure to hazardous materials or substances.
Assess the Damage
The next step is to record the damage your home has gone through. You should walk through your home and inspect all the damaged areas. You may take photos and make videos of the damaged areas for documentation simultaneously to file later when you hire a restoration company or file an insurance claim. Minor damages can be handled easily by the individual himself. However, extensive damages will mean you must inform your mortgage service provider and contact your insurance company and a professional restoration organization.
Contact Your Mortgage Service Provider
It is essential to contact your mortgage service provider as soon as you can after a disaster occurs. Your mortgage service provider may have specific requirements for repairing the damage, and failing to follow these requirements could jeopardize your mortgage agreement. Your mortgage service provider may require that you provide them with proof of the damage and documentation of the repair work, so it’s essential to keep detailed records throughout the restoration process. They may also have specific contractors or restoration companies they prefer you to work with, so be sure to ask for their recommendations.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Your insurance policy may cover some or all of the expenses associated with repairing the damage, so it is better to contact them. The insurance company will send an adjuster to evaluate the damage and allot the compensation amount that you are eligible to receive. It is better to save the records, including phone calls and emails, with your insurance company. You must provide them with the required documentation, such as pictures or videos of the damaged areas.
Secure Your Property
After your home has been damaged, securing your property is crucial to prevent further damage or loss. The first step to securing your property is to board up any damaged windows or doors with plywood or other materials to prevent any additional damage. If your roof is damaged, cover it with a tarp or other waterproof material to prevent water from entering your home.
It may also be necessary to turn off your gas, water, and electricity to prevent further damage or injury. Removing any debris or hazards on your property, such as fallen trees or power lines, is also important and should be done by a professional removal service or local authorities. Remove valuable items from your home and store them in a safe place until repairs are completed.
Hire a Professional Restoration Company
If the damage is extensive, hiring a professional restoration company is best. Restoration companies have the expertise to work on any damage, so they will evaluate the destruction and give a comprehensive plan for repairing and restoring your home. When hiring a restoration company, make sure they are licensed and insured. If you’ve experienced a flood, seek assistance by searching for flood damage restoration in Denver or your area to help you overcome the challenges. It is better to check online reviews and get references to ensure you are hiring a reputable company. Be sure to get a written estimate for all the work to be done and understand what their services cover.
Conclusion
Dealing with home damage can be stressful and overwhelming, but taking these important steps can help you get back on track and restore your home to its pre-damaged condition. Remember to put safety above everything else, assess the damage, contact your mortgage service provider and insurance company, secure your property, and hire a professional restoration company to make apt fixes. All the guidelines above will help you ensure your home is repaired and restored as quickly and efficiently as possible.