Don’t Let Water Damage Sink Your Finances - You and Your Insurance Coverage

4/27/2023 (Permalink)

Knowing what your insurance policy covers is crucial

As a trusted water restoration company, we here at SERVPRO of Park la Brea often get asked the question: “Will my insurance policy cover water damage?” The answer is- it depends!  

It’s crucial to understand which scenarios might be covered and which ones may not be (every policy is different, so always do your research).  Before you find yourself knee-deep in murky waters, let us give you some clarity on how your policies can help you!

• Burst pipes: Although a homeowner's nightmare, burst pipes are usually covered by home insurance plans. Make sure to take proper precautions to prevent problems and regularly inspect your pipes.
• Dishwasher leaks: This one can be hit or miss. A dishwasher leak could be covered, but that all depends on the maintenance that you’ve performed on it up to that point. Let’s keep those dishwashers in tip-top shape.
• Rain vs. flood damage: While the distinction can be confusing, rain damage from storms is generally covered under dwelling and personal property coverage. However, flood damage is typically excluded, necessitating a separate flood insurance policy.
• Overflowing appliances: Accidentally overflowing water from appliances is covered, but if neglect leads to the problem, this will most likely not be covered.
• Leaky pipes: A sudden and accidental pipe leak is covered, but long-term damage due to slow-leaking pipes because of lack of maintenance will almost certainly be denied.
• Water or sewer backup: This one is often not covered in a standard home insurance policy, but it is possible to add it as an optional endorsement to stay extra protected!

When it comes to filing a claim for water damage, you should document everything! Take a detailed inventory of the damages, take pictures and videos of areas that have been impacted by water damage, and get in touch with your insurance carrier. Proper documentation and preventive measures are key to not only avoiding further water damage but also ensuring a smooth claims process.

Stay informed, stay dry, and call us if you need a helping hand!

The Homeowners' Insurance Guide to Peace of Mind: 4 Tips from SERVPRO of Park la Brea

4/14/2023 (Permalink)

Want to make sure you're protected against water damage costs? Check out these helpful tips for homeowners' insurance in 2023.

As a homeowner, protecting your property and possessions is essential. Homeowners’ insurance is a vital investment that can protect you against water damage, electrical fires, and more. Although purchasing homeowners’ insurance can be daunting, but we're here to help with 4 tips to help you make an informed decision when purchasing your policy:

• Get Quotes Online: A quick search can help you get quotes from different companies and ensure that you compare with all of the details that you need. Remember, some policies may offer substantially more coverage than others.
  
  
• Know What Your Policy Covers: It's crucial to understand what your policy does and doesn't cover. Most homeowners' insurance policies protect against common exposures like water damage, electrical fires, and roof leaks. Still, it's vital to check whether you need special coverage for specific items. Plus, maintenance issues like mold and pest infestations often aren't covered.
  
  
• Check the Insurance Company's Rating: Before purchasing insurance, check the insurance company's rating. A good rating means the company can meet its claim obligations!
  
  
• Look for Discounts: It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to offer discounts for things like installing a security system or water mitigation systems. Check with your insurance provider to see if you qualify for any discounts.

At SERVPRO, we are all about keeping you and your property protected. Homeowners’ insurance is a perfect way to help keep you protected when water damage strikes. By following these tips, you can make an informed decision and feel a little more stress-free. Remember, our SERVPRO of Park la Brea team is always here to help!

What To Do Before Your Water Restoration Team Arrives - Tips from SERVPRO of Park la Brea

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

These helpful tips will get you prepared for a visit from your water restoration team.

Water damage is a common issue that can quickly cause severe damage and expenses. However, you can prevent major losses by taking the right steps. If you suspect water damage, contact SERVPRO of Park la Brea first, and then follow these steps:

• Stop the water damage at the source
  
  
• Protect your belongings: Remove loose items from floors and wipe excess water from wood furniture to prevent any damage. Take out wet upholstery, cushions, and colored rugs that may stain floor coverings.
  
  
• Keep furniture and draperies dry: Pin up draperies and furniture skirts to keep them as dry as possible and prevent staining. Place plastic blocks or aluminum foil between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  
  
• Move decor to a dry place: Move art and other decor items to a dry area to prevent damage.

Remember, safety should always come first. If any of these tasks put you at risk, do not attempt them. Let the professionals handle it.

Our team of expert water restoration professionals, along with our Insurance Claims Professional team, are highly trained in water restoration services that will help prevent disastrous water damage costs. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you!

Secret Hideout: 5 Sneaky Places Mold Can Be Lurking - Tips from SERVPRO of Park La Brea

4/4/2023 (Permalink)

Do you have an issue with mold growth in your home or business? Contact SERVPRO today for assistance with mold removal.

Mold growth is not only unsightly, but it can also cause significant damage to your property and harm your health. We understand the frustration that comes with dealing with mold, especially when it's hiding in hard-to-reach places. We’ve gathered these helpful tips on where mold can be found and how to prevent it:

• Basements or Crawl Spaces: Mold thrives in damp areas, and basements and crawl spaces are often the perfect breeding grounds. Make sure to inspect these areas regularly.
• Bathroom and Kitchen Walls: Bathrooms and kitchens are high-moisture areas that are prone to mold growth. Mold can easily grow behind tiles, under sinks, and even in the grout between tiles. Keep these areas dry and well-ventilated.
• Underneath Carpeting: Carpeting in moisture-prone areas, such as basements or bathrooms, can be susceptible. If you notice a musty smell or visible signs of mold, such as discoloration or spots, it's essential to take action quickly to prevent further damage.
• Ventilation Ducts: Mold can easily spread through ventilation ducts, which can be a challenge to access and clean. Make sure to have your ducts inspected and cleaned regularly.
• Any Moisture-Prone Area: Mold loves moisture, so any area that is prone to water damage or high humidity levels is at risk. It's essential to address any water leaks or flooding immediately and to keep these areas dry and well-ventilated.

Contact the mold remediation professionals at SERVPRO of Park la Brea today to learn more about mold removal and mitigation services. Together, we can rid your business or home of toxic mold.

Do This Before the Water Restoration LA Team Arrives

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration costs can quickly get out of hand. Let's make your insurance pay!

Water has entered your home. Your kitchen, living room, and basement are all flooded. While most of the damage has already been done, there are many steps you can take to prevent your water damage from turning into a disastrous large loss. 

Of course, the first step to take is contacting SERVPRO of Park la Brea, as they can guide you on tips and tricks to ensure insurance coverage for your water damage loss. However, until help arrives, consider these tips. 

Before The Water Restoration Team from SERVPRO Arrives:

• If at all possible, stop the water damage at its source. There are a few key places to check in your home for potential water damage. 
• Remove loose items from floors.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture to avoid any damage.
• Remove colored rugs and other items that may stain floor coverings.
• Take out wet upholstery and cushions.
• Pin up any draperies or furniture skirts to keep them as dry as possible and to prevent staining.
• Position plastic blocks or aluminum foil between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on and open windows for maximum drying in summer.
• Move art and other decors to a dry place.

Most importantly, make sure that you and your family are safe and out of harm's way. If any of these tasks put you or your family at risk of being harmed, don't do it! While these steps may help alleviate some of the damage, it is always better to let the professionals handle it. The SERVPRO of Park la Brea expert water restoration team and Insurance Claims Professional team in Los Angeles is always here to help.

Intrusion Leads to Water Damage Restoration in Los Angeles

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

Common entry points for water damage within a home. When is the last time you've had a water restoration team inspect your home?

Water damage from storms can cause extensive and expensive damage if not noticed and fixed quickly. Water ingress into your home can result in damaged items, damp walls, and unpleasant condensation and humidity.

Well, I have insurance for that, right? When considering an insurance claim, if any signs of negligence or pre-existing conditions are discovered, you are almost certainly going to have your claim denied. Notice a drip? See signs of staining? Unusual odors? Hear a strange sound? Well, these are some of the top signs of existing water damage you may have in your home. Moreover, there are many entry points within a home that should be checked regularly to ensure protection against unwanted water flooding and to better guarantee insurance coverage. 

In the event that you do suffer a water damage, these steps can help Secure and Maximize your Water Damage Insurance Claim. 

Here are three common ways water can sneak into your home:

1. Roof Leaks - A roof leak during a storm can allow gallons of rainwater to seep into your home and cause extensive damage. If not fixed quickly, it can affect multiple levels of your home and result in thousands of dollars spent in repairs.
2. Foundation Crack - A foundation crack can allow water to seep into your home and cause serious damage, especially if the crack is large. If you notice water coming up through your floor after a rainstorm, it's likely that you have a foundation crack.
3. Windows and Doors - Windows and doors are common entry points for water damage during a storm. If these areas are not properly sealed, water can easily enter your home and cause extensive damage to floors, walls, and items within your home. 

While there is no way to fully prepare for the unknown associated with flooding or water damage, ensuring that these areas of your home are secure may help prevent an unwelcomed guest. Our highly trained water damage restoration team in Los Angeles is prepared to respond to any size loss, 24/7, 365.

5 Ways Storms Can Damage Your Home

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Help protect your home from water damage during a storm with these helpful tips from your local water damage experts.

If you live in an area that is prone to heavy rainstorms, hurricanes, or flooding, you may already be familiar with the risk to your home of flooding and damage. If you are unsure of how to remedy these issues, we've got a list of top tips for you. 

1. Wind Damage

Flying debris can be a major hazard, capable of injuring or killing anyone caught outside. It can also smash windows or crack roof tiles, therefore potentially allowing water leakage into your home. When warned of an incoming storm, make sure that all outdoor items are secured to prevent them from becoming missiles. 

2. Water Damage

Heavy rain will find its way through any cracks and result in damage to your home. If you find the water coming into your basement from the ground, it is likely you have a crack in your foundation. Faulty guttering and downpipes can lead to damp interior walls and leakage, windowsills may also be a source of leaks if not properly sealed.

3. Roof Damage

As we touched on above, your roof can be damaged in a storm, either by the force of wind pulling away tiles or from tiles becoming cracked after being hit by debris. In particularly windy conditions, heavy rain can also be blown in through roof vents. However the water may enter your property, it can cause a large amount of damage and effect multiple levels of your home as the water seeps downwards. 

4. Displaced Pests

Anyone and anything experiencing a flood will seek safer ground. As such, heavy rainfall can drive pests like snakes, rodents, spiders, and bugs, to leave their flooded homes and enter yours. Sealing and checking ground-level access routes for small animals by sealing holes and placing fine grills over vents will minimize the impact of pests.

5. Tree damage

Heavy rains can cause trees to fall and strike your home, resulting in structural damage or personal injury. We recommend working with your neighbors to ensure any at-risk trees are removed, or reduced, to ensure they are safe when a storm hits your area. 

Contact SERVPRO today to learn how our team can help you recover from unexpected storm damage quickly!

Water Damage Los Angeles - Secure Insurance Coverage

3/25/2022 (Permalink)

If you need water damage restoration services in LA, we can help you secure coverage!

Under most circumstances, your primary home owners insurance policy covers most water damage losses within your home. While there are many exclusions that may apply, there are key items that are vital to address prior to and during an unexpected water damage. 

Find out how our Insurance Professional Team has secured insurance coverage for 90% of our clients in 2021.

While this blog provides some tips to help secure your insurance coverage, our insurance professional team greatly understands the insurance claims process and can be contacted 24/7 for full claims analysis.

Prior to experiencing an emergency water damage: 

1. Ensure your insurance coverage is active, that your coverages are appropriate, and consider your deductible amounts. Learn how changing your deductible can completely change your water damage insurance claim experience (blog coming soon). 
2. Document as much as your home as possible. Saved photos of all rooms, furniture, valuables, etc. may help in the event that these items are destroyed. 
3. Perform regular maintenance around your home. Insurance claims are likely to be denied if evidence of negligence is discovered.  

In the event that you do suffer a water damage in your home, consider these tips which may significantly affect your claim:

1. What was the source of the damage and has it been corrected? Generally speaking, the insurance carrier will rely on documents provided by emergency repair technicians (plumbers) to determine coverage. Correcting this is imperative and maintaining a record of this report is of even greater importance. 
2. After correcting the source and obtaining an initial loss report, contact SERVPRO of Park la Brea who can help determine, utilizing the outcome of the report, if coverage will be afforded based on your policy. 

With the right policy in place, proper maintenance of your home, and by utilizing our Insurance Professional Team, your insurance claims process will be streamlined and maximized for value. 

Signs You May Need Water Damage Restoration Services

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

14,000 Americans require Water Damage Restoration services a day. While we cannot help all, we will always be there for Los Angeles.

In the United States, approximately 14,000 people experience a water damage restoration emergency at home or work each day.

Unfortunately, they cannot always be predicted or prevented, but instead, we can better prepare ourselves to learn how to respond in the event that water damage does strike. First and foremost, ensure your home has valid homeowners insurance coverages and know how it works. These claims are often denied for a variety of reasons leading to thousands of dollars out of your pocket.

Insurance claims can be tricky, but SERVPRO can help you secure insurance coverage for your water damage claim. 

After ensuring your home is protected on paper, here are some signs that may be an indication of water damage in your home:

1. Staining on walls, ceiling, or other structural items. 
• These signs may seem insignificant, but can be concealing large amounts of mold or water damage. Have you seen these common stains which almost always are associated to damage?
2. Dripping unusual sounds of running water.
• That little dripping noise should not be ignored, listen to your home! 
3. Bubbling, flaking, or peeling paint. 
• This is common in bathrooms, kitchens, etc. and can reveal elevated moisture in the drywall materials. 
4. Significant increases in your water bill. 
• Increases in your water bill may help you determine if that drip, stain, or bubbled paint truly is associated with an internal water damage. 

In the event that you do suffer from water damage, there are many simple tasks you can do to greatly minimize damage. With these proactive water mitigation efforts, you can avoid costly problems in the future. The SERVPRO of Park la Brea team is here 24/7 to help you with any water damage restoration emergency that may arise in your Los Angeles, CA home.  

Water In Your Basement After a Rain Storm? Take These Steps Now

3/13/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage experts able to work in any size space. Yes, even in those dark and creepy flooded basements.

If you find water leaking into your basement after heavy rain, you may not have a problem with your foundation or drainage.

There are many possible causes of water leakage in a basement, and the source of the water should be identified before any repairs are attempted. Some sources of water leakage may include cracks in the foundation, improper drainage around the house, faulty gutter and downspout systems, ice dams on roofs, malfunctioning sump pumps, poor flashing around doors and windows, or even improperly sealed chimneys.

A proper diagnosis is needed to determine where the source of water entry is before repairing or installing any waterproofing system. 

Basic Checks to Identify Water Leakage in Your Basement:

Take these steps right now to keep your basement water from becoming a real problem.

STEP 1: Look for the source of the water in your basement.

STEP 2: Move wet or damaged items away from the area of basement leakage.

STEP 3: Check for any water damage to your flooring or walls.

STEP 4: Examine window sills for gaps around the inside frame. 

STEP 5: Inspect the gutter and downspout system.

Just like with rain, snow falling on your roof melts into a liquid that then runs off the roof and down the sides of the house. If the ground is frozen, this melted snow will refreeze along the foundation wall and can then cause water damage to your home. You can prevent this type of water damage by ensuring that your downspouts are clear of debris and draining away from your home.

At SERVPRO, we know that water damage can be a headache. Contact our team of expert technicians for help in repairing storm damage and preventing future issues!