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water damage 101

ryan environmental services

Upon returning to your house - document everything. Take exterior pictures (time stamped if possible) of the street sign, front of the house showing address numbers, all 4 sides of house, and high water mark of all exterior doors. Take interior pictures of every room. Take close-up pictures of flooring and carpet, drapes, bedding etc. Remember you may only be compensated for the items documented. 

IF YOU HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE

  • Make contact with your insurance carrier and notify of loss. Ask timeframe for adjuster.

  • Try to run the air conditioning and fans to circulate air and aid in drying. Set the air lower than normal (64-65 degrees) and leave on at all times. It will help to decrease drying time and mold formation.

  • You can start sheetrock and flooring removal but always retain a sample of flooring for your Insurance Adjuster.

  • Remove all damaged sheetrock and flooring.

  • Remove sheetrock at increments of 2 ft. For example, if your wall was wet to 18”, remove 2’, if it is wet to 39”, remove 4’.

  • Remove all insulation to allow further drying.

  • For minor flooding (less than 2”), remove base molding only, place dehumidifiers and air movers.

  • You can submit an inquiry via our online service request form to check on availability of dehumidifiers and air movers.

  • Inventory all damaged contents. Only water impacted contents are covered. NOT everything.

  • If you are in need of further assistance, you can contact us via our online service request form to find out if we are scheduling removal, cleanup or fungal spraying and treatment in your area.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE

  • Obtain a Denial Letter from your homeowner’s insurance. You can apply for disaster assistance at the numbers provided on the media.

  • Try to run the air conditioning and fans to circulate air and aid in drying. Set the air lower than normal (64-65 degrees) and leave on at all times. It will help to decrease drying time and mold formation.

  • Remove all damaged sheetrock and flooring.

  • Remove sheetrock at increments of 2 ft. For example, if your wall was wet to 18”, remove 2’, if it is wet to 39”, remove 4’.

  • Remove all insulation to allow further drying.

  • For minor flooding (less than 2”), remove base molding only, place dehumidifiers and air movers.

  • You can submit an inquiry via our online service request form to check on availability of dehumidifiers and air movers.

  • If you are in need of further assistance, you can contact us via our online service request form to find out if we are scheduling removal, cleanup or fungal spraying and treatment in your area.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ELECTRICITY

  • If you do not have electricity and air conditioning you can open windows and doors, only do so when conditions exist where humidity is lower and will assist drying.

  • DO NOT allow rain or high humidity to make the situation worse.

  • If you do not have electricity, mold and fungal growth may occur but we can assist in removal should you need us.

helpful tips for working with contractors

  • Always use a licensed and insured contractor. Check with your state's Board of Contractors.

  • Request a current certificate of insurance. 

  • Never pay in advance for services, only pay when you are satisfied and the work is complete.

  • Offer your insurance estimate for review. If a contractor tells you they cannot do the work for that amount of money, get another contractor. 

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