Issue link: https://www.newlifestylesdigital.com/i/796044
Learn More About Water Losses and Insurance Claims (Continued) 11 ... Continued from page 10 the home, the dirt will be dried as a byproduct. e elevated moisture content will not be resolved until the dirt is dry. So, in the end, the dirt gets dried, but the focus of drying will be on the un- derside of the structure. e same thing applies to mold. Most policies will exclude mold and other noxious substances, but if mold is on a water damaged section of dry- wall for instance, it must be dealt with properly in the course of removing the drywall. Even though the policy excludes mold, the cost of removal should be covered since repairs cannot be made without addressing it. ere are a few companies that have optional endorsements you can add to your policy that will provide limited coverage for mold. at is helpful for losses where mold seems to be the only damage and would be excluded as a cause of loss under the basic policy. e first thing that should happen when a loss is discovered is to call a water mitigation company so they can prevent further damage and start getting things dried out. is will include mov- ing furnishings out of harm's way, identifying the source of the water, extracting water where pres- ent, and setting up fans and drying equipment. Wet carpet pad will usually be removed since it is basically a sponge and is difficult to dry. Carpet will be pulled back and fans will be directed to circulate air under the carpet so that it can start to dry. Drywall may need to be removed at the base of the walls if there is significant moisture present or if there is a possibility that the insulation inside the wall may be wet. e mitigation company should be able to provide an approximate cost for the mitigation which will help to determine if the deductible will be exceeded. Repairs will be an additional amount to be considered and may be minimal if no materials need to be torn out. e cost can be very large when cabinets, flooring, or large amounts of drywall are affected and need to be replaced. If you find yourself with a water emergency, call 1-800 Water Damage and we'll respond quickly, help identify the source of the water, and we can assist with finding a plumber for repair. We'll then work to minimize the damage to your home and property, assist with determining if your deductible will be exceeded, and will review the circumstances of the loss to let you know of potential coverage is- sues you may face should you decide to file a claim. Should you decide to file an insurance claim, we'll work with your adjuster to make sure the claim pro- cess goes smoothly. 1-800 Water Damage is a locally owned and oper- ated family company serving Southern Colorado and the Front Range since 2010. We also handle carpet cleaning using Steam Extraction Technology. We are IICRC certified and have an A+ rating with the BBB. You can also find us on Angie's List and Facebook. Call 24 hours EMG 719-684-9200. ~ By Gary Rollins, Business Relationship Manager, 1-800 Water Damage, Colorado Springs, CO (719)660-7062