When Pipes Burst
Has it happened to you? That sudden rush of water from an unknown source, only to uncover that your pipes have failed you. Burst pipes are extremely common and they account for almost two thirds of the causes of plumbing supply failures in the US. Up North, pipes freeze all the time and put a halt to water flow. With burst pipes, the materials of the pipes, wherever there are pressurized plumbing lines, fail us. These problems can occur in kitchens, bathrooms, interiors of walls, ceilings, and below floor slabs.
If your pipes burst, get this check list ready:
– Take necessary steps to protect the property from further damage
– Shut off the water supply
– Make sure your home is safe to enter
– Document the damage
– Find your property insurance policy. If it’s a hard copy, make sure it’s not wet from the damage. If so, be glad you saved that digital copy
– Contact an adjuster
– Get to work on your game plan
When pipes burst, property owners could be out and about and return to their property to face a monsoon after the damage has already caused issues with drywall, flooring, insulation, cabinets, and other interior finishes. Just when you thought it was over, then comes the identification and investigation process that will require you to analyze complex issues such as water extraction, dehumidification, structural drying and restoration & repairs. Then comes the emotional element as water does real damage to personal items and can derail your lifestyle.
For all of these reasons, you should enlist a licensed public adjuster to help you navigate the process, but most importantly, help you get the money you deserve and get the best out of your insurance claim.
The documentation phase is crucial in the overall process because this is where the evidence is discovered. The idea is to prepare a presentation to your insurance company with photos and videos that will solidify your claim. This should be carried out early with your adjuster to ensure that none of the damage has been fixed before you could capture it on camera. While most people can’t identify problems when they are right in front of them, adjusters have the training to scope out these issues that may be hidden to the untrained eye.
Here are a few questions you should have ready with your adjuster when you formulate the game plan:
– What is the extent of the damage?
– What is the proposed cost of repairs?
– What are the benefits, duties and conditions laid out in the insurance policy?
– Should I make arrangements for temporary living in a hotel while the damage is being addressed?
– How long can this claim settlement take?
The moment an adjuster becomes part of your team, you are no longer alone in this process. This is your aid within the troubling waters of a burst pipe.