What does it look like when money disappears? It looks an awful lot like flooding your kitchen. No home owner ever wants to spend their hard earned money on repairs and restoration after a kitchen flood. And the damage to your personal belongings can be devastating. Learn how to minimize damage, start cleanup, work with your insurance company, and more if you ever experience a kitchen flood.
Stop the flow
Your first step in a kitchen flood should always be to stop the flow of water as quickly as possible. This is an obvious step when you’re calm and collected, but when you’re standing in a growing puddle in the kitchen, it can be hard to think straight.
Now is a good time to learn where you are main water valve is located, because if your kitchen is flooded due to a burst pipe, you will need to shut off the water. If the leak is near your sink, you can check for a knob near the pipes.
Keep safety in the forefront. You may want to turn off the electricity in the room, especially if you smell gas or see sparks. And if you’re in this situation, leave your home immediately after the power goes off — and call 911.
Call a disaster relief company
You might think that your next call should be to your insurance company. While the insurance company should be high on your priority list, this is actually the time to call a disaster relief company.
Why?
A disaster relief company can get to your home quickly, and can make proper scientific assessments of your damage. The company can stop damage in its tracks better than you, and they can properly document the damage to share with your insurance company. Not only that, a good disaster relief company will advocate for you and help you negotiate your claim with your insurance company.
Many people think that you should only use the company provided by your insurance, but this company will have the best interests of the insurance company in mind. Now is the time to find a disaster relief company you can trust.
Couldn’t you just clean yourself up?
If you have dealt with a kitchen flood, you will also be dealing with the threat, or the very real presence, of mold and unseen water damage. Water is excellent at getting into unseen cracks and crevices, and mold is even better at growing in damp places you can’t see. Grabbing some towels and fans is not a good cleaning plan.
Instead, you want a WTR certified disaster relief company that has the proper scientific equipment and will follow the proper procedures to clean up your damage. They will also inspect for any chance of future damage.
Call your insurance provider
Soon after you’ve arranged for a disaster relief company to move your way, you should call your insurance provider. Don’t wait, or you risk damaging the outcome of your claim. Ask what will be covered, tell them about the disaster relief company, and ask about any extra costs. Most homeowner’s insurance plans will cover flooding that originates inside the home (a burst pipe, for example). Make sure you understand your coverage.
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to review your damage, and claims negotiations will begin at that point. Because it can take 48 hours to two weeks for someone to adjust your situation, it is important to stay in communication with the insurance company about what the restoration company can do in the cleanup process.
Restoration
Once you know how much money you will be receiving from the insurance company, you can begin restoration processes. Your restoration company will likely be able to help you through this.
With the right people on your side, a kitchen flood doesn’t have to destroy you. Find a good restoration company, understand your insurance policy, and educate yourself on how to properly care for your home so you can navigate your flood waters with confidence.
Deborah Lamberton is the general manager for Restoration of New Life24/7 disaster cleanup company offering fire and smoke damage, water and storm damage, mold remediation and more.
