Insurance Claim Tips for Partial Loss Fires

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Insurance Claim Tips for Partial Loss Fires

Q: What does a “thorough inspection” include?

A: A thorough inspection will cover the following areas:

• Roof: Your roof should be inspected for damage from burning embers. If heat was extreme, the roof structure may be compromised. Wood under the roofing material may be water stained and moldy. A roofing expert can verify damage.
• Structural Steel, Iron: Steel and iron structures may transfer heat and destabilize a foundation or retaining wall.
• Stucco, Siding and Concrete: Stucco may spall and crack due to dehydration and baking. Siding may melt after exposure to heat and mold may be present underneath. Heat may also damage an anchored foundation or footing and may require testing as well as concrete core sampling. Structural engineers may do x-ray testing and other miscellaneous forensic work.
• Windows: Window frames may melt, blister or discolor due to heat. Glass can experience warping and discoloration and may lose some of its transparent clarity. Warped windows can lead to moisture problems and/or a mold problem.
• Plumbing and Heating Systems: Pipes, solder/connectors and ducts should be checked for damage.
• Interior Walls/Framing: A contractor conducting a thorough inspection of your home’s interior may need to open up walls to check for damage to the framing, or to uncover potentially dangerous mold. It’s better to uncover damage sooner rather than later. Be politely assertive in claim negotiations to make sure your home is restored to a “uniform and consistent” appearance as opposed to a “patchwork quilt” of unmatched new and old materials. Read more information below about “matching.”

https://www.uphelp.org/pubs/insurance-claim-tips-partial-loss-fires

SERVPRO of Grand Prairie  is here for all of your restoration needs.