With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Just Us Construction & Restoration, Inc. is the trusted name in restoration in Brooklyn Park, MN. Our IICRC-certified technicians follow industry-standard procedures for quality you can count on. We offer 24-hour emergency service and can work directly with your insurance provider to make the process as easy as possible for you.
Insurance coverage is very situationally dependent. Each policy from each different company will have different levels and types of coverage. The best way to know if your damage is covered is to keep a copy of your policy on hand and call your agent directly with any questions you might have.
Seeing your home damaged is extremely stressful as a homeowner, and it's difficult to know the right course of action. Will trying to clean up on your own help or make things worse? No matter what kind of damage you've incurred, the very first thing you should do is take photographs as long as the area is safe for you to be in. If you have water damage, the best thing to do is extract as much standing water as you possibly can while you wait for help. If you have fans, set them to start drying things as much as possible. They won't be enough to dry the area completely, but they can help to minimize the chance of secondary damage. In the event of mold or fire, it's best to leave the damage alone until a professional can address it. Disturbed mold can disperse spores throughout the home, and fire damages can worsen if improper cleaning techniques are used.
The length of time for proper restoration to occur is dependent on the type and size of the damage. A typical water damage project usually takes 5-7 days to dry and remove any unsalvageable materials. Mold remediation can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the extent of the damage. Fires cause the most extensive damage and can take weeks for restoration to be completed. Keep in mind these are all estimates, and they're only for the restoration portion of the job. The rebuilding portion of the job, where everything is put back into place, has its own separate process and timeline.
Most homeowners' policies cover most water damages, but not all water damages are created equal. There can be a lot of exceptions to coverage depending on the intricacies of your policy. This is why it's a good idea to be familiar with your policy and call your agent immediately when damage occurs.
A good portion of water damage can be prevented by proper household maintenance. Routine plumbing maintenance, sump pump, and appliance maintenance are effective ways to avoid preventable damages. Preparing your home for the winter can also help avoid damage if you live in a cold climate. Finally, it's a good idea to regularly check the exterior of your home, particularly your roof, for damage to ensure water isn't unexpectedly leaking into your home.
Water damage insurance claims depend on a few different criteria. Ultimately, that's a question you'll have to clarify with your insurance company. However, we can tell you that the viability of water damage insurance claims depends primarily on what caused the damage (storm, burst pipe, plumbing malfunction, localized flood, sump pump failure, etc.). Some insurance policies will outline scenarios that will NOT be covered without specific riders, like flood insurance or sump pump failure insurance.
Contacting Just Us Construction & Restoration, Inc. and your insurance adjuster at the same time is a good idea because Just Us will help ensure that the water extraction and dry out and the reconstruction process that should follow. If the full scope of the claim isn't outlined and agreed upon from the start, there may be issues down the line, and property owners may have to pay out of pocket to get the property completely back to normal.
That depends on the types of materials that were affected by water. Drywall, carpet, and hardwood floors will take longer to dry than other materials in the space. We use moisture meters throughout the process and in many different locations to gauge the moisture levels. We will continue to adjust our fans and dehumidifiers to achieve an efficient but effective dry time. The bare minimum of "three days to dry" may only produce a surface dry but can still leave behind moisture levels that create an ideal environment for mold to grow.
Most homeowners start trying to remove the water themselves before they realize they'll need to contact their insurance company about a claim so they can call in a water damage restoration company, like Just Us. However, standing water around anything with a power cord or outlet or sagging ceilings makes the area unsafe. Also, many insurance claims require documentation of the loss BEFORE any work is done, including removing the water. Always take plenty of photos of the damage you see before taking any action to start cleaning up the mess. Just Us Construction & Restoration, Inc. will also be able to back up your insurance claim scope with the necessary technical documentation.
If the water damage involves Category 1 water (clean and free of microbes and bacteria), many of your personal belongings can be salvaged. Category 2 water would include other water sources, including rainwater, that, while not containing biohazards or sewage, still pose health risks and the potential for destructive microbial growth and mold. A water damage restoration technician will help you sort through the property's contents to determine what can be safely dried, what can be restored by a textile/contents technician, and what can't be saved or salvaged. There are off-site facilities in the area that specialize in restoring water-damaged contents. Your restoration team will document all of the contents leaving the property for restoration or disposal for your records and also for reimbursement from your insurance company.
Identifying the source of the water damage is one of the first steps in both the insurance claim process and before beginning to dry out and repair the damaged areas. After all, if you replace a sagging, wet ceiling caused by a roof leak but don't fix the roof, the next rainstorm will start the cycle all over again. A leaking pipe could cause buckling to your hardwood floor. We will pinpoint your water damage's exact cause and ensure the source is repaired. We make sure your restoration job is done right the first time.
It's never a quick fix, though we've gathered together a multi-disciplined team of contractors and technicians to work in tandem to complete the work as soon as possible. From structural repairs to sand/soda-blasting to odor removal to contents cleaning, our fire damage restoration crew begins as soon as the project scope is determined, and we don't stop until the job is done and both you and the insurance company are satisfied with the results.
Most often, yes. You'll need to check your specific policy for the full scope of coverage, but generally, if a flame caused the damage, it's covered. Your best bet is to hire a professional restoration company, like Just Us Construction & Restoration, Inc., to help you through the claims process. We know how to avoid some common missteps when it comes to making sure the entire loss is documented and covered. Many homeowners and insurance companies forget, for instance, to consider that your HVAC system will need to be cleaned of soot. Since fires are extinguished using water, many areas of your home may need to be restored due to water damage, even if they weren't directly affected by the fire.
Depending on the extent or location of the fire damage, some homeowners can move back in a few days or longer. The fire department will usually turn off electricity and gas to the property immediately, which won't be restored until a building inspector says it's safe to turn those utilities back on. If you experienced significant smoke damage and the home's occupants include elderly persons, young children, or those with chronic health conditions, you may be wise to stay until the smoke cleanup is complete. Contracting with a company experienced in fire damage restoration can often get you back home sooner because they'll have the resources to hire and manage the many tradespeople who will need to work together to make the home liveable again.
DIY soot removal is not recommended. Commercially available products can actually cause permanent damage to surfaces. Soot itself is primarily oil-based, but that residue also contains toxic, possibly biohazard contaminants.
Smoke damage is rarely limited to one area of the house, and it leaves behind a residue that can hide in crevices and out-of-reach areas, and a simple "airing out" may not be sufficient. We recommend consulting with a smoke damage technician who can help you troubleshoot the next steps.
Winter weather can wreak havoc on homes and properties, causing various types of damage.
Three common types of winter weather damage include:
Timely repair of winter weather damage is crucial to prevent further deterioration and more extensive repair costs.
Three reasons for prompt winter weather damage repair:
Starting the repair process after winter weather damage requires a systematic approach to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Three initial steps in winter weather damage repair:
Selecting the right professional for winter weather damage repair is crucial to ensure quality work and a smooth process.
Three considerations when choosing a winter weather damage repair professional:
After the initial assessment, a series of steps are involved in winter weather damage repair and restoration.
Three key repair and restoration steps for winter weather damage:
In conclusion, winter weather damage repair is essential to address the impact of harsh weather conditions on homes and properties. Understanding common types of damage, the importance of prompt repair, and the necessary steps for assessment and restoration can help homeowners navigate the process effectively. It's also important to choose qualified professionals when needed to ensure the quality and safety of the repair work.