Water damage is not something to take lightly and at First Response Water Damage we take repairing it very seriously. If your home or property is suffering from water damage, our Renton, WA residential water damage services can take on the difficult task of water damage remediation for you.
Don’t Jump To Conclusions About The Source
Every day, we get calls from clients—and one of the questions we always ask on the first call is, “Do you know where the water is coming from?”
Many times, the source is obvious, such as a broken pipe or an overflowing toilet. Other times, the source may be more discreet, like a broken pipe inside a wall or a failed toilet wax ring. Knowing the water source before contacting your insurance carrier is critical. Not everything is covered under a homeowners’ insurance policy.
One example that comes to mind: A customer filed a claim believing the water source was a failed hot water tank in their finished basement. But when we arrived and performed our inspection, we found wet drywall 4’ above the flooring. After removing the wet drywall, we discovered water seeping through the concrete foundation wall—running down to the floor and pooling around the water tank.
Why is this important?
Water from a failed tank is a covered loss. Water entering from outside is considered a flood, and not covered by homeowners’ insurance. Because this customer filed the claim assuming it was the tank, coverage was denied—but the “check mark” still went on their policy. This could impact their rates if they file another claim in the future.
Having us evaluate the source before filing can help you make more informed decisions.
Don’t Ignore Water Damage Symptoms
We often get calls to evaluate water damage, only to discover a much larger problem than the homeowner expected. By then, the sink cabinet, subflooring, and wall framing are severely damaged—worse than if they had called when the leak was first noticed.
Common excuses include:
- “It’s not that bad.”
- “It’ll dry by itself.”
- “I’ll deal with it later.”
But this thinking causes two major issues:
Greater Damage
- Materials left wet will deteriorate.
- What could’ve been a simple dry-out now requires full demolition and disposal—meaning more time and cost.
Insurance Complications
Homeowners’ insurance policies have two key clauses:
- Homeowners must take immediate action to prevent further damage.
- Long-term leakage and seepage are not covered.
If you fix the leak but don’t address the wet materials, the insurance carrier may deny the claim based on lack of immediate action. And even if no payout is made, the “check mark” still goes on your record.
If the leak is ignored entirely, coverage may be denied under the “long-term leakage” clause.
Don’t Assume It Will Dry On Its Own
This ties into the previous point but deserves special attention.
Older homes with little insulation sometimes dried out naturally. But modern homes are sealed and insulated to current standards, which traps moisture inside materials like wood—leading to mold and rot. Today’s buildings have multiple layers that retain moisture, preventing natural evaporation.
If you assume it will dry on its own and it doesn’t, the resulting damage may not be covered by insurance—since you didn’t take immediate action to prevent further harm.
Don’t File A Claim Without Knowing The Source
We usually recommend waiting until after your inspection to file a claim. Here’s why:
The Damage May Not Warrant A Claim
- If repairs cost $7,000 and your deductible is $5,000, you’re only receiving a $2,000 payout.
- That $2,000 may not be worth the “check mark” on your policy.
2. It Might Not Be Covered
Your claim may be denied if:
- The water source is from outside (with few exceptions).
- The damage is from long-term leakage.
- The issue is a sewer backup caused by roots, and your policy excludes root intrusion.
In all of these cases, a denied claim still results in a “check mark” on your record. That’s why having us inspect the damage first can help you make better choices.
Don’t Request Dry-Out Quotes Up Front
This may seem counterintuitive, but in the water damage industry, pricing follows a standard system—Xactimate—used by all insurance companies and mitigation professionals. This software ensures:
- Consistent, regulated pricing.
- No price gouging.
- Faster authorization to begin drying work.
Key points to understand:
- The number of air movers or dehumidifiers is dictated by the S500 Standard (an industry code for water mitigation).
- Pricing for removing drywall or flooring is based on actual square footage.
- After dry-out is complete, documentation (photos, logs, estimates) is submitted to the adjuster.
- Repair estimates must be submitted separately by a general contractor—after materials are removed.
- If you approve a contractor’s quote before adjuster approval, your carrier may refuse to honor the cost—leaving you to cover the difference.
First Response Water Damage is here for all of your water and smoke damage needs, as well as for things such as sewage backup cleanup and odor removal. Every minute matters after water damage, do not delay, contact us today.
Contact us now for water, smoke & odor remediation!