A residential disaster can be devastating. The effects can feel even worse when cherished possessions or other valued objects are damaged. Having a plan and knowing how to respond to these types of situations can help you restore your home and return to normalcy.
Paul Davis Restoration of North Dallas is a full-service emergency cleanup and restoration company. With a team of licensed and experienced restoration professionals, we specialize in residential restoration services for flood damage repair, fire damage restoration, and other disasters. Here, we detail how to salvage damaged possessions and discuss the type of insurance that pays for damages to belongings.
What To Do after a Residential Disaster
After a residential disaster, your first priority should be the health and safety of your loved ones and other members of the household. Ensure that everyone is accounted for and those who need it are seeking medical attention.
Once it is deemed safe to return to your home, assess the condition of your property. During this time you will inspect all areas of your home to determine the amount of damage sustained. Keep track of damages by either writing them down or by documenting them with your cell phone. Take pictures and videos of all the damage you uncover.
After assessing the amount of damage your home has sustained, file an insurance claim with your provider. The sooner you file, the sooner you may be able to begin repairs. Include the photos and videos you took, as well as any important documentation with your claim. Even if you’re not completely sure of the extent of the damage, it’s still wise to file a claim to notify your provider. After you file a claim, your provider will assign your case a claims adjuster who will conduct a more thorough examination of the property.
Salvaging Family Valuables and Other Possessions
Family heirlooms or other prized possessions may be salvageable with patience and prompt action. The likelihood of saving your possessions depends on the cause of damage. If items have been directly burned due to a house fire, they will most likely need to be replaced. If not, depending on the amount of smoke damage, items could be cleaned or resurfaced.
Items that have been damaged by water may be salvageable, as well. When attempting to save water-damaged photographs, carefully remove the wet photographs from their enclosures. Never pull apart photographs and negatives that are stuck together. Instead, soak them in clean water until they separate. Allow the photographs to air dry by hanging them with clips placed at the edges. Wet photographs can also be air dried by laying them flat, face up, on a paper towel.
Metal objects that have been exposed to or damaged by floodwaters should be rinsed with clear water and then blot-dried with a soft, clean cloth. To increase the drying rate, fans and low-heat hairdryers can be used. Allow heavy mud deposits on large metal objects, such as sculptures, to dry before attempting to clean. Only once completely dry should caked mud be removed.
Personal Property Coverage
Personal property coverage helps cover the cost of personal items when they’ve been damaged in a residential disaster. With contents coverage on a home policy, your items will be protected against fire, theft, and other covered perils outlined in your policy. Depending on your specific insurance policy, personal property coverage can include:
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Tools
- Decorations
- Jewelry
- Art and collectibles
- Bicycles
- Musical instruments
Professional Residential Disaster Relief in North Dallas
If your North Dallas home has experienced a disaster, act quickly by calling the restoration pros at Paul Davis Restoration of North Dallas. Located in Carrollton and serving the North Dallas and surrounding areas, we provide professional restoration services to homeowners. Our services involve a full range of contents restoration, property damage cleanup, and reconstruction expertise as a result of fire, water, storm, mold, or other disaster. What’s more, our qualified insurance professionals will work directly with your provider to address repairs and personal property coverage for your valuable possessions. To learn more about our offerings and how we can help restore your home, contact us today.
