Water Damage Restoration in Amarillo
4/19/2023 (Permalink)
Amarillo is prone to flash flooding due to its flat terrain. Due to our location in the High Plains of the Panhandle region, our rainfall runoff has little opportunity for absorption, which leads to floods.
Flash flooding can cause a variety of damage, including:
- Business Interruption
- Structural damage to buildings
- Damage to interior fixtures, furniture, and equipment
- Destruction of stored merchandise or products
- Loss of electrical systems due to water damage
- Flooding of basements and underground floors leading to potential mold growth
- Damage from floating debris during flooding
With these risks in mind, it is essential that our Amarillo neighbors are aware of their local flood risks and be prepared with professional water damage restoration services when needed.
Business Interruption after Water Damage
Business interruption disrupts normal operations due to unforeseeable circumstances, such as natural disasters like flash flooding. When businesses experience water damage, it can lead to a significant loss of revenue due to the inability to operate as usual.
The effects of business interruption can be long-lasting, causing damage to a company's reputation and reducing employee morale. In some cases, businesses may have to close their operations permanently, leading to job losses and financial strain on owners.
To mitigate these risks, business owners should have the plan to deal with potential disasters, including water damage restoration services. By having a comprehensive program that includes business interruption insurance and a partnership with a trusted restoration company, businesses can reduce the impact of unforeseeable events and quickly return to normal operations.
Professional water damage restoration services can help businesses to speed up their recovery time and minimize the negative impact of flood damage. It's always a good idea to partner with a local water damage restoration company you can trust to get your business back up and running as quickly as possible.
Choosing the right water damage restoration company is crucial to restoring your property to its pre-flood condition as quickly and efficiently as possible. Here are some essential factors to consider when choosing a water damage restoration company:
1. Certification and Licensing:
The company you choose should be certified and licensed by the appropriate authorities, like the IICRC. Certifications ensure they have the necessary training and experience to handle water damage restoration effectively. While on-the-job training and experience are essential, you want to avoid running the risk of all new technicians training on your damage.
2. Response Time:
In situations involving water damage restoration, time is of the essence. A good restoration company should be able to respond to your emergency within a few hours, ideally less than two. Delaying the response could lead to further damage and pose a risk to your health and safety.
3. Availability of Equipment:
A reputable water damage restoration company should have access to the latest equipment and technology to help them deal with any water damage emergency, including water extraction, dehumidification, and drying. When choosing a water damage restoration company, ask them about quantity and ability. If you have a large commercial property, you must ensure the company you work with has the right amount and capacity equipment to dry it properly.
4. Expertise:
Water damage restoration can be a complex process, and not all companies have the same level of expertise. Be sure to choose a company with a long proven track record and positive reputation. Many restoration companies are also cleaning companies, so when you look at their public reviews, ensure they are about large water restoration jobs rather than simple cleanings.
5. Insurance:
You will likely have to file an insurance claim to restore your property after water damage. When choosing the best restoration company, ensure the company has the experience and trained personnel on staff that can and will know how to work with your insurance adjuster to manage your claim. Ask for proof of pre-existing relationships and agreements with major insurance carriers.
Likewise, a reliable water damage restoration company should hold adequate liability and workers' compensation insurance. Insurance coverage protects your property from any damage during the restoration process and ensures that no one has you liable in case of any accidents.
6. Customer Service:
Excellent customer service is paramount when choosing a water damage restoration company. The company should have a team of friendly and knowledgeable professionals who are readily available to assist you at any time, answer any questions you have, and provide regular updates on the progress of the restoration work. Ask your water restoration company to explain their process to you. Their answer should be clear and easy to understand.
Structural Damage to Buildings After Water Damage
Flash flooding can wreak havoc on buildings, resulting in compromised structural integrity. Flooding could lead to significant damage or collapse of the entire structure.
If the building you are in has been damaged by water and you suspect the structural integrity has been compromised, leave the building immediately. A professional water restoration company should be able to work with a structural engineer to assess your building's safety before anyone else enters the building.
Water Damage to Interior Fixtures, Furniture, and Equipment
Floodwaters could get inside a building, causing significant destruction to its interior fixtures, furniture, and equipment. Damaged electrical items should be left alone until a professional restoration company can assess the damage.
Experienced water damage restoration companies can assess the damage to the item and either restore it or work with an insurance adjuster to claim it as lost so that it can be replaced.
Destruction of Stored Merchandise or Products
Retail stores and warehouses could suffer significant losses when their stock gets destroyed during a flood. The loss could be even higher when perishable items such as food and drinks are involved.
A knowledgeable damage restoration company should help you assess what stock is unaffected and help you salvage it by quickly mitigating further damage.
In commercial kitchens floodwaters could seep into commercial kitchens and contaminate the food items prepared there, leading to public health hazards.
Loss of Electrical Systems due to Water Damage
Water conducts electricity, and when it gets into contact with electrical systems, it could cause electrical shorts, leading to the loss of power supply and potential electrical fires.
Only handle affected electrical equipment once a licensed electrician has checked the system.
Flooding of Basements and Potential Mold Growth
Water in basements and underground floors could lead to damp conditions that favor mold growth. Your water restoration company should have a process to complete thorough inspections to verify they know and have a drying plan for every affected part of your property.
Damage from Storm Debris
Flash floods could result in floating debris that can damage structures and harm people. The waste could include tree trunks, rocks, and other heavy objects.
Along with restoring the interior of your property, an experienced restoration company will also be able to clean your exterior and make it possible and safe to enter your building.
Filing a Water Damage Insurance Claim
You will likely seek insurance coverage for potential losses resulting from flood damage.
Filing a water damage insurance claim can be a complex and time-consuming process, but ensuring that you receive adequate compensation for any losses is crucial. With the potential for extensive property damage, it is essential to know how to navigate the claims process to get your business back on track as quickly and efficiently as possible.
To file a successful claim, you need to take specific steps.
First, document the damage by taking pictures and videos of the affected areas. A professional restoration company will be able to do this for you, and they will have software to document and list damaged items professionally and estimate replacement or repair costs. They should notify your insurance company immediately and provide them with all relevant documentation.
While dealing with the claims process, it is essential to remain patient and persistent. The right restoration company will have a dedicated person assigned to help you with this specific task, and they will contact your adjuster nearly daily. This person is responsible for improving your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve and returning to normalcy sooner.
SERVPRO is the #1 Most Trusted Brand
If you're looking for a reliable and experienced water damage restoration company in the Amarillo area, SERVPRO of Amarillo stands out. Here's why:
1. Quick Response Time: In the event of water damage, time is of the essence. The longer you wait to address the problem, the more extensive the damage becomes. SERVPRO of Amarillo has a 24/7 emergency response team that can quickly arrive at your location and begin the restoration process ASAP. We come with trained technicians and professional equipment, ready to work.
2. Experienced and Trained Professionals: Our team comprises highly skilled and experienced technicians trained to handle any water damage situation. Our team is IICRC certified, and each technician graduated from SERVPRO University. SERVPRO of Amarillo uses state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to restore your property to its pre-damaged state effectively. We have thousands of pieces of equipment to handle any size of water damage. SERVPRO has over 50 years of experience, and SERVPRO of Amarillo is owned and operated by one of the longest-tenured franchisees in the nation.
3. Comprehensive Services: Besides water damage restoration, SERVPRO of Amarillo offers services to help restore your property to normal after a disaster. These services include construction services, mold remediation, fire damage restoration, and more. Our office also offers free disaster planning, where we visit our client's properties and pre-plan a restoration guide to help avoid business interruption. We are a licensed Texas Mold Remediation Contractor with the most mold-certified staff in the Panhandle.
4. Insurance Assistance: Dealing with insurance companies can be a hassle during a water damage emergency. Our team can work directly with your insurance provider to help expedite the claims process and ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Each of our customers is assigned a dedicated Project Coordinator to process our client's insurance claims and work with insurance adjusters to restore properties to preloss condition.
5. Customer Satisfaction: At SERVPRO of Amarillo, we are committed to customer satisfaction. We strive to make the restoration process as stress-free as possible for our clients and work hard to ensure they are delighted with our work.
Choose SERVPRO of Amarillo for reliable and effective restoration services that other Amarillo business owners also trust.
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