4 Elements of the Need for Early Testing

2/25/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth on walls due to humidity.

4 Elements of the Need for Early Testing

One of the first steps in water cleanup and restoration is a thorough inspection and damage assessment. As part of this assessment, the technician may complete pretesting to keep costs down. This early action helps technicians create a plan of action and come up with a cost estimate. There are several good reasons for doing this testing:

Hidden Damage

When water flows through your building, it causes a variety of problems, including ruining furnishings and textiles, causing mold growth, and weakening structural elements of the building. Pretesting before you file an insurance claim means that unseen damages, such as mold behind interior walls can be identified and addressed in the claim. Otherwise, unseen damage won't be part of the initial claim.

Contaminated Water

The second element of the testing is determining the type of water affecting the property. The level of contamination of the water in the building will affect the restoration services. For example, the clean water from a burst pipe under the sink doesn't require the same highly specialized equipment and techniques that black water with feces and hazardous chemicals requires.

Claim Accuracy

As cleanup and restoration technicians work through their testing, you should take careful notes. All of the information included in the reports and your notes will help the insurance agent complete the insurance claim. Your notes will also help you understand the rest of the process.

Low Costs

How does this early testing keep costs down? First, it ensures that hidden damage doesn't have the chance to lead to more damage. Second, the completed pre-assessment protects technicians and the people living or working in the building from exposure to contaminants in the water. Finally, avoiding mistakes when filing the claim prevents unnecessary expenditures.
Pretesting is one way that restoration professionals keep costs low. When you find water damage in your Beach Boulevard, CA, building, make sure that this early testing is part of the process.