So you wake up in the morning and find a disaster. Your water supply line to the sink in the downstairs power room has broken during the middle of the night. As a result, your bathroom is flooded, your kitchen is flooded, your hallway is flooded and the water has poured downstairs into the baseman and left it partially flooded.

So, you ask, “What do you do if the bathroom floods and causes a big mess?”

The first response, other that shutting off the water and grabbing a mop, may be to call your insurance company. After all, you pay them a lot of money for situations just like this.

Your first response would be wrong. And it could end up costing you money in your insurance claim payment.

Yes, the insurance company will honor its policy and pay for the damage.

But they’ll pay a little as possible.

That’s why your first call after incurring a home water disaster is to call someone who has experience in the area of water damage restoration.

A trained technician can walk you through the process of what needs to happen in order to get order restored in your home. The technician will have the equipment needed to clean up the mess and begin to dry out your home.

An IICRC-certified trained technician, like those at First In Restoration, can provide a step-by-step action plan to help guide you through the process. And part of the guidance will be showing you how to navigate the insurance maze so you’ll get what you deserve – with the least amount of hassle from the bean counters.

A trained water restoration technician can help you identify the cause of the problem and, if needed, connect you with our 24/7 emergency plumbing partner. He will be able to take photos and moisture readings to document the damage, just in case the insurance company tries to resist.

The technician will also provide an estimate of the cost, a basic claim that simply cleans and dries the area, or a more extensive claim that includes any demolition or repairs that need to be done.

Some water-damage claims are simple. Others are more complicated, particularly when drywall, flooring, cabinets and personal items are involved. Do they need to simply be dried out? Or do they need to be replaced? There are questions that a technician can help you with when they come to begin the process of water-damage restoration.

A water-damage accident is a trying time. Not only is it inconvenient and damaging, it throws a huge kink into your work and personal schedules. It can be mentally draining.

If it happens to you, a family member or a friend, make sure the first step is to call an expert. Their guidance in a situation with water damage can save you money – sometimes a lot of money – and mental anguish.



If water damage happens in your home, call First In Restoration first. Our trained technicians can assess the damage, begin the drying process, document the loss, and help guide you through the insurance claim process from the start.

Call First In Restoration today: (678) 483-7284

If the weatherman is predicting heavy rains – or even a tropical storm – in your area, you know there’s a good chance that you’ll be dealing with cleanup issues. But there are steps you can take to mitigate the amount of damage incurred. In fact, with the proper preventative measures, you might avoid it altogether.

So what are some smart steps to take to help prevent water damage in case of an impending storm? Here are a few ideas that could possibly save you some time – and money.

Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear. By removing the debis (leaves, old Frisbees, pizza boxes for Breaking Bad afficionados) you can make sure the water flows. Then, make sure the downspouts extend away from the house so the water will be dispersed in the appropriate places.
Take a look at the roof and make sure there are no missing shingles. If you see edges that are lifted up, take time to nail them down or repair them. Double-check the flashing around the chimney and the ventilation fans to make sure they’re in good condition and have the appropriate seal.

Make sure the soil is sloped away from the foundation. In extreme cases you might want to consider grabbing some sandbags.

Since you want to prevent the water from sneaking into the house, close and lock everything – a locked door has a tighter seal. If you have older windows, consider using a plastic sheet and painter’s tape to secure them.

Don’t forget the garage. If your driveway slopes down, put sandbags at the entrance. And, just to be sure, get everything off the floor. You could use a rack or an old wooden pallet, the kind that businesses will just throw away.

Don’t forget to have extra buckets and tarps ready – along with plenty of towels. (Keep that wet vac handy, too, just in case you need it.)

Once the storm is over, take a quick inventory of any damage. You’ll want to check the roof for possible leaks and you’ll want to dispose of any wet material as soon as possible – because failure to do so can lead to mold. Start running fans and dehumidifiers as soon as possible to dry things out.

Hopefully you’ll avoid damage from Mother Nature’s latest incident, but if you have storm or water damage, the next step should be to reach out to a trained water mitigation specialist. Make that call first and the trained technician can help examine the damage and help walk you through the process of filing an insurance claim. That could help you get the most possible money from your insurance claim.

If your home or business has storm or water damage, call First In Restoration first. Our trained team can assess the damage, help dry out the affected areas, document the restoration process, and guide you through the next steps.

Call First In Restoration today: (678) 483-7284