Flooding caused by frozen pipes is among the most common forms of water damage – when temperatures fall to below freezing, the water that might be left in plumbing pipes exposed to those low outdoor temperatures freezes and expands, causing the pipes to burst and to flood the property. If you are faced with flooding caused by damaged piping, here are some important steps to take.

Ensure the Safety of the Premises

Any flooded area can be dangerous, so shut off the electricity as well as the water supply to the affected site, possibly before you even approach it – the combination of electricity and water can be lethal, so do not expose yourself to that risk.

Call Your Insurance Agent

If the type of damage sustained by your property is covered by your homeowner’s insurance, call your insurance agent and ask for guidance. Your agent will help you with advice regarding the restoration process and will also recommend you damage mitigation, restoration and repair companies that you can turn for help.

Call a Plumber and a Water Damage Restoration Company

Many plumbers and water damage restoration Fort Collins experts today provide both scheduled and emergency services, so try to find a contractor that handle calls 24/7. Depending on the size and the nature of the damage, you might also need to contact both types of contractors – while your plumber will fix the damaged pipe section, if the damage is extensive and the flooding affects your home interior, turning to a water damage restoration company is the only way to ensure that your home is cleaned, dried and decontaminated properly to restore its safety.

Next Steps

The repair and restoration process will probably start with the assessment and the documentation of the damage. All the obstacles, such as damaged belongings, will be removed, then the damage will be evaluated by your contractors and recommendations will be made regarding the repair and restoration process. Your plumber will, then, start repairing your plumbing system.

Depending on the amount damage caused by your frozen pipes, you might need the services of other restoration specialists as well. If the flooding has affected flooring and walls in your home, your property will need cleanup, dehumidification and disinfection of your rooms, then the walls and floors in your rooms will need to be restored and refinished when the drying is complete. This means that beside the plumber and the water damage restoration Fort Collins contractor, you might also need a mason or a painter as well.

Filing an Insurance Claim

The contractors that you work with might also be able to help you with your insurance claim file. To substantiate your claim, the claim file needs to include evidence of the damage, calculations regarding the amount you claim and detailed descriptions of the repair action. After you submit your claim, your insurer will send their own adjuster to check your property and to negotiate the details of the final insurance compensation agreement. The contractors whose help you have enlisted during the repair process can help you with this phase as well.