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A fire destroys your kitchen. A tree falls through your porch roof. A broken pipe leads to extensive water damage. Anything can happen, and chances are, every property owner will face a crisis of unexpected damage at some time.
The information on this web site and the resource links we have researched and made available to you herein will help you should you find yourself in the aftermath of a home disaster. If you are reading this precisely because you just had a disaster occur, our intention is to be helpful, instructive and comforting.
Now - take a deep breath!
When Disaster Strikes
You KNOW to call 911 if you require assistance such as putting out a fire or stopping a water flood. That is a legitimate reason to call and that is why they are there.
To best prepare for a future possible incident, meet with your entire household and go over an emergency 'Get Out of the House' plan, including who will get the pets and where you will all meet outside. Keep a cell phone handy to grab as you leave, or your car keys to access a cell phone left inside your car. Do not use the phone from inside the house if possible. For another option, test your portable phone now to see if it works when you take it outside. Getting out of the house in case of a fire or fallen tree is of utmost importance. Both situations can escalate to extreme danger in a matter of seconds.
Who to Call Next
Don't leave the scene. The security of your property has been compromised. Now it is time to call your insurance company. We suggest programming the number into your cell phone and also keeping the info in the glove box of your vehicle. Insurance companies are set up to take your call anytime 24/7. Telling them what has happened is called "filing a claim". The sooner the better. Then they will tell you exactly what to do next. They will send a claims agent or adjuster over to your home.
Only the professional fire fighter or other disaster expert on the scene can determine when you can reenter your home. Yes you will want to retrieve plants, undamaged personal items, valuables and precious possessions. Be in communication with your insurance company's contact person to be sure you are not removing something that is damaged that they need to see first. Many times your insurance company will give you an advance amount of money towards your claim so you can take care of immediate needs such as food and lodging.
Get Emergency Repairs Underway
Our company responds to emergencies by coming out to your home any time it is critical to do so and we are experts in handling fast, adequate, temporary repairs in case of a disaster. Before you leave your home to stay in temporary lodgings you need to be certain it is first made safe from unwanted entry by thieves or vandals. Also, the windows, doors and roof may need emergency repairs and weather-proofing so rain cannot get into your home. For more help, resources and info...
Links
Flood do's and don'ts: www.Floodwaterdamage.com
Safeguarding your property: www.flash.org
Home Safety Check: www.DPI-inc.com
Securing your home: www.Msnbc.msn.com/id/3079239
Specializing in large cleanup jobs: www.Servpro.com
Sinkhole Info and Resources: www.sinkhole.org
Sinkhole 'Hidden' Blessing for Some Home Owners: www.staugustine.com/stories/030203/sta_1363885.shtml
Sinkholes - A Common Surprise for Florida Home Owners
Q. What state has the highest occurrence of sinkholes?
A. Florida.
How does a sinkhole happen? The rock below the land surface in our state
is nearly all limestone which is soluble and only covered by a thin layer
of sand and sediment. As water moves through the limestone, small holes
develop into larger holes. As the rock dissolves, the supportive ceiling
above natural caverns becomes thinner and weaker. This results in collapse
if the ground sediments become too heavy such as after a heavy rain,
and the depression or hole is called a ‘sinkhole’. In extreme
cases of collapse, a sinkhole can grow 40 to 60 feet deep and wide in
a matter of hours.
Drought years, when water levels decrease due to low rainfall, often have the highest occurrence of sinkholes. Then, if we have an unusually heavy rainfall the conditions are even more favorable for sinkholes to develop. Dry-weather followed by wet-weather situations lead to the greatest number of sinkhole reports - as many as 150 each year - with countless others going unreported.
You may walk out of your house and observe a large crater in your yard that was not there the day before. However, it is more common to notice small changes and hopefully be forewarned. Signs you may have a sinkhole developing include:
- Circular patches of wilting vegetation
- Cracking in your walls, floor, pavement or pool deck
- Sagging or slanting fence posts, trees, etc.
- Fresh exposures on fence posts, trees, etc.
- Small pond formation after rain where water had not collected before
- Doors or windows no longer close properly
- New depressed area or small hole in yard
- Sediment in your water
- Neighbors have had a sinkhole
If you have sinkhole activity near your home or property damage from a sinkhole you should immediately contact your insurance company. Florida Law requires insurance companies to provide coverage for damage caused by sinkholes. Your insurance company will make an initial inspection of the property to determine if the damage is consistent with sinkhole activity. Then they are required to obtain and pay for a qualified expert to investigate the damage and to issue a written certification as to whether the damage was caused by a sinkhole.
Premiere Restoration Orlando has experience evaluating the damage in terms of home or property repair and restoration. A Senior Estimator will be glad to come out to your home and let you know the extent of the repair project and what must be done to prevent further cave-ins and costly damage.
Having A Bad Day?
The Chinese proverb tells of a man whose horse, a prize stallion, runs away. The neighbors say - oh, so unfortunate! He says - maybe so, maybe not.
Later the horse returns having rounded up three mares and two foals, adding greatly to the man's stock. Neighbors say - oh, how fortunate! He says - maybe so, maybe not.
His number one son tries to break in one of the new wild horses and has his leg broken in 3 places. The neighbors say - oh, how unfortunate! The man says - maybe so, maybe not.
The Imperial Army marches through the area, drafting all young men, except the man's favorite son with the bad leg..
Also remember: The caterpillar, once inside the cocoon, dissolves into a soup. He is in the soup for some time before the essential elements rearrange themselves into the lovely butterfly. Is finding yourself 'in the soup' the end - or the beginning?
Then there is the story of the burning hut. Having spent all his energy dragging driftwood and palm branches to construct a shelter, the stranded man collapsed on the sand. He awoke later to the sound of thunder. As the storm approached, nothing had ever looked as ominous to him as he looked out over the quickly blackening sea and sky. He cried out to God. He was angry about feeling so afraid and forsaken. Just as he started towards his hut lightning struck it and it burst into flames and quickly burned to the ground. He crawled under a tree as the hard rain started, totally in despair. The next day a small boat brought two men to his rescue. As they left towards the off-shore ship, they told the man they had seen his signal fire the night before.
When disaster strikes, watch for the gift to reveal itself.
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What Our My major concern regarding the reroofing of my home was to safeguard my new $2,000 driveway. Mr. Morgan assured me he would protect my driveway -which he did! We have found many concerns that come on our property to do work do not live up to their word, but Mr. Morgan did. Thank you for doing your "BEST" for us! We would most definitely recommend you. L. Carpenter, Orlando |
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