Tag Archives: Basement Flood
Royal Water Damage – A Rating on Angies List
http://waterfloodsewagecleanup.com/
215-657-2244
ANGIES LIST INFORMATION ——–
Contact: All Calls Answered Live by, Office Staff or Technician
Business Description: OVERALL RATING : Grade, A
LATEST ANGIES LIST REVIEWS:
May. 2013 – Gertrude – Philadelphia, Pa. – He came out too look at water damage. He was honest, nice and on time. He told me I needed someone to do home remodeling.
Feb. 2013 – Lois – Warminster, Pa. – Provided water remediation. took out wet flooring, carpeting, drywall and placed fans to dry out. then applied disinfectant. very responsive. had estimator out in am and by 12 noon the workers were here to start work. follow up for return exactly as scheduled. received a phone call after every visit to be sure every thing went well. i would definitely use them again. not sure of price because insurance paid them directly. Very pleased
Jan. 2013 – Stas – Warrington, Pa. They cleaned up a flooded basement and did a excellent job. They are very experienced in there field and it shows.
Apr. 2012 – Jessica – Bensalem, Pa. The entire staff at Royal…The women in the office, the estimators and the production staff were extremely professional, kind, helpful and reassuring, that I did not need to worry and they would take care of everything…and they did! P/S – I let everyone at Allstate (my agent, my adjuster + his boss and customer service) know what a wonderful job everyone from Royal did. That they should consider making Royal a “preferred vendor” for Allstate.
Feb. 2012 – Bonnie – Norristown, Pa. Outstanding – Thank You!
Dec. 2011 – Marguerite – Blue Bell, Pa. – Excellent Service-would Recommend Highly.
Nov. 2011 – Jessie – Philadelphia, Pa. It went well from start to finish.
SERVICE:
Royal Water Damage Restoration is an exclusive emergency service restoration company offering a 45 minute response time to assist you in your time of need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Certified restoration experts provide thorough no-obligation inspections and our non-invasive drying techniques shorten the restoration process, effectively minimizing secondary damages for residential and commercial properties. We are proud to be recognized and recommended as approved vendors among national insurance companies creating a more pleasant working environment with their policy holders. When an emergency happens, time is of the essence. Call for a free emergency consultation giving you the peace of mind you need.
215-657-2244 ANYTIME – ANY DAY – FREE ESTIMATES
In Business Since: 2005
Service Area: South Eastern Pennsylvania: Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester Counties.
On Angie’s List Since: 3/4/2011
Warranties: YES
Free Estimates: Yes
Office Hours: Mon 12.00 AM – 12.00 AM, Tue 12.00 AM – 12.00 AM, Wed 12.00 AM – 12.00 AM, Thu 12.00 AM – 12.00 AM, Fri 12.00 AM – 12.00 AM, Sat 12.00 AM – 12.00 AM, Sun 12.00 AM – 12.00 AM
Features: Emergency Service
Licensed: Yes, we are appropriately licensed for my trade.
(All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves.)
(All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves.)
Cities Served: Abington | Ambler | Ardmore | Aston | Audubon | Awbury | Bala Cynwyd | Bensalem | Berwyn | Blue Bell | Boothwyn | Bridesburg | Bristol | Brookhaven | Broomall | Bryn Mawr | Bucks County | Bustleton | Cedar Park | Chalfont | Chester | Chester County | Chestnut Hill | Chinatown | Clifton Heights | Coatesville | Cobbs Creek | Collegeville | Concordville | Conshohocken | Croydon | Darby | Downingtown | Doylestown | Drexel Hill | Eagleville | East Falls | Eastwick | Eddystone | Elkins Park | Elmwood | Exton | Fairmount | Feasterville Trevose | Fishtown | Frankford | Germantown | Glen Mills | Glen Riddle | Glenolden | Glenside | Harleysville | Hartranft | Hatboro | Hatfield | Havertown | Holmesburg | Horsham | Hunting Park | Huntingdon Valley | Jamison | Jenkintown | Kennett Square | Kensington | King Of Prussia | Lafayette Hill | Landenberg | Langhorne | Lansdale | Lansdowne | Lawncrest/lawndale | Levittown | Lincoln University | Logan | Lynnewood Gardens | Malvern | Marcus Hook | Media | Montgomery County | Morrisville | Mt. Airy | Narberth | New Hope | Newtown | Newtown Square | Norristown | North Wales | Oak Lane | Old Kensington | Olney | Overbrook Hills | Oxford | Oxford Circle | Parkwood | Penndel | Pennypack | Philadelphia – Downtown | Phoenixville | Plymouth Meeting | Point Breeze | Pottstown | Quakertown | Radnor | Rhawnhurst | Ridley Park | Rittenhouse | Rose Valley | Roxborough | Royersford | Schwenksville | Society Hill | Souderton | South Philadelphia | South Street | Southampton | Southeastern | Spring Garden | Springfield | Spruce Hill | Stanton | Strawberry Mansion | Swarthmore | Tacony | Telford | Torresdale | Upper Darby | Upper Holland | Valley Forge | Wallingford | Warminster | Warrington | Wayne | West Chester | West Grove | Whitman | Willow Grove | Wynnefield | Wynnewood
What Is Subrogation? And how it matters to you.
Subrogation refers to the process an insurance company uses to seek reimbursement from the responsible party for a claim it has already paid.
Subrogation matters to you if:
- You have a covered loss, and
- You submit a claim to your insurance company, but
- Another party is actually responsible for all or part of the damages (i.e. you have a car accident and the other driver caused the accident, or if damage to your home was caused by a faulty appliance)
In this case, your insurance company may pay your claim, and then seek reimbursement from the other party. This would depend on the circumstances surrounding the loss, the laws in your state, and your policy provisions.
If your company decides to pursue subrogation, the company will work to recover the damages from the responsible party. Damages may involve costs paid by you and the insurance company. Costs paid by you usually means your deductible, but could include amounts over your policy limits not paid by your insurance company. This would depend on the laws in your state and the specific circumstances surrounding the loss.
The subrogation process may also be used if you are at fault for damages. In this case, the other party and/or their insurance company would make a claim against you, usually directly to your insurance company. Your company will review the facts of investigation to determine if you are liable for the damages. Your company may make payment to the other company if you have coverage and it is determined that you would be legally responsible for all or part of the damages. Keep in mind that often times liability is not clear cut. In some cases, both parties may be partially responsible. Dependent on the laws in your state, both parties may share responsibility for payment of damages. For example, one party may be 40% responsible, and the other party may be 60% responsible. This could mean that both companies make subrogation claims against each other, and each company pays their respective portion of the other party’s claim.
In all cases, your participation and cooperation with us in the investigation phase of the claim process is important. Your assistance can help to establish important facts, and preserve evidence, and may help to accelerate the recovery process.
Reimbursement When Money is Recovered
If money is recovered, and part of the recovered amount was paid by you, (you paid your deductible, for example, but it was the other party’s fault) a reimbursement check will be issued. The reimbursement check is usually issued when money is received. Please note that practices vary based on the specific laws for your state.
The amount to be reimbursed is based on the amount claimed and the amount recovered. The amount claimed through subrogation depends on the amount each party was at fault. The amount recovered usually is divided proportionally between the insurance company and the insured, after expenses. This could vary based on the laws in your state.
How Reimbursement Amounts are Calculated
Dependent on the laws in your state, you may be fully reimbursed for your deductible if:
- The other party was 100% at fault
- The other party paid the damages claimed in full
- There were no collection expenses (i.e. collection agency) to recover the money.
Often times though, it is not that simple. Based on the different factors that come into play, the calculation of the reimbursement amount can become quite complicated. The reimbursement of your deductible depends on several factors, including the amount recovered, the amount claimed (based on the amount the various parties were at fault), and state laws.
Generally, you would receive reimbursement of your deductible equal to your proportion of the total amount claimed to the total amount recovered, net of expenses. However, precisely how the reimbursement amount is determined varies by state.
These examples outline general rules that apply in many states—please discuss the specifics of your case with your subrogation claim representative.
Example 1: Other party is 100% liable, but only paid part of the amount
The total amount of damages paid is $10,000. The other party was 100% responsible for the damages. Subrogation claim is for $10,000.
- You paid $1,000 and your insurance company paid $9,000.
- Your proportion is 1/10 or 10% of the total amount claimed—$1,000.
- The amount actually collected is $5,000. There were no collection expenses.
- You are reimbursed for $500, or 10% of the amount collected.
- Your insurance company is reimbursed for $4,500.
Example 2: Other party is partially liable; only paid part of the amount
The total amount of damages paid is $1000. The other party was 60% responsible for the damages. Subrogation claim is for $6,000.
- You paid $1,000 and your insurance company paid $9,000.
- Your proportion is 1/10 or 10% of the total amount claimed—$600.
- The amount actually collected is $3,000. There were no collection expenses.
- You are reimbursed for $300, or 10% of the amount collected.
- Your insurance company is reimbursed for $2,700.
Questions? Your Claims Representative Can Help.
Subrogation can be complex and non-intuitive. If you have questions, please let your claims representative know.
Royal Water Damage is an IICRC Certified Firm
Royal Water Damage – IICRC Certified Firm
IICRC Certified Firms have earned the right to display the cleantrust logo as a symbol of quality. In order to achieve IICRC-certified status, firms must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and expertise. All IICRC Certified Firms must:
- Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
- Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
- Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
- Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
- Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC actively has relationships with fiber producers, carpet and fabric mills, furnishing manufacturers and retailers, and others affiliated with the industry. The use of cleantrust service professionals is specified in leading manufacturers’ maintenance brochures and warranties.
When it comes to cleaning, restoration and inspection, the IICRC writes the books
As an ANSI-accredited standard-development organization, the IICRC has led the way in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, upholstery and fabric cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation.
Each IICRC standard takes years to develop and the coordination of several experts in the field, including allied tradespersons; manufacturers; international, national and regional trade associations; individual or franchise professionals; cleaning, inspection and restoration industry organizations; insurance industry; training schools; contractors; and public health professionals.
These standards are reviewed and updated at least every five years. Many of these fields, such as the water damage restoration field, change rapidly and those who are certified keep up with the advancement of the science and generally accepted practices of the industry.
The IICRC helps keep homes and businesses healthful
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person spends 90 percent or more of their time indoors, where levels of pollutants may be two to five times (and occasionally more than 100 times) higher than outdoor levels.
This makes it extremely important to perform regular maintenance inside your home or business. In addition to vacuuming, cleaning and checking for water damage on a regular basis, using a certified technician for cleaning will help extend the life of your flooring and upholstery and ensure that your home or business is healthful for those who live and work there.
Water Damage Restoration – What Are Your Options?
If you have been confronted by water damage in your house or commercial property, you will be best advised to hire the services of a professional fire and water restoration company. Though water damage restoration is something that you can achieve on your own, there is too much at risk to take it up as a do it yourself project.
Here are some highlights about the services that a well established fire and water restoration company like Royal Water Damage will be able to provide.
•Available 24/7 – The good fire and water restoration company will operate throughout the day and night. Time is of the essence when it comes to water damage restoration and lost time will often result in dramatically increased losses and additional restoration expenses. Shut off the water supply that caused the flooding and call a professional water damage repair company as soon as you can.
•Expert help with insurance claims – The fire and water restoration company is more than just a professional service to restore your home. The Royal Water Damage will often award you an insurance specialist who will help you with the insurance claims process along the way. Ideally, claiming insurance should be easy for homeowners who have suffered property damage although the reality is that the insurance company will do anything to give you a check with a lower amount than required. Having professional help in the form of an insurance specialist will save you a lot of stress and effort and will also get you that check that will cover all the restoration expenses.
•Professional equipment – fire and water restoration company will have several commercial grade machines such as dehumidifiers, blowers, truck mounted water extraction units, portable water extraction units, moisture gauges, humidity gauges and so on that will help them remove the water and restore your property in the fastest way possible. If you approached the process on your own, it will take you a very long time as you will generally have just one dehumidifier or just one blower which might not even be powerful enough to do the job in the first place.
•Technical knowhow – This is where restoration companies offers the most value. It will take you several hours of research and learning to figure out the best restoration plan for you house while a professional restoration company will often have years of experience on their hands. Their experience and their expertise will allow them to immediately go to work on restoring your property in the most time efficient and cost efficient manner. They will also be able to advise you about potential problems with the construction of your house that might lead to future water damage problems.
Thus, in conclusion, it is advised that you call for the services of a fire and water restoration company if you haven’t done so already. The sooner your call, the lesser your losses will be. A good fire and water restoration companies will also guarantee you that their repair estimates will be accepted by the insurance company which means that you have almost nothing to lose by hiring professionals.
Service within 45 minutes with FREE Estimates. Call 215-657-2244
3 Ways to Help Prevent Water Damage in Your Home or Business
A pipe bursts, a hose blows or a steady drip goes unnoticed for months. Whatever causes a leak, it usually results in a messy, costly problem. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety reports the average cost of a plumbing failure is more than $5,000 after the insurance deductible was paid.
A leak detection device can be your first line of defense against water damage in your home. Here’s a look at what’s available:
- Passive systems are alarm-only detectors. They are relatively inexpensive and should be placed near appliances and fixtures that use water, in the basement and in other areas where you may have a concern about leaks. The units emit a loud noise or whistle when a leak is detected. Typically battery-powered, they are portable and require no hard wiring, so they’re ideal for do-it-yourselfers.
- Appliance leak detectors are connected to specific appliances that could leak, such as a washing machine or a refrigerator with a water dispenser. These detectors also issue an alarm, but because they turn off the water to the appliance when a leak is detected they are considered “active” leak detection systems. Some appliance leak detectors can be installed by a homeowner; others may require professional plumbing assistance for best results.
- Whole-house leak detection systems provide widespread protection. A shut-off valve is installed on the main water line; the system’s primary unit is typically hard-wired to an electrical source to power the valve. When a leak is detected, the sensors transmit an alert to the main unit, which shuts off the water to the entire house. Moisture-sensing technologies for these systems vary by manufacturer and generally are either internal components of the shut off valve or external moisture sensors that are installed at all appliances and fixtures where leaks can occur. Sophisticated systems can be connected to a home security or fire alarm system, and can be programmed to send an electronic message about the leak to you or a security company. Plumber contractors often install whole-house systems.
In addition to installing leak detection devices, homeowners should stay on the lookout for potential water problems around the home.
- Pay attention to damp or discolored areas under sinks or near refrigerators, and around bathroom fixtures.
- Look for rust on the exterior or base of a water heater.
- Replace hoses on the washing machine every 3-5 years as part of a proactive maintenance plan.
- Investigate musty smells in the basement or near water fixtures.
- Clean and test your sump pump periodically.
- If a leak is discovered, have it repaired immediately.
If you suspect a problem, consider having a plumber check your pipes, fittings and water pressure.
If you do incur water damage be sure to call us for a FREE Estimate and Evaluation at 215-657-2244.
Mold Growth from Water Damage or Flooding
Water damage mold is a type of fungus that produces a growth of damp or decaying organic matter on the surfaces where a lot of moisture tends to be present.
Although mold is a natural substance and water damage mold and is not the greatest of diseases to be felt by the human beings, the fungus might cause some serious problems like irritation to lungs and eyes, allergies, asthma attacks and sinus congestion. If a house has water damage it takes as little as 24-48 hours for mold to develop in those places. In the household, water damage mold tends to be prevalent where there is enough moisture present for the fungus to feed on. The most vulnerable place for water damage mold to grow is bathrooms which are not hygienically maintained and it can also be hidden under carpets or floor tiles which are generally not cleaned regularly.
When your basement gives you musty smell and walls are decolorized that is when you confirm that you have water damage mold in your house. Restoration must be quickly adopted in order that the mold does not cause considerable health hazards. There are a number of things you must take care of if you have this growing around you. The first thing to do before you contact Royal Water Damage is to open your doors and windows so that clean air can get through your house so that the moist condition on which the mold lives will be reduced. Dry up all the house hold blankets and carpets with dehumidifiers.
Water damage mold can be cleaned by relatively simple techniques which can be performed by you. But you have to take suitable precautions like wearing gloves and goggles if you are removing it with your hands. These precautions protect you against harmful mold which are in their advanced stages of growth. A thorough cleaning with Lysol soap solution and water would take care of any mold in household carpets. The floor then has to be painted with an oil paint so that further mold does not accumulate over there.
Besides these there is also dry wall water damage mold which can be reduced by cutting away the dry wall where the mold is suspected to be present. This needs to be followed by cleaning up of any mold seen on the wooden boards by using soap and water. There are a lot of other ways to control water damage mold. A physician’s examination for such water damage mold can also be of great use as a final measure of safety against the spread of any disease.
Call Royal Water Damage for a NO Obligation – FREE Estimate. 215-657-2244
Cost of Water Damage Repair and Restoration, Water Extraction and Flood Cleanup: Pay or File a Claim?
How do I know the true cost of water extraction, flood water cleanup, damage repair, or even file a claim? How would I know what proper tools to get the work completed on my own? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself before you go to the hardware store or even have your neighbor come to do the flood cleanup for you at a discounted rate.
Q: Do you know if the claim is covered?
A: Coverage of water damage depends on the insurance company, but most insurance carriers do not cover water damage that enters the home subsurface. Usually there is coverage if the water comes from the home plumbing system and does not enter the home through the foundation. Most water damage repair is covered if it originates from a broken pipe or a leak in the plumbing.
Q: What is the amount of your deductable?
A: Call your Insurance agent. Find out what your flood damage insurance deductible is. This is the part of the flood damage repairs that you will be responsible to pay. If the water damage is small, the cost may not be more than the deductible and you will not need to file a claim.
Q: Who can you call for an estimate of the flood cleanup, repair, restoration of the damage the water has made in your beautiful home?
A: Royal Water Damage will give you a free estimate for your flood cleanup, water damage repair. Most disaster restoration companies charge by square foot for each service needed to clean up your water damage. There are standard prices that are accepted by the insurance companies. At Royal Water Damage we guarantee to match the insurance company’s estimate so you have no out of pocket expenses for the cleanup of your flood restoration.
Q: Do you have the proper tools to get the work done yourself?
A: Sometimes there are small floods in your home that you can handle yourself. If at any time you are not sure that you can handle it give us a call 215-657-2444 and we will be there with all the proper equipment. We can give you a free estimate and scope of work that can assist you in making that decision.
Q: How soon can a disaster cleanup restoration company be at my home to help me with the water damage?
A: Our Certified Technicians will be at your home within 45 minutes. We know how important it is to get the water off your floors and furniture. It can cause some serious damage if left sitting.
Standard flood damage cleanup includes the following:
● Water extraction
● Wet Pad remova
● Pull up wet carpet
● Treat area with disinfectant
● Set carpet dryers
● Set dehumidifiers
As you have read. It all depends on how comfortable you feel about doing the cleanup yourself versus getting someone else to come into your house doing all the work for you. We are the professionals and know what it takes to make things easy on you and your family. Visit us at www.royalwaterdamage.com.
Water Damage from Frozen or Broken Pipes?
Frozen, Broken Water Pipes Can Be Homeowner Nightmare. If you have water damage from broken or frozen pipes call Royal Water Damage immediately to minimize the damage.
215-657-2244 for a FREE No Obigation Estimate
We don’t often think of damage from frozen and broken water pipes as being on the same scale as a natural disaster, but damage from water is the most prevalent — yet least recognized — catastrophe. In fact, frozen and broken water pipes rank No. 2 behind hurricanes in terms of both the number of homes damaged and the amount of claim costs in the U.S.
Damage from frozen and broken water pipes can be a homeowner’s nightmare. When a pipe bursts, water gushes from the pipe like a fire hydrant, turning a basement into a lake within minutes. Water from frozen and broken pipes causes the most damage while people are away from home, because the plumbing can rupture and water can run unnoticed for several days. Repairs of around $50,000 are common due to water’s wrath.
Frozen and broken water pipes are a significant cause of loss across the nation. Damage can include soaked and ruined drywall. Wallpaper turns moldy. Kitchen cabinets warp, and carpet and draperies can be ruined. Photo albums, paperwork, antiques, furniture and clothing also can be destroyed. Sometimes homes have to be gutted because mold and mildew cover every inch from floor to ceiling.
Potential damage from frozen and broken water pipes is preventable. Efforts to prevent pipes from breaking in your home will save you from the nightmares of water damage and help reduce the enormous insurance claims that result. Policyholders share the financial burden of frozen and broken water pipes through increased homeowners insurance rates. Obviously, preventing broken water pipes is in your best interest
Call today for your No-Obligation, FREE Estimate – (215) 657-2244
Royal Water Damage suggests five easy things you can do to protect your home from frozen and broken water pipes:
1. Disconnect all garden hoses and other outside hose connections. If possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.
2. Insulate all exposed pipes located in your basement, under your home, on outside walls or in attics. For pipes with northern exposures, use heat tape according to the manufacturer’s instructions. (Improper usage may cause a fire.)
3. Set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees even when your home is vacant or unoccupied during the winter. If you plan to be away during cold-weather months, have someone regularly check your home
to make sure it’s staying warm enough to prevent freezing.
4. Winterize sprinkler systems according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Blowing out excess water with a compressor may be the best way to prevent frozen and broken pipes. If you have a swamp cooler, winterize it by disconnecting the water source and clearing the line.
5. Very important is knowing how to shut off the water supply if a pipe bursts. Quick action can minimize damage.
Taking these few precautions before the next freeze sets in may save your home
from the devastating effects of frozen and broken water pipes.
The importance of hiring a Professional Water Damage Company
The earlier you contact a water removal company, the higher. Time is critical. Once water is extracted, drying is imperative. Quick water extraction and drying will help prevent further damage to property. The longer it takes to take out the water and dry the involved area, more water damage occurs, and odds are that mold has begun to grow. Drywall can happen to be dry and unaffected but, if drywall was wet greater than 2 hours it should be replaced.
Mold can be found almost anywhere and it can grow on nearly every surface, as long as moisture and oxygen can be found. When too much moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth usually occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. Many mold troubles remain hidden from site for a long period. They are discovered when someone using a sensitivity to mold spends in time the building and gets sick.
The first step in flood damage restoration is water extraction. Royal Water Damage can send a team immediately, whenever of day, to help you as soon as you need them. When possible, find and stop the initial source of the water (plumbing, faucet, etc). Remove as much water as you can.
It takes a great deal to restore smoke-damaged possessions: far more than a vacuum and scrub brush. Royal Water Damage is skilled in this kind of detailed work. The initial step to restoration is the removal of soot. A commercial-strength vacuum can be used to clean and extract soot. Individual items must get hand-cleaned for soot removal. Whilst the restoration is happening, the property will be open whenever you can for clean air. After the soot is removed, smoke residue must be cleaned. An ozone generator helps extract smoke particles in your home office and belongings. A thermal fogger also draws the smoke out.