STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION

Whether insured or not, it is important for property owners to document storm damage with photographs or video, and immediately, to begin loss mitigation procedures themselves; or hire Morocco Service Inc. (qualified contractor) to do this on your behalf. It is totally inappropriate to put off mitigation while waiting for insurance claims representative to arrive on the scene to evaluate the loss. By that time, in all probability sufficient time will have passed to grow and amplify microorganisms, which may not be covered by insurance. Loss mitigation is defined by insurance policies as "reasonable and prudent measures designed to preserve, protect, and secure property from further damage," including microbial growth and amplification.

Where financial resources permit, it is highly recommended that trained, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Technicians accomplish comprehensive restoration.

IICRC Storm Damage Restoration Recommendations

1. Foremost, consider safety:
   1. Structural Integrity – Before entering a storm or flood-damaged structure, consider structural integrity, which may be impacted by the force of the wind on, or the force of the water entering the structure. When in doubt, obtain an evaluation by a licensed and qualified builder or structural engineer before entering.
   2. Ventilation – Fresh moving air discourages the growth and amplifications of microorganisms. Open windows and door and air the structure out thoroughly.
   3. Shock Hazards – Ensure that electrical shock hazards have been eliminated by turning off the supply of electricity (circuit breakers) to damaged areas. Anticipate that electricity may be restored suddenly without notice.
   4. Personal Protective Equipment – Wear protective clothing, boots with steel or fiberglass shanks, and a hard hat. Protect yourself from injury or exposure to microorganisms.
2. Remove quantities of debris (silt, vegetation, floating objects brought in by the storm surge), if present, with shovels, rakes, etc. Carefully clean all tools with appropriate detergents after use.
3. Identify the source of water extent of wetting:
   1. When wind-blown rain water enters a building, it is important to identify the route of entry and to trace its path, as possible, to identify all wet components (ceilings, walls, insulation, framing). Morocco Restoration uses specialized water-detection equipment and may be available to assist in the determination.
   2. In rising water situations, typically there will be a visible water line on
   drywall or paneling. However, water may migrate or wick upward within the wall material itself or within insulation behind the wall.
4. Remove unsalvable or wet materials:
   1. When wetting is caused by storm damage and comes from overhead or around openings in the building envelope, especially when power has been interrupted in hot climates, it is important to remove wet components, as possible, to expose pockets of saturation to air circulation before microbial growth can occur.
   a) Begin at the point of water entry and trace the path of wetting, removing ceiling and wall components and insulation as you go.
   b) Professionals with specialized equipment to dry carpet, pad and sub flooring materials should be called. It is normally prudent to remove saturated carpet and pad.
   c) It is highly recommended that solid or laminated wood flooring, or sheet vinyl be removed to expose pockets of saturation.
   
   2. In rising water situations (storm surge with contaminated ground
   water):
   a) Remove and dispose of drywall, paneling or other wall
   materials up to a point of 15-24 inches above the water line visible on the wall. If possible, stay within four feet of the floor to salvage as much wall material as possible, since drywall is usually installed horizontally in 4x8 or 4x12 panels.
   b) Remove and dispose of wet insulation materials exposed during wall removal. Look for evidence of moisture wicking up insulation materials.
   c) Remove and dispose of floor coverings; carpet, cushion, pad, felt, and sheet vinyl, laminate, or tile flooring materials.
5. Dry structural components with plenty of air circulation, while maintaining constant ventilation (weather conditions permitting.)
6. Leave cleaned structural surfaces exposed to fresh air movement for
   several days or even weeks, or until you are sure that they have returned to within four percentage points of normal moisture content (MC) levels (generally the normal MC of structural wood is around 10%).
7. Reconstruct or replace components as required.