Your Obligation to Mitigate Water Damage in Southern Illinois
- jason04897
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
As a locally owned water damage restoration company serving Southern Illinois with over 20 years of experience, Leading Edge Fire & Water Restoration has seen nearly every reason an insurance company may justifiably deny coverage for an otherwise covered water loss.
Common examples include unoccupied dwellings, a lapse in homeowners insurance coverage, or a hidden water leak that has been occurring for days or even weeks. While some of these issues may be outside your control or knowledge, they can still directly affect your insurance claim and the amount of coverage provided.
Today, we want to focus on one of the most important things you can control—your obligation to mitigate water damage—and how failing to do so can cost you thousands of dollars.
Understanding Your Obligation to Mitigate Water Damage
Most homeowners insurance policies include language stating that the policyholder must take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a loss occurs. This requirement is commonly referred to as your duty to mitigate.
What Is Water Damage Mitigation?
Mitigation is the act of reducing the severity and spread of damage after a loss. When it comes to water damage, mitigation includes stopping the water source, removing standing water, and beginning the drying process to prevent structural damage and mold growth.
According to IICRC industry standards, prompt mitigation is critical to protecting both your home and your insurance coverage.
How to Properly Mitigate a Water Loss
If you experience a water emergency in your Southern Illinois home, take the following steps as soon as it is safe to do so:
Turn Off the Water Source
Locate your main water shut-off valve and turn off the water to the home. If you are unable to shut it off, contact a plumber immediately and notify your local water authority if necessary.
Contact an Emergency Water Mitigation Company
Call a professional water damage restoration company like
Leading Edge Fire & Water Restoration provides 24/7 emergency water mitigation services throughout Southern Illinois, with rapid response times to prevent further damage.
Learn more about our emergency services here:
Remove Items From Wet Areas
Move furniture, rugs, and personal items out of affected rooms. If large furniture cannot be moved, block it off the floor to minimize damage.
Remove Standing Water
Use a shop vac or wet vacuum to remove standing water and slow migration into unaffected areas of the home.
Contain the Water
Use towels to dam and redirect water into a confined area to limit spread and reduce additional damage.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance agent or carrier and file a water damage claim as soon as possible. Be sure to document the damage and all mitigation steps taken.
Allow Professional Drying to Begin
Once the mitigation team is onsite, allow them to begin emergency services, including bulk water extraction, furniture blocking, and placement of commercial dehumidifiers and air movers.
The restoration company will also perform moisture mapping to identify hidden water damage and define the proper scope of work required to restore your home.
Why Mitigation Is Critical to Your Insurance Claim
By taking these steps, you demonstrate that you have met your obligation to mitigate in the eyes of your insurance company. This allows the insurance adjuster to focus on evaluating the loss rather than questioning whether the damage worsened due to inaction.
Failure to mitigate can result in damage spreading to unaffected areas, increased repair costs, higher risk of mold growth, and denial or reduction of insurance coverage. Insurance companies can legally deny claims if they determine that the homeowner allowed the situation to deteriorate unnecessarily.
The 4 Most Important Actions After a Water Loss
Turn off the water
Contact a plumber
Contact a professional restoration company
Contact your insurance company
Trusted Water Damage Restoration in Southern Illinois
Leading Edge Fire & Water Restoration is available 24/7, just a phone call away, and can be at your door within two hours with solutions for your troubles.
If you are dealing with a water loss in Southern Illinois, acting fast can protect your home, your health, and your insurance coverage.
Eric Speakman
Owner
Leading Edge Fire & Water Restoration
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