HOUSTON – As freezing temperatures begin to ease after sunrise, some homeowners across the area are waking up to a different problem: water damage inside their homes.
Burst pipes and leaks caused by the freeze have left walls, floors, and ceilings soaked, and experts warn that what homeowners do next is critical, especially with more cold weather possible this weekend.
Attorneys say there are three important steps to take right away if your home was damaged.
First, document everything. Take photos and videos of all visible damage and walk through your home while recording, explaining what you see. This documentation can be crucial when filing an insurance claim.
Second, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process.
Third, take steps to prevent the damage from getting worse. That includes drying out affected areas and removing wet materials if needed. However, experts caution against starting major repairs too soon.
They also recommend keeping damaged items, including broken pipes, until insurance companies have had a chance to review the claim.
“The first thing they need to do is document the damages. That’s going to be one of the most important parts, especially with water damage,” said Hunter Klein, a partner at Green, Klein, Wood and Jones. “Take as many photos as you can, as many videos as you can… notify your insurance company immediately, and then you also need to take steps to stop the damage from getting worse.”
Klein also advises homeowners to save all receipts and keep detailed records of any actions taken. With another round of cold weather possible this weekend, drying out homes quickly can help prevent additional damage.