FAQs
More FAQs- What are some safety concerns after smoke and fire damage in my home?
- Who is responsible for paying for the service?
- Why did the technician leave wet carpet on my stairs?
Occupant and worker safety is ServiceMaster Restore’s top priority. During the initial inspection, safety hazards are identified and addressed, including debris removal, air quality, electrical issues, slip and trip hazards, etc. Burnt electrical appliances are separated out for disposal, and questionable electrical appliances are unplugged and tagged for evaluation of safe operation. Electrical power may have to be turned off until evaluation by a licensed electrician is completed.
As the property owner you are responsible for payment and will need to sign a form authorizing payment for the restoration services. If this is an insurance claim, ServiceMaster Restore generally collects only the deductible (co-payment) amount from you and bills the balance to your insurance provider as a service to you. If you have a large loss, your mortgage company may be included as a payee on the payment from your insurance company, and you may need to obtain a signature from them as well. If your claim is not covered by insurance or you decide not to file a claim, you will be expected to pay in full. A payment schedule may be agreed upon prior to the start of any non-insured work.
After water damage in your home, stair carpeting is generally not removed for safety reasons. Exposed tack strips or staples, especially on steps, can be dangerous. However, there are situations where removing carpet from stairs is necessary to prevent damage to hardwood steps underneath, or in the case of sewage contamination. Removing tack strips is not advised, as this may damage the hardwood or the subfloor. Extreme caution must be used whenever the tack strip is exposed or when the carpeted stairs are damp. If carpet left on the stairs is unsalvageable, it will be removed when new carpet is installed.