7 Reasons to Create a Digital Sketch During Water Damage Mitigation

A good floor plan app is a handy tool that allows you to document every water-damaged jobsite with ease. Simply create a sketch as you complete your walkthrough, with a focus on the following tasks:

• Diagram all affected rooms/areas

• Include measurements that will be needed for remediation and restoration quoting

• Attach and mark up photos for even clearer documentation

• Add notations that describe your findings:I

  • Insert room labels (attic, living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, laundry area, mudroom, basement, etc.)

  • Identify the probable cause(s) of water damage (e.g., a natural disaster or rainy weather, air-conditioning unit condensation, a defective water supply line, cracked/leaking household water pipes, broken household appliances, a clogged drain, a septic tank and or sewer backup, an old or faulty water heater, a damaged sprinkler system, water overflow from a toilet, an inoperative sump pump, inefficient roof water drainage, etc.)

  • Describe the classes of water damage and water damage category (clean water from internal pipes, or dirty/contaminated water)

  • Identify exact areas and contents that have been damaged (while also documenting any pre-existing damage)

  • Describe the signs and extent of water damage (e.g., puddled water, water marks/stains, discoloration, cracking/flaking walls or ceilings, sagging, soft spots, warping/swelling, rust, peeling or bubbling paint, musty/damp odors, evidence of mold)

  • Include moisture readings and all the drying logs for water damage

  • Note anything that affects the property’s safety and structural integrity

• Send the sketch to Xactimate and start processing your claim with the generated Xactimate sketch.