What good records look like
An adjuster who was not there needs to see what you saw. Photographs and video taken before cleanup begins show the water level, the source and the condition of materials that may be removed. They also protect you if a question comes up later about whether something was damaged by this event or was already worn.
A routine saves you from deciding what to shoot while you are stressed. The same pattern works for a basement, a kitchen or a crawlspace in any Wheat Ridge home.
The shooting order
- Start with the source.Photograph the failed pipe, appliance, window well or drain before anything is moved, with a close shot and a wider one.
- Wide shots of each room.Stand in each doorway and capture the whole room, including the water line on walls and furniture.
- Medium shots of zones.Frame carpet, walls, cabinets and appliances separately so each is clear.
- Close-ups of damage.Show swelling, staining, stripped paint and waterlines, with a coin or tape measure for scale.
- Contents.Lay out damaged items and photograph them with labels or brand names visible.
- Video walkthrough.Finish with a slow video and narrate what you see, including the date.
A simple photo log
- Room
- Utility room
- What was photographed
- Source, floor, appliance labels
- Time
- Morning of the event
- Notes
- Water depth noted at the doorway
- Room
- Main basement room
- What was photographed
- Wide, carpet, walls, furniture
- Time
- Morning of the event
- Notes
- Pad lifted at one corner
- Room
- Storage area
- What was photographed
- Boxes, shelves, items moved
- Time
- Same day
- Notes
- Cardboard moved to a dry spot
- Room
- Stairwell
- What was photographed
- Water line, steps, drain
- Time
- Same day
- Notes
- Hose route to the yard
Keep alongside the photos
- A dated timeline of what you noticed and did.
- Names of people you spoke with at the insurer and any providers.
- Receipts for supplies and equipment rentals.
- Product labels and model numbers of damaged appliances.
- A list of removed items and their approximate age.
- Claim number and adjuster contact information.
One more thing to keep in mind
Dates and context make photographs persuasive. Turn on location and time stamps if your phone offers them, and include a printed note with the date in the first frame of a video if you want an extra check. When you throw something away, photograph it next to a tape measure first, and keep a note of the brand and age so an adjuster can estimate its value without guessing.
Common questions
Should I photograph before or after pumping?
Before, if it is safe to wait a few minutes, because the water level and line on walls are useful evidence.
Do I need professional-quality images?
No. Clear, well-lit phone photos with good coverage are what matter.
General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.