Older Homes and Fire Damage Replacements

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Plaster and Lathe in Historic Older Home after Fire Damage

In the fires and other events that we see at SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington, older historic homes often require substantial attention and often pieces are irreplaceable.  Even when they are replaceable, you may find your insurer will not cover an exact replacement.

Those with plaster and lathe tend to have lots of dry flammable wood, and the plaster layers are not so amenable to repairs and patching like modern drywall.  Damage to plaster and lathe may require a complete gut and renovation of a room or home. 

Often other details affected such as columns, inlaid flooring, plaster ornamental details, ceiling medallions, door, window, crown and baseboard trim, and more will not receive exact or even like replacements from your insurer.

You might be surprised to find that your insurer will allow only standard replacements for columns and molding, not the fancy plaster and wood decorative pieces you have cherished.  You may opt for basic coverage and pay out of pocket for the difference, should an event occur, pay more, or your insurer may have other options for you. 

It is wise to consider what your expectations are when first arranging for homeowners insurance and have that discussion before selecting your policy.