Flood Damage Concerns? Here's What You Need to Know
Flood damage can be incredibly expensive, not just when it comes to repairing the damage itself but also in terms of lost time and productivity. The longer you wait to repair the damage, the more likely it is that mold will grow. And that could lead to serious health issues for you and your family.
In the Western United States, flooding is a common occurrence during the monsoon season, especially in states like Nevada, California, and Arizona. Heavy rains lead to flash flooding in urban areas and even evacuation or rescue efforts in rural areas. Between 1977 and 2012, there have been over 16,000 flood disasters in the US alone.
Â
Damage caused by floods can be devastating. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, the cost of repairing and cleaning up after a flood can be overwhelming. If you’ve experienced flood damage, it’s important to know what your insurance policy covers and how to file a claim.
What is Flood Damage?
Floods occur when water flows into buildings or other property from sources such as rivers or streams, lakes, or reservoirs. Floods may also be caused by ice jams as water in rivers and streams backs up behind ice dams on the banks. They can also be caused by overflowing storm sewers and other drainage systems that cannot handle the volume of water from heavy rainfalls.
The amount of damage caused can vary depending on the amount of water that was involved, how long it was present, and how much time passed before proper cleanup measures were taken. Flood damage can also include erosion from high winds or other extreme weather events that accompany flooding conditions.
Â
Certifications, Ratings, and Awards
Previous
Next
Signs of Flood Damage
- Wet carpets or floorboards
- Watermarks on walls and ceilings
- A strong smell of sewage on the property
- Chipped or peeling paintwork
- Damage to electrical outlets or wiring
- Standing water in the basement or ground floor
Flood Damage Isn't Covered by Homeowners Insurance Policies
Your homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover all types of water damage, especially from floods. You will need to have flood insurance, which is purchased separately from your other policy.
Â
Flood insurance is a type of property insurance that covers flood-related damages to your home and contents caused by overflowing rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water. It also covers mudslides and debris flows. Flood insurance is typically required by federal law if you live in an area that’s considered high-risk for flooding and/or your mortgage lender requires it.
What Should You Do After a Flood?
Knowing what to do after a flood can remove a lot of the stress of an unfamiliar situation. Here are some important points, and the steps to take to get the situation remedied.
Â
Do not let family members enter the home if it is flooded. Keep family members and pets away from standing water. Designate an area for everyone to gather away from the home.
Â
Call a water damage restoration company that deals with flood damage. They will have a team member sent to your property within the hour to assess the damage and let you know what is needed to repair the damage.
Â
Â
While waiting for them to arrive, you can call your utility company and document the damage with photos for your insurance company. Do not turn on any lights or appliances, and leave the premises immediately until help arrives.
Â
Find a temporary shelter. Floodwaters can contain chemicals, sewage, and other harmful substances that can cause serious illness if you come into contact with them. If possible, stay with a family member or at a hotel until the home can be repaired.
What Happens Next?
Â
Despite being a stressful situation, there is not much you can do except wait while the clean-up process is being done. All of your furniture and personal belongings will be removed temporarily to be dried out and the standing water removed.
Â
After the water has been removed, dehumidifiers and industrial fans are used to help the walls, floors, and ceilings dry. The home will be inspected for mold growth and sanitized with an antimicrobial solution to kill germs and bacteria on surfaces. Once the home has been cleaned and sanitized, the repair work, if any, can begin.
Â
You should feel a little relieved now that you know what to do, and what to expect after a flood. Many homeowners assume that it will never happen, so they don’t prepare for it. Then, when it happens, they are completely overwhelmed.
Flood Damage Repair and Restoration Experts
If water damage occurs in your home or business, contact Xpress Restoration Inc. to begin the process of restoring your property. A member of our team is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for emergency service calls.
Â
At Xpress Restoration Inc., we offer full-service restoration for all types of commercial and residential properties including homes and businesses. We offer free assessments of the damage and let you know what will be needed to restore your property back to its original condition before the flood happened. We use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure minimal disruption while completing the job as quickly as possible.
Â
Our team of professionals will work quickly to remove any standing water from your home or business and minimize the damage done by the flood waters so that you can get back into your home or office space as quickly as possible!
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE XPRESS RESTORATION
- Free damage assessments
- Emergency Response in Under 60 Minutes
- IICRC Certified & Insured. BBB Accredited & A+ Rating
- We Help with Insurance Claims
- Full-Service Flood Cleanup Projects
- We are locals and Available 24/7/365
- Water/Flood Damage Restoration Specialist.
- Licensed General Contractor #962604 (Gen. B)
- Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist
