10 Things You Need to Know About Water Damage

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

As I write this, California just finished getting hit by yet another powerful winter storm that's spawning massive floods. Since we Floridians aren't immune from thunderstorms and seasonal flooding, I thought I'd take the time today to explain the ins and outs of water damage.  That's because while homeowners'policies cover some forms of water damage, they exclude others.  Water damage can come in various shapes and sizes. It can also cause collateral damage that needs to be properly documented so you can get reimbursed.  Knowing what's what when you wind up ankle deep in water that has no place being in your home can mean the difference between making your property whole again or going down with the ship.  With that in mind, here are ten tips to help you make sense when your home is suddenly sopping wet.

#1: Rain, rain, go away. - When it rains it pours.  At least it does with regularity in Florida where I live.  When lightning flashes and thunder booms I can expect high wind that can drive rain horizontally against my home hard enough to force moisture under exposed doors and through the tiniest of window cracks.  It can also presage the arrival of flying debris and hail which can damage or destroy windows and shingles.  Even though most water damage caused by the wrath of God is covered under my homeowner's policy, it still behooves me to make sure my home is as waterproof as possible between passing squalls.  This means walking around the outside of my home and through my yard to make sure that weatherstripping is intact, that no water is ponding on my property, and that none of the trees in my yard are leaning ominously toward my house.   This way if I am forced to file a claim, nobody will be able to accuse me of neglecting my property which could cause the claim to be denied.

#2: Time to build an ark? - Just because you don't live in a flood zone doesn't mean your home can't get flooded.  It also doesn't take a hurricane or tropical storm to cause flooding.  While a standard homeowner's policy covers you from water damage caused by rain, it draws the line when it comes to rising water.  For that you need a separate flood policy.  If you live in an area that could cause your home to flood, talk to your agent about adding flood coverage.  This way you won't lose any sleep at night when the lightning flashes and the water pours down in buckets for hours on end.  

#3: The proof is in the roof. - There are two kinds of roof leaks.  There's the kind that happens all of a sudden when a tree limb falls only to poke a hole in it.  Then there are the insidious leaks that occur when individual shingles are stripped from a roof or they lose their water tightness as they age.  While both kinds of leaks can cause considerable amounts of water damage, a homeowner's ability to get compensated for the damage either creates is quite different.  That's because while a roof leak caused by a sudden impact is covered by your homeowner's policy, water damage caused by age or neglect may be denied by your insurer. The way to ensure this never happens to you is to occasionally inspect your roof for missing or deformed shingles, cracks in flashing, or any other signs of roof degradation.  

#4: The perils of pipes. - The problem with pipes is that all too many of them in your home are situated behind the walls where you can't see them.  This means when a slow leak starts, you may not even notice it until significant damage is done.  If you want to avoid this, you need to be cognizant of warning factors such as peeling paint or wallpaper, warped, damp or discolored drywall, and any musty smell detected near a wall. Not only can any of these indicate a hidden water leak, they could also spell the onset of mold which can be even more costly to remediate than the leak itself.  Since water runs downhill, just because you detect a hidden leak, doesn't mean that you've found the source.  If you suspect a hidden leak, call a plumber right away.  Plumbers have tools that can detect leaks through walls, cabinets, and other furnishings.  This enables them to precisely pinpoint the source of a leak before tearing open a wall to stop the leak and determine the damage it created.

#5: The thing in the garage. - Water heaters are notorious for springing leaks that are only detected when a homeowner steps in a puddle of water several inches thick.  That's because most water heaters are kept in either the garage or the basement where they are out of sight and mind.  When a seal or a fitting on an old water heater goes, not only will the vessel leak out all its contents, but the automatic fill valve will keep refilling the leaking tank until you have what amounts to a wading pool.  The best defense against a leaky water heater is to install a moisture detector near it that will warn you of even the smallest of leaks.

#6: How bad is your bathroom? - When it comes to the potential for disastrous leaks, nothing beats the bathroom.  Toilets and tubs can overflow, pipes can clog or burst.  Raw sewage can spew from drains and toilets if your street was to flood.  In short, bathrooms can be bad news when it comes to potential water damage. While leaks and overflows are covered by your homeowner's policy, sewer backups are usually excluded.  However, most insurance companies offer endorsements that cover backups.  You could also consider having your plumber install a backflow preventer on your sewer line that allows water out, but prevents sewage from coming into your home.

#7: The root of all evil. - Tree roots love the warmth and nutrients present in sewer lines and have been known to grow to such an extent that the flow of water is impeded or blocked.  If either of these conditions should occur in the line that feeds your home, there's the potential for sewage to backup into your home.  All it takes is a sudden squall to overload an already compromised sewer line and before you know it a smelly mess has invaded your bathroom.  Signs of a blocked sewer line include slow flowing drains or the smell of sewage wafting out of them.  If either of these symptoms persist, have a plumber perform a video inspection of your sewer line to see if roots or debris are restricting the flow of water.

#8: Planning on taking a trip? - Anytime you plan on being away from home for an extended period of time, you'd better remember to turn off your water main.  If a hose should leak or a pipe should burst while you're away, the amount of water damage that can occur could be catastrophic if nobody is there to turn off the tap.  If you plan on going away, you can also install a smart leak sensor that will monitor your property for leaks until you return. (More on this below.)

#9: Technology comes to the rescue. - You don't have to have a smarthome to add high tech devices that can both both warn you of leaks and turn off the water to minimize damage.  For as little as $40 you can purchase a web-enabled water sensor that will sense a leak and text you a notification so you can take corrective action.  These smart devices work by measuring water flow and/or humidity changes in a given area.  When  they detect a change, as happens when a leak occurs, they're designed to alert you to the fact. For $200-$300 you can add a feature that allows you to shut off your home's water main from afar via your smartphone.  When you realize it takes less than an hour for a leak to cause serious damage to your home, having a way to detect and stop a leak when you aren't home could save you from having to file a water damage claim in the first place.

#10: Filing a claim. - If you find you have water damage, first make sure you do everything in your power to mitigate any additional damage.  This could mean turning off a stop that leads to an individual appliance or shutting off the water to your entire home.  Once the leak has been isolated, you next need to determine the extent of the damage and whether such damage is covered under your homeowner's policy.  If water is leaking from your roof, cover the leak with a tarp to prevent further water intrusion.  While all sources of water damage aren't covered, a rule of thumb is that sudden or accidental leaks (with the exception of flood damage) is a covered peril, while water damage caused by neglect isn't. Call your agent to report the damage right away.  If you can't reach your agent, call your insurance company's 24/7 hotline to file a claim and advise you on cleanup procedures.  The reason you need to act immediately is to make sure you don't do anything that could cause your claim to be denied or allow additional damage to occur.  Depending on the cause of the water damage, your insurer may require you to document the damage.  They can also advise you on any stipulations they have as far as which contractors from which to request quotes.  If the damage is such that you and your family need to vacate the premises, you need to inform your insurer.  You'll also need to keep all your receipts since some or all of your living expenses may be reimbursable.

Catherine Powell is the owner of A Plus All Florida Insurance in Orange Park, Florida. To find out more about saving money on all your insurance needs, check out her website at http://aplusallfloridainsuranceinc.com