In Concrete Numbers: How to Estimate the Damage If Water Penetrates Your Home
When water infiltrates a home, major damages can begin to occur quickly. Many homeowners panic during a home flood and are unsure of the steps they should take to protect their family and their belongings. Knowing what to do if your home becomes flooded is essential for the protection of those you love.
Reasons Homes Become Flooded
There are many reasons a home can become infiltrated with water. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, plumbing system failures are the number one reason for damaged homes. The following are some of the plumbing components that can cause flooding in a home.
- Toilets
- Pipes
- Drains
- Water heaters
Appliances that use water can also cause major water damage, including dishwashers and washing machines. The longer water is left standing in a home, the greater the damage left behind. If you keep up with the news, you have likely read the news report on Frankie Muniz’ home being damaged because his cat turned on the sink while he was away on a trip. You can imagine the stress this caused!
Natural Flooding Creates Major Risks
Each year, many areas of the country experience flooding. Flooding is especially prominent during weather events like hurricanes. When a home becomes flooded, it is essential the standing water is removed as soon as possible.
According to the Centers For Disease Control, standing flood waters can expose individuals to diseases, chemicals, and serious injuries. The CDC recommends individuals carefully wash their hands after handling anything that has been exposed to flood waters. Taking special precautions is a must when the cleanup process is going on.
How to Estimate Your Damages
Damages to a home can rise into the thousands when flooding occurs. A mere one to four inches of water can cause almost ten-thousand dollars in damages and the cost of restoration and repairs rises higher with larger depths of water. Homeowners will typically be unable to survey the damage to their home until they hire a company like restoreze to extract the standing water in their home.
After flooding occurs, one of the first things a homeowner needs to do is contact their homeowner’s insurance company. With flood insurance, homeowners can get help with the costs of restoration, repairs, and replacements.
Getting the water pumped out of the home as quickly as possible will help to mitigate the damage. Water damage restoration companies use high-powered submersible pumps to remove the water as quickly as possible, so the damages can be surveyed.
It is wise for homeowners to take plenty of pictures and videos and report them to their claim’s adjuster right away, to get the ball rolling on the claim. The sooner the process is begun, the sooner the home can be restored.
In a flooding situation, safety is the first priority. No material possessions are worth injuries or the loss of life. Should your home become flooded, make sure you are proactive and work to secure the safety of your family and pets first. Never enter standing water, especially when you are uncertain if the electricity in your home is on. Taking precautions and seeking professional help is important for ensuring a flooded home is able to be restored after the damage has occurred.
