Anyone can suffer from the effects of water damage; water can damage our homes over time or in one fell swoop and it can happen if a pipe or plumbing fixture breaks and profusely drips, your washing machine overflows, or a torrential storm causes a nearby drainage system to overflow. We hope that you never have to deal with water damage, but if you do, here are five of the most important things to know.  

Water damage and flood damage are two different things.

You would think that water damage and flood damage are the same thing, because flooding causes water damage. However, this is not the case. Your insurance company defines water damage and flood damage as two different circumstances and as a result, their coverage of damage costs differs. They will most likely not cover flood damage, but they may cover water damage. Flood damage is defined as anything that happens to you and your surrounding neighbors.  

Your insurance might not cover your water damage.  

Yes, even if the damage that has occurred is technically water damage, your insurance still might not cover damage costs or cover the complete cost. Why is this? If they ascertain that you are somewhat to blame for the damages that occurred, i.e. you didn’t keep up with home maintenance, then they may not cover costs. In some cases, they will cover damages, but not the cost of replacing an appliance or home fixture that caused the damage.

Getting the water damage fixed right away is a must.

Especially, if you are anticipating costly repairs, it can be easy to want to wait to address damages but don’t do it! Waiting can cause the damages to become worse and can create dangerous health hazards. Cleared away the water and dehumidifying the area as soon as possible may allow you to salvage more of the affected area and your personal items. Also, avoiding mold as much as possible will save you time and money.  

Tell your insurance about the water damage right away.

It is important to tell your insurance company about the water damage as soon as possible. They can start the claims process and be a guide as you deal with the situation. They will help you anticipate the pending expenses as you go through the water damage restoration process.  

Consider the pollution level of water.

Another aspect of water damage and the water damage restoration process that you should consider is the pollution level of the water. Water pollution can create extremely dangerous health hazards that need to be taken seriously. Water pollution can vary: water from a clean source will most likely not cause additional hazards. However, even water that looks clean can have bacteria in it. Water polluted with sewage needs to be taken seriously. The bacteria and other free radicals can cause severe illness and even death.