One of the biggest problems that occurs during the holidays is water damage. Water damage can occur due to a variety of issues. However, here are the most common causes:

• Frozen, burst pipes and plumbing
• Clogged gutters and flat roofs
• Poor drainage
• Hot water heater failure
• House fire
• Overflowing tub
• Flooding

Most residents—thankfully—do not have much experience with water damage in their homes. Though it is extremely fortunate to not be familiar with water damage and its effects, this innocent ignorance often allows water damage myths to be accepted as truth when an incident occurs, thus, causing more damage and a plethora of other problems that could have been avoided. We don’t want this to happen to you! For this reason, we are shining light on the truth about water damage and dispelling this topic’s most common myths.

Myth 1: I have to cover the cost.

Whenever there is unfortunate damage done to your home, it is easy to either fear the insurance company’s reluctance to pay or to assume that they won’t pay for the repairs at all. In most cases, your insurance should cover the costs to clean up and repair the water damage that occured. Because of the false assumption that the homeowner will be stuck with the bill, many homeowners take matters into their own hands to fix their home, often using hacky means to repair their home or they assume that as long as the area dries out, the problem will simply go away.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Water damage must be cleaned up properly and repaired. If you are concerned that your insurance company iwon’t pay for the bill, talk to us. We can help mediate the situation and help you get what you are due.

Myth 2: It will dry out eventually.

As we mentioned above, water damage and the subsequent damage that it causes doesn’t just go away, even if you allow the affected area to dry out. Often times, when the area appears to be completely dry, it really isn’t. Wall materials and other structural elements of your home that you can’t see with your naked eye can retain water well after it seems that your home has dried out. If this happens to you, then you are in great danger of mold developing and mold can not only greatly affect your health and the health of your family—causing serious health issues including death—but also cause major structural problems for your home.

If allowed to grow, mold can take over your home resulting in major damages that could result in the complete loss of your home and serious health conditions. Those few unfortunate souls who have assumed that their home was out of harm’s way, simply because they thought it had completely dried out, have suffered greater cost in the long run and paid more for repairs later on than what the initial cost for water damage restoration would have been.

Need Water Damage Restoration in West Michigan?

We don’t want you to make the mistake of not getting the water damage restoration that your home needs. Stay tuned for part two of our blog series to learn more about common myths about water damage and be sure to visit our website to learn more about Bio Star Restoration. We can not only provide water damage restoration services, but we also can help you through the entire insurance process. The claims process can be frustrating and disheartening, but rest assured that we are here to help you recover and get the insurance money that you are due.