Does Your Home Have Adequate Water Damage Protection?

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Here's a question for you homeowners: What is one of the costliest yet most common disasters you can experience? Annually, it costs homeowners billions of dollars! Answer: water damage. Your most important asset should be safeguarded against water damage.

How do you execute water damage protection? Insurance is one of the best ways to guard yourself financially. Various types of policies are used, however, for different types of water damage. We are going to look at several aspects of water damage protection and then alert you as to the best service to call when you suffer water damage.

Insurance and Water Damage

People get homeowner’s, commercial, and renter’s insurance to protect themselves and their finances against numerous possibilities – water damage being one of them. Renter’s and homeowner’s insurance provide coverage for wind driven rain, burst pipes, and damage from roof ice dams. A standard homeowner’s policy basically covers water damage that originates at the top of the premises and flows downward (i.e., burst sprinklers, rainfall, etc.).

Not all policies cover drain and sewer backups. To your renter’s and homeowner’s coverage, you may be able to purchase a backup rider to cover sewer issues.

More often than not, water that begins at the bottom of a premises and flows up is covered by a separate policy for flood insurance (i.e., an overflowing river). This can be purchased from private insurers or the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program).

One of the best ways to prevent water damage is to maintain a home or building properly.

Water Seepage – Prevent It

Water seepage is a problem in the basements of many homes, apartment buildings, commercial buildings, etc. To prevent water damage, it must be stopped. Here are some ways to deal with water seepage in basements:

• Install a backwater valve.
• Make certain that water drains in a direction away from your home, apartment, facility, etc.
• Reseal your basement.

Indoor Plumbing Systems – Maintain and Understand Them

You don't have to be a plumber to have at least a minimal understanding of plumbing systems. You should do all you can to maintain them so that water damage doesn't occur. Here are some suggestions:

• Check all heating and plumbing pipes regularly.
• Within your plumbing system, install a valve for emergency pressure release.
• Know the location of your home’s main water shut off valve.
• Shut the water supply to the washing machine off when you're away on vacation.
• Inspect tubs and showers.
• Inspect all appliance faucets and hoses.

Your Home’s Exterior – Make Repairs And Protect It

Certain seasons and climates can be hard on the exterior of your home. Repair and protect it in the following manners:

• Install gutter guards.
• Check irrigation systems and sprinklers.
• Check your downspouts.
• Inspect your roof.
• Seal and caulk windows.

Your Possessions Must Be Protected

Here are some ways in which you can protect your possessions against water damage or deal with water damage when it occurs:

• Keep your home inventory up to date.
• In basements, keep your belongings stored off of the floor (skids work to an extent) and on shelving whenever possible.
• If there is a risk of water destruction, don't store memorabilia or valuables in that area.
• In waterproof bins, store bulk items and seasonal gear.

Let SERVPRO of West Somerset Help You Recover from Water Damage

At SERVPRO, we can help you recover from a flood resulting from a natural disaster, plumbing leaks and flooding, roof leaks, sewer or toilet backups, fire/water damage, and more. If water damage has already resulted in mold and mildew, we also have services that can be of assistance with mold remediation. Water damage and flooding don't have regular work hours – so we have available emergency service 24/7.

Feel free to contact us if you have any enquiries!