What’s The Difference Between Flood Damage and Water Damage?

If you have homeowners insurance you might think your home is safe, but are you confident that your home is protected against flooding and/or water damage? It’s important to know the difference between both types and whether or not you’re covered.

For starters, it’s good to know the difference between flood damage and water damage.
What is Home Flooding?
A flood is external, resulting from heavy rains, tsunamis, storms, mudslides, hurricanes, and overflowing rivers. Basically, if there is a natural disaster your home may be in danger.
Flooding is a type of water damage, but is not referred as that because it is very specific. Since water damage is a general term, you can not substitute it with a more specific term, but flooding (being a branch of water damage) can be substituted with the more general term.
This can be very helpful when you are calling for repair services because if you let them know what kind of incident you have, they will come more prepared to solve that problem.
If you are experiencing abnormally aggressive weather, you should keep yourself updated on the National Weather Service. They may advise you to seek higher ground or even an evacuation if things are really bad.
What is Home Water Damage?
Simply speaking, this is any harm that is caused by water, which technically includes flooding. This is a general term compared to other terms that specify what kind of damage has happened.
That being said, this general term can be more easily applied to more internal incidents, resulting from leaks, pipe bursts, appliance malfunctions etc. This can be mixed up with more specific kinds of damage since both cause damage to your home in similar ways.

When communicating about this kind of incident in your home, it’s appropriate to refer to it just as water damage. If you’re speaking to someone in hopes of helping you with your problem, you need to specify by first introducing the problem and then include the source or affected area, e.g. “I have water damage from a heater leak” or “I have water damage on my ceiling”.
Flood Damage Insurance
This kind of insurance is not typically covered by any home insurance policy. Instead, it is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers. Since the number of people who are actually at risk is very small, it’s not covered by most insurance policies. If you live in an area that is normally or constantly affected by flooding, it might be a good idea to apply with the NFIP.
Water Damage Insurance
Most homeowners insurance policies cover water damage. However, it never hurts to make sure that you are covered. Some policies only cover specific types of damage, so it’s good to make sure what is and is not covered. It can also be covered individually by normal insurance providers.
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Effects of Water Damage

Water damage is a problem that most property owners dread. When it rains heavily or snow melts quickly, the risk of this type of damage increases. Water can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage by damaging wood furniture, upholstery, electronics, household appliances, and plumbing equipment. Water damage also increases the risk of mold growth, which is a very expensive problem to remediate. Hiring a water damage restoration company can make the cleanup process easier to handle, as these companies employ experienced workers who know the best ways to repair or replace damaged items and help with water damage cleanup.

Causes of Water Damage

There are several possible causes of water damage. Leaky dishwashers, clogged toilets, broken pipes, broken dishwasher hoses, overflowing washing machines, leaky roofs, plumbing leaks, and foundation cracks are just some of the possible causes of water damage in homes and businesses. Floods, heavy snow, and heavy rain are other possible causes of this type of damage and can lead to having water in basements. Too much water can lead to minor problems such as water in basement areas, or it can lead to the destruction of homes and businesses. Once a home or business sustains water damage, it is important to start the water damage cleanup immediately. Starting water damage cleanup as soon as possible increases the likelihood of saving water-soaked furniture, carpets, rugs, clothing, and other items.

Categories of Water Damage

Assessing the severity of the damage is important for determining what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal. There are several different categories assigned to water damage. Category 1 refers to clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows. Category 2 water is also called gray water. This means that the water is contaminated and may cause sickness of ingested. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause category 2 water damage. Category 3 water is known as black water. This type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause sickness. The possible sources of black water damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.

There are also several classes of water damage. The class of damage is important when assessing water damage repair options. Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation. Class 2 has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more difficult when it involves class 2 damage. Class 3 has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture. Class 4 requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.

Restoration Process

The water restoration process is an important one. Using the right procedures and materials can help people save cherished belongings and even prevent their homes from being condemned. Water restoration companies specialize in mitigating the effects of water, but the success for water damage restoration depends on the severity of the damage and the amount of water that caused the damage. Water restoration companies may hire outside experts to assess a property and determine a water restoration and water removal plan. These water restoration companies typically use high-tech equipment and well-documented procedures to control water damage. Water in basement areas may only require a short cleanup process, but water in other areas of a property will require extensive remediation.

Health Hazards

It is important to hire one of these water damage restoration companies as soon as possible after water damage occurs. Moisture promotes the growth of mold and other organisms, increasing the risk for serious health problems. Mold exposure may aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in children and people with compromised immune systems. Exposure may also increase the risk for respiratory diseases and other medical problems. Cleaning up immediately can help mitigate the health effects of water damage on everyone in a home or commercial space.

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