The Home Improvement Blog

Water Damage is the damage done to any property caused by water, either from an inside source or an outside one. It can be slow and barely noticeable or it can be sudden like a flood.

Besides flooding, there are other causes for this damage: broken pipes, leaky foundations, bad weather and faulty appliances like washing machines.

There are three categories of water damage, grouped according to the level of contaminants present. Category 1 is clean water, presenting no threat to public health and safety. Category 2 is grey water when there are contaminants in the water such as urine. Category 3 is black water, the most dangerous and the most polluted, which is very hazardous to human health. An example of black water would be sewage that has backed up in a basement.

Water damage can also cause serious health problems by way of mold. Anything from chronic coughing, wheezing, breathing problems and rashes are all symptoms of mold induced illnesses.

The largest group of claims filed is water damage claims that people file to their insurance companies. It is only during this process that they discover exactly what their policies cover and do not cover.

Proper home maintenance can make the difference between an accepted claim or one that is rejected. If your pipes freeze during an unexpected cold snap and burst, then you will probably get paid for the damages but not for the pipes. However, the claim will be rejected if you left the house unoccupied and unheated. You are considered negligent and will not receive any money at all.

It is very important to watch your language when describing any sort of damage that has taken place in your home. The insurance company has a very narrow interpretation of what a flood actually is. To the company, a flood means water coming in from an outside source such as a river, lake or stream. Pipes bursting in the basement never cause a flood even if the water is up to your knees. Sewer backup does not count as a flood neither does seepage.

When water damage happens in your home, move all belongings away from the affected area as soon as possible. Use a video camera to document what has happened. Contact your adjuster but this is where it gets difficult. Some financial advisers caution against filing a claim if the amount is under $1000. Some homeowners have actually lost their coverage simply because they phoned their insurer to see if they could make a claim. Once your home has been blacklisted by insurers, it is extremely difficult to sell it in the future.

Insurers put these properties in a central database called Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange and other insurers can access this information too. Some companies are so nervous about water damage claims that even a single claim of this type is enough to be refused further coverage. Loss of coverage can make it extremely difficult for homeowners to be able to sell their homes in the future.

Despite all this, cleaning up after water damage is a top priority for you. Remove all belongings from the affected area as soon as possible since mold can start to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours. There are cleaning and restoration companies that deal only with water damage and they are usually on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Keep track of all your expenses, read your policy and then call your adjuster.

Affected by water damage chicago ? Get the inside skinny on what can be claimed now in our flooded basement chicago guide.

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