Many individuals use the terms “water damage restoration” and “flood damage restoration” interchangeably when referring to distinct sorts of devastation. On closer inspection, there are important differences that should be recognized. As each has its own unique nuances. That determines the degree of damage as well as how it should be fixed or handled.
In terms of insurance coverage, though, it’s crucial to know what separates water damage from flood damage and what doesn’t. Water entering into places where it shouldn’t cause both types of harm, so it’s understandable that people feel bewildered.
1. What Is The Definition Of Water Damage?
A leaking pipe or an overflowing bathtub can cause water damage to a home’s walls, ceiling, and even furniture. Old pipes might sometimes break in the winter, causing significant damage. The majority of water damage is caused by plumbing faults.
If a fire breaks out in your home and is left untreated for more than a few days, the water used to put it out can cause harm. Water damage can occur as a result of a fire, which may seem contradictory.
Water damage that begins on the upper floors can be particularly difficult to manage because the water will always find its way down. Inflicting even more damage in the process. If the leak or break is not identified and repaired right once, it can do serious harm to your home’s neighboring areas.
2. What Is The Definition Of Flood Damage?
Flood damage occurs when water enters your property as a result of a flooding occurrence, as the term implies. Flood damage can also be defined as when the contents of a congested sewer system overflow and invade your property as a result of heavy rain.
Flooding is common in low-lying areas, where heavy rain from higher areas pools and gushes down to lower areas, causing flooding. This is also true if the flood was caused by a dam opening its gates. This can also happen in cities with poorly maintained sewers or areas near water bodies that are subjected to dam-released floods.
3. Does Flood Damage Apply To All Weather-related Water Incidents?
Most insurance policies will treat water damage only if it entered your home through a damaged roof or improperly treated concrete walls. The definitions have been clear so far. Not all weather-related water incidents, however, considered flood damage.
Water entering your home from the surface, not directly from the sky, must be the source of the damage. Simply put, there must be a flood in your general area to qualify as flood damage.
4. What Should I Do If I’ve Been Flooded Or Have Water Damage?
Water restoration experts will assess the amount of damage to your home and make the required repairs to restore it to its pre-damage condition. The first step is to contact a nearby restoration company.
For proper insurance claim submission, our staff can also determine whether the cause of the damage falls within the definitions of water damage or flood damage. Flood cleanup and water damage repair services are available from restoration firms like us to ensure that your demands are met.
Conclusion
This distinction is significant because if you just have one form of insurance. You’ll need to make sure the damage falls within the correct definitions or you’ll have to cover the costs yourself! Water damage is a type of flood damage, but not all water damages are caused by flooding.
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