Flooding in the home can cause a lot of damage, and many homeowners are unsure what is considered flood damage. Flooding can be caused by overflowing rivers or lakes, storms that produce high winds and rain for an extended period of time, or any other natural disaster.
When homes are flooded with water from these sources it can lead to mold growth due to dampness, extensive structural changes due to shifting foundations, and even entire rooms being destroyed because of standing water.
When this happens, you’ll definitely want to contact a water damage restoration company like Janney Restoration.
What’s The Difference Between Water Damage and Flood Damage
First, it’s important to know what the difference between “water damage” and “flood damage” is.
Many people believe that the two terms are used interchangeably. While flood damage is often covered by insurance, water damage is rarely covered unless it’s caused by a natural disaster.
What is Water Damage
Water damage is typically the result of plumbing issues, such as a toilet backup or a flooded air-conditioning unit.
What is Flood Damage
Flood damage is often the result of water from a natural or man-made catastrophe, such as a hurricane or prolonged rainfall. Flash-flooding, sump pump failure, and roof leaks are examples of this.
What Causes Flood Damage?
Flood damage occurs when water enters your house as a consequence of a flooding event. In other words, it must rain enough to produce either a flooding event or a flash flood in order for this to happen.
It can happen during a natural disaster or hurricane that generates significant rainfall in a short amount of time. It’s also possible with an insufficient slope for stormwater runoff around your property, or when a rain or storm control basin nearby spills.
Is Flood Damage Covered By Insurance?
It’s a misconception that homeowners’ insurance will cover flood damage. Flood damage is most likely not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Although your policy typically covers water damage, it will not pay for expenses associated with a flood event.
It’s also critical to keep in mind that flood damage and water damage repair are two distinct things when it comes to insurance.
A homeowner will need a separate flood insurance policy if his or her house is damaged by natural catastrophes such as storms and flooding. If you live in an area where floods are common, you’ll want to get a separate flood insurance policy.