Preventing and Addressing Water Damage in Homes and Businesses
Water damage in homes and businesses is a significant, costly problem. For families, it’s an unexpected inconvenience that comes with a financial burden. For businesses, it has immediate impacts on productivity and revenue. Whether a burst main line, a clogged drain, or weather-related storms cause the issue, a professional restoration services company knows how to settle your water damage claim and restore things to normal quickly.
Call your certified, local restoration contractor to maximize your claim and fix your property damage correctly.
They can handle your claim start to finish, and get you back to normal as soon as possible. Trust a professional restoration service provider to do the job right and make your property safe to occupy again.
Four Main Ways Water Gets in Your Home
Most common water damage problems are preventable. It’s not great for those who discover water damage, but checking your heaters, AC, and plumbing can significantly help to reduce the risk of water flooding your property. But if it does happen, call a local professional restoration contractor right away.
Understanding the primary sources of water intrusion in both residential and commercial settings can help property owners reduce their risk and make informed decisions about water damage remediation.
- Damaged or Bad Pipes: Older plumbing is especially prone to leaks and failure. From tiny drips to frozen bursts, regular checks can catch problems before they may cause, or be the source of your water damage. Keep an eye on your water bill – if it’s unusually high, you might have a leak.
- Clogged Drains: Stuff can get stuck in drains, leading to backups and potential water damage. Cleaning them and watching goes down the drain can help prevent future issues.
- Broken Appliances: Dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters can leak or break and cause water damage. While manufacturers include safety features, they don’t always work. A single malfunction can release gallons of water in minutes.
- Sprinkler Systems: Sprinkler and irrigation systems can develop underground leaks, causing water to pool near the property’s foundation. Cold weather can also freeze these systems and burst them. Take care of your sprinkler system and turn off the water supply before freezing temperature forecasts in your area.
What Happens When Water Gets In
Even when you take good care of your home, you may experience an unexpected flood or water damage situation. It’s usually less money to fix the damage and restore your home back to pre-loss condition than to rebuild everything. Professional restoration services can stop the damage from worsening, inspect the property, and help determine your best options.
Immediate Impacts:
- Furniture, clothes, and carpets get ruined.
- Electronics break or get damaged.
- Valuable collectibles, heirlooms and things that you own get messed up.
Long-term Consequences:
- Mold growth and contamination
- Structural damage or deterioration
- Diminished property value
- Increased insurance premiums
Commercial Water Damage: What Business Owners Should Know
Facility managers need to inspect and maintain properties regularly. The causes of commercial water damage are similar to those in homes, but the impact can be worse due to the presence of expensive equipment, machines, and documents on-site. Additionally, extra costs associated with water damage at your business may include: 1) liability and legal fees, 2) loss of rental income, 3) increased vacancy rates, 4) decreased property value, and 5) higher cleanup costs for contaminated water.
- Roofs: Leaky roofs cause are responsible for approximately 15% of commercial water damage claims. Bad drainage and ice need to be fixed before they cause trouble.
- Toilets: Buildings with many floors often experience toilet-related issues due to frequent use and more complex plumbing.
- Fire-Suppression Sprinklers: Sprinklers that go off by accident can ruin electronics and machines quickly, causing about 14% of commercial water damage claims. Proper inspection and maintenance can reduce the risk of accidental activations.
- Empty Buildings: Water problems happen more in empty buildings. Leaks and clogs go unnoticed and can become severe. Turn off the water and check the building often.
Get Back to Normal Fast, With Restoration Contractors and Billing Experts
A local restoration contractor (Whom You Choose) specializes in restoring properties damaged by water, fire, mold, or other storm-related disasters. These experts handle the complexities of water damage, from assessing the extent of the damage to coordinating necessary repairs.
Hiring a restoration contractor who understands the nuances of your water damage claim helps restore your property efficiently. They also, use IICRC standards of care to help prevent secondary damages. Their knowledge and experience allow them to work with your insurance claims adjuster to support a maximum reimbursement for inspected damages. Their expertise in both the restoration process and insurance processes means they can organize your claim from start to finish, reducing your stress and helping you get back to normal as soon as possible.
Trust professional restoration service providers. They know how to remediate the risks associated with water damage, ensuring your property is safe and sound again.
Need Emergency Services?
Call your local, IICRC-certified, restoration contractor today.
Water Damage FAQs
Does house insurance pay for water damage? Most insurance cover for accidents like broken pipes or bad appliances. Flood damage usually needs special flood insurance.
Does renter’s insurance pay for water damage? Check your insurance papers or ask your agent.
Should I tell my insurance if I have water damage? See how bad the damage is and talk to your local restoration service providers.
Does business insurance pay for water damage? Check your policy for specific coverage details.
By Jason D. Myers
Co-Owner, Restoration Insurance Billing, LLC – RiB: “We Get Your Invoices Paid”
IICRC Certified WRT, TCST
Jason understands the life of a contractor because he lived it firsthand. Growing up, he helped his father with remodeling projects, from floors to kitchens and bathrooms. His father, now 70, still works, which instilled a strong work ethic in Jason. Jason is dedicated to ensuring restoration contractors get paid fairly and have more time for their families. He worked a combined eleven years of door-to-door alarm/pest control sales, and earned a business degree from Northern Iowa University. Raised in Oregon, Jason enjoyed sports, played NCAA college soccer, and coaching recreational teams. He now lives in Arizona with his wife, three children, and their golden retriever, Mikey.
