The Truth Behind Four Common Water Damage Myths
Posted on: 9 July 2015
Water damage is one of those things that few homeowners think about until it happens to them. Many times, those homeowners are surprised to find out that some of the things they've assumed or heard about dealing with water damage aren't true. Luckily, you can save yourself hours of frustration and the possibility of further damage to your house by learning the truth about some of the myths that you may be familiar with. Here are a few of those myths that you should be aware of.
Myth: Your First Call Should Go to the Insurance Company
Truth: If your home is suffering from water damage, you want to address the source of the water first. Any delay in dealing with the water is going to increase the risk of damage in the house. If your water damage issues are caused by plumbing damage, you'll want to call a plumber right away to have it fixed. You may even want to shut off the water line so that you're not adding more water to the area. Then, reach out to a water damage remediation specialist who can start drawing the water out of your house. Once you have these steps in motion, you can call your insurance company to find out what your coverage limits are and how you should address the claim.
Myth: Homeowners Insurance Covers Flood Damage
Truth: If the water damage you're experiencing is caused by flood waters, you may not have coverage under your homeowners insurance. You'll have to carry a separate flood insurance policy to cover damage caused by floods. Even a couple of inches of water can cause thousands of dollars in structural damage, so it's important to make sure that you're protected. If your insurance carrier tells you your home is in a flood-rated area, you should purchase a flood insurance policy.
Myth: I Have to Use the Service Providers Recommended by the Insurance Company
Truth: You have the right to choose any restoration company you'd like for your repairs. In many cases, insurance companies have preferred vendors because they've negotiated for easy billing and resolution of claims with those vendors, but that doesn't mean that you have to use them.
Myth: I Can Just Clean My Carpets after a Black Water or Sewage Issue
Truth: If your water damage is caused by sewage or contaminated water, also called black water, you shouldn't simply clean the carpets. Instead, your carpets will need to be removed because the subfloor must be disinfected with a commercial cleaner before new carpet is applied. Otherwise, your floors will harbor bacteria that could make you and your family sick.
It's in your best interest to work with a professional water damage remediation company for water damage cleanup because the lingering damage from water saturation can be hazardous to your home and your health. Now that you know the truth about several myths related to water damage issues, you can address your home's water damage problems safely and properly.
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