Frequently Asked Questions from our readers
Question. What season is the riskiest for water damage?
Answer. Depending on where you live in the country, each season drives diffferent risks for water damage to your home. Winter snow and frozen pipes; Spring rains and flooding; Summer vacation absences; Autumn has lots and lots of leaves combined with rainier weather. Late Autumn is a great time to clean out your gutters. Wind and rain from Autumn storms bring down a lot of leaves. You want to make sure there aren't any blockages that could force water out of your gutters hurting your exterior or even worse force water into your home causing water damage. Check your ceilings, walls, floors, and window sills for signs of a leak, such as stains or discoloration, peeling pain, and musty odors. Leaks are common around chimneys, plumbing and attic vents. Preventive maintenance can save you a lot of money and preven enormous hassles.
Question. Why wouldn't I report this incident to my insurance company?
Answer. What is the number one reason for filing a claim on your homeowner's policy? It is not fire. It's water damage. According to the NW Insurance Council, the average water damage claim exceeds $4,000. If your water damage is severe you should contact your insurer right away. We all maintain insurance for such abnormal events which we cannot afford. But if you file a claim for water damage, it could have consequences on your premiums on that house for years to come. However, most water damage repair needs are confined to a specific area of the home. Most insurance policies have deductibles of $500, $1000, $2000 or more. In many water damage cases such as leaks and spills, the cost for restoration and repair may well be under or under your deductible level. Why file a claim with your insurer and damage your record with the insurance company (which keeps your insurance costs low) when you are only going to get a small check from them. Save it for the hurricane or the earthquake save it for the sustained roof leak or the discovery of toxic mold.
Question. Can I use my own dehumidifier instead of calling a water damage restoration professional?
Answer. Maybe, if your damage is confined to the area of a small closet or you happen to own a large industrial dehumidifier which professionals use, you can try. You would also need several industrial fans to circulate the air in the effected area in a circle around the room. Otherwise, I am sorry to say that I would recommend calling a pro. Why take the chance.
Question. How do I know if I have water leaking in or a condensation problem with my wall?
Answer. One test of a water leak from a wall is to tape some plastic or some aluminum foil to the place you think the water is coming from. Securely tape each side of the plastic or foil. Give it a few days and check it. If you see moisture on the outside of the plastic or foil then your basement has a moisture issue. If, on the other hand, you see that moisture has formed inside the plastic or foil between the wall, you can be pretty sure that you have a wall leak.
Question. What can I do if my neighbor caused my water damage?
Answer. If your neighbor leaves their sprinkler or hose running too long or their water pipe is allowed to get old or clogged or leak continuously, it could result in water damage to your own property for which your neighbor is legally responsible. When your neighbor is careless or acts unreasonably with water causing damage to your property, it is possible to sue for compensation for your losses. One would hope that the neighbor puts a stop to the source of the water, but if not, one can also ask the court to order a stop to your neighbor's actions. Of course, as in all things involving your neighbors, it is probably wise to save legal recourse as a backup to simply going to your neighbor's house to talk about the problem.
Question. Which appliances should I look out for to prevent water damage to my home? And how much will I probably end up paying?
Answer. If you are asking me this then you must be more in a prevention mindset than a cleanup mindset. Lucky you. Safeco, a large national insurance company did a survey involving over a million customers. They found that the appliances which caused the most cases of water damage were hot water tanks and washing machines. This was followed by refrigerators with ice units, dishwashers, and attic based air conditioners. It also seems that average costs of repairs were heavy - around $5000 dollars. Hopefully this gives you an idea of just keeping an eye on these appliances and making sure to maintain them regularly. A big part of the problem is where we choose to place our appliances. In the old days hot water tanks and washing machines might have been in the basement or in the garage where the damage from a leak could be contained. Today we put them in closets or spaces adjacent to family areas on the main floor of our house increasing the risk of water damage. It's a good idea to inspect the water hoses to your washer a couple of times a year. Better yet, replace those old rubber hoses with braided steel hoses. Consider doing the same thing for your dishwasher hoses.
Question. I own a 100 year-old house and we finished the basement last year. Even though I never had problems with water leaks, water did come into the basement from the walls after extensive rain this spring. Do I need to get my basement waterproofed with like a sump pump and trench system?
Answer. I wouldn't rush out and spend money on a water-proofer just yet. You could end up getting soaked (pardon the pun). I recommend that you call your home inspector to inspect the perimeter of your home and see if water is accumulating around your foundation. Primarily, the problem you describe is not caused by a rising water table, which is the problem that a sump pump is most helpful to solve.
Additional reading:
We appreciate your comments! Help us improve this site by sharing any additional information you would like to see here about water damage repair and restoration; unaddressed questions you have; or other helpful comments. Thank you and good luck with your water damage repair challenge! Remember better safe than sorry!