If you don’t live in an area that is prone to natural flooding, such as a valley or the coast, you may underestimate your own vulnerability. However, flooding can result from a variety of events — not just hurricanes or torrential rains. Other common hazards include sewage systems and drainage problems that cause flooding in neighborhoods where you would never expect it otherwise. This puts most homes at risk of related water damage.
The fact is that any volume of standing water can cause serious damage to your home or business (yes, even if it’s only an inch or two!). That means anything that causes any sort of water build-up can have costly repercussions – especially considering many insurance policies don’t offer protection for water damage caused by flooding.
What’s at Risk?
If not cleaned up quickly, standing water in your home can compromise your home’s foundation, warp floors, spread mold, and possibly cause severe structural or electrical damage. Equipment outside or in the garage and anything close to the floor in your home could easily be ruined beyond repair: lawnmowers, photo albums, televisions, and more. Without an adequate insurance policy, the stress and emotional and financial costs of cleaning up after any degree of flooding can be serious.
For homeowners looking to put their home on the market, the risks are even worse. Frequent flooding in an area can scare buyers away and lower prices, and any sort of water damage, warping, or mold build-up is a huge problem for those trying to sell. Despite the time and financial investment required for repairs, it’s crucial that sellers clean up any damage and make all necessary repairs before putting their house on the market (and especially before undergoing a home inspection).
