Thursday, May 16, 2013

Water Damage Due to Flooding Amelia Island

By Jodie Rose


Flooding and water damage in Amelia Island can occur at any time of year and you must always be diligent in taking care of your property, your home and family. With hurricane season approaching you need to be on alert and prepared at all times for the types of problems water, wind, and sometimes fire will cause to your home. Hopefully this year you'll be lucky enough to escape unscathed, but you should always be prepared for the worst. As a home owner there are many things you can do to prepare.

Although we cannot fight against Mother Nature, we can protect ourselves during the event. The first thing you should do before any storm is check your insurance policies and make sure you have the proper coverage for any type of catastrophe. Knowing whether you are covered and for what type of events you are covered for, will save you a lot of heart ache at a time that might already be very stressful. Review your insurance policy in detail with your agent. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of question until you understand your policy completely. You might have coverage for fire, but not if caused during a natural catastrophe such as a hurricane

Just as hurricanes are not the only cause of water damage and flooding, water itself can be categorized in a few different ways. Understanding the different types of damage you have is crucial. We always prep for the big storm, but small things can happen along the way that will cause us water damage as well. We should be aware of the different types of water damage and how they affect us.

There are 3 types of water damage:

A number 1 type category is considered clean water and comes from common water resources like hot water heaters, sink or facet plumbing, and bathtub overflows. A professional emergency water damage restoration company can remove the water and typically salvage most of the affected property as long the recovery process starts as immediately as possible. Note that a Category 1 loss can change to a Category 2 loss if not addressed quickly.

Category 2 losses occur when the damage originates from a water source that is not "clean", and has the potential to cause sickeness if ingested. Common causes for this category might include damage from aquariums, flooding from a washing machine or dishwasher, and toilet overflows that do not contain any solid matter feces. Once again keep in your mind that this category if not corrected in a timely manner can lead to category 3.

Category 3 clearly the worst will include external water including seawater, rivers, streams, etc., any sewage (raw or treated), toilet backflows that originate beyond the toilet trap, and any water entering a structure from a weather related event (hurricanes, storms, flash flood). Exposure to Category 3 water poses a significant health risk whether ingested or not and professional help should be sort after.

Heavy storms often lead to floodwater damage on property including homes. What's more, broken and leaking pipes, damaged water hoses, malfunctioning equipment, and blocked drains may also cause water damage. Indeed, stagnant water is a worrisome issue for most homeowners. Contaminated water, such as sewage, is unsanitary and a health hazard by nature. Still, even clean water can encourage the growth of mold and mildew if left standing for a number of days. In light of this, flood damage restoration is necessary to remove stagnated water, dry existing moisture patches, and prevent future occurrences of water damage.

The key to minimizing loss and accelerating recovery from these types of water related incidents is to promptly seek professional help. Trying to deal with these types of situations with a shop vac and towels isn't the smartest approach both from a health perspective and a salvage perspective.




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