Hurricane season can be a dangerous time for anyone living near the coast. There is always a threat of flooding, and you have to be prepared for the disaster it will cause. However, you also have to fix everything after the damage is done.
If flooding is a major issue in your region, you have come to the right place. Here is a complete guide that will help you understand flood damage and the repairs you can make.
What consists of Flood Damage?
Before we move on to repairs, it is important to know how flood damage can impact your home and its structural integrity. For example, cement and wood structures can have a negative impact, as the water will damage your flooring and furniture. Let’s understand both:
Concrete Damage
Remember that concrete is water resilient, and it can withstand a lot of water. However, it gets damaged when there is flooding underneath the ground where the concrete is poured. Because of this, there can be visible cracks in your concrete slabs.
On the other hand, if the ground becomes too saturated with water, then the concrete walls can tend to shift. Such a movement can lead to the breaking down and crumbling of the concrete. This leads to a significant difference in ground stability and level.
Wooden Flooring And Furniture
Almost all homeowners have wooden furniture or flooring. While hardwood floors can be highly resistant to water damage, softwood doesn’t have much resilience. It will soak up all the flood water fast, and this will lead to problems, such as:
- Breakdown of the flooring glue
- Wooden plank swelling
- Expansion and buckling of planks
- Cupping of plank edges
- Molding
Whether you have wooden furniture or flooring, these are the top ways in which the wood will react to the flood water. It is important to prepare before the floods. However, if it is too late, there are still things you can do to prevent excess damage to the flooring and furniture.
Effects Of Flood Water In Basement And Wood Flooring
Flood damage can wreak havoc on your wood flooring and basement. The biggest problem of basement flooding is that it causes cracks in the foundation of your home. Because of this, the structural integrity of your home will be seriously compromised.
On the other hand, if there is wooden flooring, beams, and other wooden items, the water damage can cause them to rot. Many people also have their water heater and HVAC system situated in the basement. If that is the case with your home, the water and moisture can cause a premature system failure.
While you can replace most of the systems, there is also a risk to your health. Damp areas in the basement can lead to issues such as mildew, mold, fungus, and much more. If left untreated, these problems can cause respiratory and health issues.
Electrical shock is also a big risk if there are wires or other electrical components in the basement. You must keep all of these things in mind to prevent your basement and wooden flooring from water damage. Wooden flooring can swell, break, rot, or crumble after coming into contact with water.
You must immediately call a professional when you spot these problems. They will help fix the issue before more damage can be caused. In the case of garages, a way to avoid issues with water is by using a garage door threshold water barrier.
Types Of Flood Damage
Now that you are familiar with the water damage to concrete, wood, and basement, it is crucial to know the various types of flood damage. These include:
1. Cosmetic Flood Damage
As the name suggests, cosmetic flood damage means that the appearance of your home will be affected by the flood damage. The flood will enter your home and walls, which can lead to such damage. These include:
- Discoloration of ceilings and walls
- The speckling of the walls
- Swelling of drywall
- Blistering of drywall
- Deterioration of wooden trims
- Paint discoloration
- Carpet and flooring damage
- Watermarks on furniture
- And more
You can easily replace or repair most of the cosmetic damage in the home. However, if some of the objects are affected too much, then you must remove the materials from home.
2. Electrical Damage
The electrical system in your home, including the appliances and devices, will be affected by flood damage. For example, damaged wiring can lead to power outages and surges that will cause various issues in the home. If there is significant electrical damage, we recommend that you avoid entering that area unless you call the fire department or a professional electrician.
You can tell that the flood has caused electrical damage to your home in many ways. These include:
- Buzzing wires and appliances
- Power surges
- Power outages
- Frequent tripping
- And much more
You must avoid the area where there is electrical damage and call a licensed professional. They will take care of the issue and guarantee that your home is safe again.
3. Mold Buildup
Mold is perhaps one of the worst effects of flood damage on the home. The worst part is that mildew can develop within two days if the water damage is too extensive. Besides that, removing the mold after its growth is expensive and challenging.
Of course, if you leave it untreated, it can have the worst health effects on your body as it spreads through the air. Some common problems that mold causes include:
- Chronic coughing
- Sinus congestion
- Shortness of breath
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Weakness and fatigue
- Headache
All of these problems can indicate that you might have mold growth in the home after flood damage. If you notice mold growth in the home, you must immediately call a professional to remove it safely.
Swollen Walls/Ceilings/Door Casings – Another sign of flood water damage is when the parts of the interior of the home begin to swell up due to a collection of moisture into the wood. Bubbled walls, doors that have trouble closing can indicate a water leak that needs to be taken care of.
Wallpaper/Baseboards/Trim Separating from Walls – Excess moisture can cause wallpaper to lose its adhesive and peel while a water leak can cause the walls/ceiling to swell slightly to the point that baseboards or wall trim begins to buckle away from the area.
“Sweating” Walls – When a leak is in the beginning stages before the mold, watermarks and so forth, the excess moisture can oftentimes present itself as “sweating” walls. The moisture as it condenses begins to clump together, dripping down the ceilings and walls, indicating ceiling or roof water damage that could become a bigger issue if not properly repaired in a timely manner.
4. Structural Damage
Finally, your home can also have structural damage after a flood. For example, wood is a natural and porous material, which means it will soak up the water that comes into contact. When that happens, the wood swells.
Such swelling can lead to the structural components in your home warping, bending, and more. These issues can lead to the weakening of the structural integrity of your home. If you leave it for long enough, the wood will also begin rotting.
In the long run, this can lead to cracked walls, warped flooring, sagging foundations, etc. We recommend that you contact a professional to guarantee that this damage is not too significant to your property.
The Cost Of Flood Damage Repair In Homes
The cost of flood damage repair will make or break your decision to opt for restoration. According to HomeAdvisor, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,300 and $5,400 for water damage restoration. Of course, there will be different factors that will affect the cost of restoration.
These include:
1. Category Of Water Damage
As a professional, there are three ways to classify the water damage in a home. Each category will identify the level of contamination in the water and cleanliness after leakage or flood. These include:
- Category One: Clean water. It will be the most affordable to remove. The cost can come to $3 to $4/sq. ft.
- Category Two: Gray water. It will pose a slight health risk and cost more than the above. It can cost you between $4 and $6.5/sq. ft.
- Category Three: Black water. It is the most hazardous with the highest restoration cost. Expect to pay more than $7/sq. ft.
The professional will come to your home, assess the category, and let you know what damage is in your home.
2. Type Of Damage
The type of damage in the home will also affect the cost. For example, the types of damage include cosmetic, electrical, structural, and mold. Here are estimates of the various repair costs according to the type of damage:
- Cosmetic: $150 to $1,000
- Electrical: $1,200 to $3,000
- Mold: $1,500 to $4,000
- Structural: $1,500 to $10,000
Keep this in mind, as the more extensive the damage is, the more it will cost you.
3. Labor
The labor that will be used to restore the water damage will also add to your cost. On average, labor costs can vary anywhere between $700 and $200 an hour. Of course, the cost will also depend on the extent of the damage and what the company will have to do to restore the damage.
For example, simple pumping out of water will cost less than fixing the structural integrity of your property. Different labor will be required for both jobs, as the latter one will require the labor to be experts at what they do.
How to get your insurance to pay for your water damage
That was your complete guide to the flood damage repairs and how much it can cost you to restore the damage. It is always better to prevent such damage and take precautions to reduce the damage as much as you can.
If it is too late, then you must contact a professional company to assess the damage in your home and offer you a solution. Once you do, the damage will be reversed, and you will live in a safe and healthy home in no time.
Follow these tips to get your insurance to cover your damage:
https://clovered.com/water-damage-insurance-claim-tips/
https://www.candsins.com/blog/how-to-get-insurance-to-pay-for-water-damage/ https://exceladjusters.com/water-claims-adjuster-los-angeles/
