Dealing with a water-related disaster in your home is the last thing you want to be doing. Whether the incident was from a frozen pipe that busted, a flooded basement due to a storm, or from the washing machine going crazy, water damage can be a hassle to handle, can end up being costly, and if not treated quickly, can impact the air quality within your home and you and your family’s health.
One question many people have when in the midst of a huge water damage crisis is whether or not their homeowners insurance cover the cost.
The answer is...it really just depends. Each insurance company is completely different and there are so many variables they must consider when it comes to paying out.
Standard homeowner insurance will cover “common perils or disasters” that can affect homes. The Insurance Information Institute gives a list of these perils on a basic HO-1 policy:
Fire and smoke
Lightning strikes
Windstorms and hail
Explosion
Vandalism and malicious mischief
Damage from an aircraft, car or vehicle
Theft
Falling objects
Weight of ice, snow or sleet
Water damage
Now, if you are wanting additional coverages, these are offered through a HO-2 or HO-3 policy (you can see these differences by clicking on the Insurance Information Institute link above.
A flood coming from the outside due to weather is not usually covered and you will have to ask your insurance company if they offer a separate policy for flood insurance. This will vary from company to company and state to state. You can read more about specific flood insurance policies by clicking here.
Another important thing to know: If the water damage is caused by neglect or general deterioration, for example if you failed to replace a part and it started rusting and caused a flood, that will more than likely not be covered.
What should you do if you have water damage?
Call your insurance company immediately and discuss your coverages. The representative will be able to inform you of the process.
Or even better...call them NOW to be proactive and ensure that you have the proper coverages that you need before a water disaster strikes!
If you are in need of some assistance with your water damage cleanup and it becomes too much for you to handle, don’t worry—Restoration Certified Specialists, Inc. will take care of you! They have been proudly serving the Santa Rosa and North Bay areas since 1975.
You may have or may have not done everything in your power to prevent frozen pipes this winter...yet it still happened. You have a frozen pipe on your hand and need to figure out how to deal with it before damage ensues.
First, how do you even identify whether or not a pipe in your home is frozen?
These are some of the signs:
Water is not running through the pipes with full efficiency and flow like it normally would...or not running at all.
You notice frost accumulating on the pipe, which will more than likely happen if it an exposed pipe.
You may also notice a bulge in one particular area of the pipe if there is a blockage.
There could be a strange and musty smell coming from the pipe from water sitting inside.
If you notice one of these signs, make sure that your water is still actually on and rule out any leaks. If all is good in those respects, you may have a frozen pipe(s).
Your two options are:
Hire a professional
Do-it-yourself
If you are reading this article, you must be wondering how one would go about unfreezing a pipe at home without hiring a professional, but whether you will choose to do this depends on your level of experience and comfort. Of course, doing this yourself can definitely be quick and cost-effective; however, if something goes wrong and you are not very experienced with plumbing, you could be handing over a pretty penny to repair everything.
Let’s take a look at the recommended steps from Bob Vila to unfreezing your frosty pipes.
First and foremost, turn off the water supply to that specific pipe or to the entire house if necessary and check for any cracks or damage to the pipe you are working with. If this step is neglected, once the frost thaws and the water starts flowing again, you and your floor may end up covered in H20.
Next, make sure your faucets have all been opened and drained before you start heating things up.
Once you have identified the frozen pipe(s) and done some damage control, you can use warmth in more than one way to begin thawing it out. A hairdryer, space heater, or warm towel or blanket can help assist you with this process. Do not use anything flammable! The last thing you want is a fire. Do not leave any heat source unattended while thawing.
It is recommended to start thawing closest to the faucet then work your way down.
When the water supply has been turned back on, make sure you check for any leaks or damage; if this is the case, you will more than likely need to contact a professional at this point...you have done all you can do, unless you have plumbing experience.
Unfortunately, we cannot always prevent every frozen or leaky pipe or fix everything that comes your way; if you happen to be in the middle of a winter-weather home disaster, don’t worry—Restoration Certified Specialists, Inc. will take care of you! They have been proudly serving the Santa Rosa and North Bay areas since 1975.
We are in the middle of the winter season, where the weather can be unpredictable and in certain areas of Sonoma County it can get rather chilly. Many residential floods in the winter are caused by frozen pipes that burst; this happens because water expands as it freezes, putting pressure on pipes, and no matter how strong your pipes are, they will burst if care isn’t taken during the winter months.
According the The Red Cross, pipes that freeze most frequently are:
Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.
Even if none of these factors pertain to you and your home, you are not necessarily immune to frozen pipes.
The following are precautions you can take in order to prevent a disaster:
Start with simply insulating and keeping your home warm, especially areas in which your pipes reside. If you have a crawlspace, attic, or basement, ensure that these areas of your home are properly insulated, which will not only help prevent frozen pipes but also help reduce your energy bill.
Never turn your heat off. Regardless if you are home or not, keep the temperature at least 55 degrees. And Consumer Reports does not recommend turning the heat down overnight to save a few bucks.
Everyone has heard of this one: Keep your faucet dripping, especially overnight and especially if the source from the pipe is exposed to the elements.
If you have a specific room that is prone to frozen pipes or you are concerned, keep a space heater on in that area while you are home.
Doors make a difference. Opening cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around your kitchen and bathroom pipes and keeping doors closed to drafty areas, such as the garage, can make a world of difference.
Drain excess water. Home Depot recommends disconnecting hoses and draining water from those pipes that are accessed outdoors.
In the next article, we will discuss what to do when you have located a frozen pipe and how to unfreeze it yourself without calling in the professionals.
Unfortunately, we cannot always prevent every frozen or leaky pipe; if you happen to be in the middle of a winter-weather home disaster, don’t worry—Restoration Certified Specialists, Inc. will take care of you! They have been proudly serving the Santa Rosa and North Bay areas since 1975.
It’s winter. You’re safe from mold…
Or so you think!
Mold growth doesn’t only happen during hot and humid months. Winter is also a time of year in which mildew and mold can flourish, especially when you crank up that heater. There are a few different causes of winter mold growth and some easy as pie ways to keep your home free of the unhealthy and pesky fungi. One key thing to remember is that preventing a moldy situation is much less time-consuming and cost-effective than dealing with an already moldy situation.
The following are common sources of mold that can grow during the colder months.
The trapped heat
Condensation on window sills and on walls and fog on windows
Dead and decaying matter from outside (leaves, plants, dirt)
Wetness coming from the outside in (rain, snow, sleet, mud)
Winter storms
Frozen pipes that burst and cause water damage
Now that you are aware of some of the ways your home can be a host for mildew and mold during winter, be prepared to become proactive and take the necessary steps to winterize your home.
The EPA recommends the following:
Ventilation and dehumidifying are key! Run the exhaust fan in your bathroom and kitchen when those rooms are in use, keep the ceiling fan on low, and when it is wet outside, turn a dehumidifier on in rooms with windows to the outside. Condensation and dampness are much more likely to happen in rooms that have windows and even though they may be sealed, moisture can still creep in.
Inspect for leaks and cracks which will allow moisture to enter into your home and obviously dry and repair these immediately if dampness and damage are found.
Examine all areas that have potential access to outside air such as a basement, attic, or crawlspace. Even if these areas have been professionally sealed off or insulated, it is beneficial to do an all-over check at least twice a year. You can also run a dehumidifier in these areas as well.
Inspect these areas for damage after a winter storm: roof, gutters, downspouts, siding, windows, and doors.
Cover water pipes with insulation. It’ll be like being wrapped up in a cozy, warm blanket.
If the weather isn’t too cold, open doors or windows to add in extra air circulation.
Just because the winter months are among us, does not mean that we are safe from mildew and mold. These fungi flourish on warmth and moisture and are on the hunt for somewhere to thrive. Don’t let that place be your home!
If you end up having a winter mold situation and are in need of a cleanup and restoration specialist, don’t worry—Restoration Certified Specialists, Inc. will take care of you! They have been proudly serving the Santa Rosa and North Bay areas since 1975.
