Did you know floods are ranked as the #1 natural disaster in the United States? Regardless of if you stay near a water body or not, flooding can still occur for various reasons.
Read on as we explore tips and facts about water damage.
Causes of water damage
- Man-made causes
When most people think of floods, they consider only a body of water overflowing and making its way to residential areas. Man-made causes of floods also exist and may even cause more floods than natural causes. These could be from overflowing tubs and sinks, broken pipes, damaged appliances, faulty sprinkler systems, and so on. Whether there’s a large or small pool of water generated, your home could still get damaged.
- Natural causes
Snow melting, hurricanes, heavy rains, and severe thunderstorms can cause water levels to rise and flood their surroundings. Natural causes of floods are quite common and can affect mostly homeowners who stay around these bodies of water.
Some water damage facts include;
- Two feet of rushing water can carry a car away.
- The total flood insurance claims for the last 10 years is over $3.4 billion per year
- Houses located in high-risk flood areas suffer more water damage than fire damage.
- The average cost of a plumbing system supply failure is $5, 092
Water damage tips for prevention;
- Inspect commonly used systems like the toilet, sinks, and showers every 6 months.
- Inspect the entire plumbing system every year.
- Call on a home contractor to inspect your roofing yearly, too.
- When any form of water damage occurs, ensure safety first by turning off the power at the electrical panel, shutting off the main water supply, and avoid using any electrical appliance or tools until you fix the water damage.
- When freezing temperatures occur, insulate pipes close to exterior walls and check frequently for leaks.
While water damage will need a plumber to fix your system, any structural damage will require a home restoration contractor.