You might think it would be easy to detect water damage in your home sometimes it is obvious, but often the damage is hidden between the walls, under the floorboards or even the exterior of the house. As a homeowner, it’s important to be vigilant and plan regular checks that will save you time and money.
Places to Check:
- Check the Exterior. Walk the perimeter of your home. Check gutters and downspouts and make sure they are properly attached and diverting water away from your home. Check to make sure your gutters are clear of leaves. Look for any pooling of water around your foundation. Look at exterior windows and check for cracks or any separation. Look at the roof … do you have any missing shingles or flashing?
- Check the Wall & Ceilings. The easiest place to see water damage is on the walls and ceilings. Walk through your house with a flashlight to carefully inspect all the surfaces looking for stains. Sheetrock will become soft to the touch and begin to sag if there is water. Check the windows and trim for cracks. Check for sheetrock cracks. Any suspicious stains should be taken seriously and investigated. You could have a leaky pipe or drain inside the wall or on the exterior.
- Check the Floors. Water can seep under any type of floor and down to the subfloor. Check the floorboards for warping or buckling. If the floor looks warped, water damage is most likely the cause. Also be wary of white or dark stains on wood floors, damp carpeting, or a general smell of dampness and mold.
- Check the Pipes. Inspect the pipes in your bathroom, laundry and kitchen areas. Look at the pipe connectors and check for signs of stains or dampness. Check for mold and missing caulk.
- Check the Appliances. Look behind your refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, hot water heater, washing machine, toilets, etc. Check the connectors and hoses for signs of wear and replace as needed.
- Check the Attic. Look for stains, mold, and other signs of leaks. Check the insulation … it should be dry. Pay special attention to the valleys where two roof planes come together. Check the flashing where the roof meets the walls and the flashing around roof vents and chimneys.
If You Find Water Damage
- If you can, try to determine the source.
- Try to prevent further damage by shutting off your home’s water supply or malfunctioning appliance.
- Contact your insurance agent to determine the proper steps. It’s important to work closely with your agent and the clean-up and restoration process to ensure your claim will be covered and handled properly.
- Take some quick photos or video of the damaged areas. Begin a list of items damaged.
- It’s important to remove any standing water to prevent further damage. Your agent may advise contacting a water restoration company to begin this process.
- Do not throw any items away until they have been inspected by an insurance agent. Water soaked items can be removed, after documentation, and placed in a dry, well-ventilated area.
- Keep a log of all your activities. This will help if the insurance company has any questions.
- Keep all your receipts. You will need to provide documentation in order to be reimbursed for expenses.
- Keep your agent informed throughout the restoration process so there are no surprises.
Plan regular checks of your home to help stop water damage before it starts. Set a reminder to check your home both inside and out every spring and fall.
Make sure you understand what your insurance policy covers regarding water damage. At Bennie Camp Insurance, we can help you determine the best homeowners policy to meet all your needs and make sure you are covered. Call us at 979.764.5955 or email info@benniecampinsurance.com.