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Storms vs Water Damage
4/25/2020 (Permalink)
Storm damage differs from damage caused by other water sources in several significant ways. Water damage tends to result from plumbing issues such pipe breaks. Storm damage tends to be caused by heavy rains, high winds or flooded municipal mains and may result in damage to the interior. Here are a few broad distinctions between storm damage, such as flooding, and other water-related damage.External Versus Internal
Storm damage tends to come from outside a home. This damage may originate from any of the following sources:
• Floods
• Roof leaks
• Broken windows
Other forms of damage caused by water tend to be plumbing-related and caused by internal systems. External water may be Category Two or Category Three depending on the source, whereas water from a supply line break is clean, treated Category One water.
Flooding or Leaks
Flood water is considered highly contaminated Category Three water. Flood damage may affect a crawlspace, basement or ground level of a residence and increase the risk of mold growth and structural damage. Water from a roof leak may be slightly less contaminated, but can still cause irreparable damage to porous building materials such as drywall or insulation.
Secondary Damage
Any type of damage that involves water will increase the risk of certain types of secondary damage. Mold growth is the most common consequence of water or storm damage. Mitigation and restoration professionals can quickly eliminate primary damage and minimize secondary damage.
These are a few major distinctions between storm and water damage. Another important factor to consider is that flooding is usually excluded from standard homeowners policies, whereas many other types of water and storm-related damage are covered perils. If you are concerned that exposure to flood water will cause damage at a residence in San Diego you should obtain a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer.